A €40,000 loan from Rewilding Europe Capital will support the expansion of nature-based tourism company Ambieduca in Portugal’s Greater Côa Valley. By enabling the refurbishment of new visitor accommodation, this investment will contribute to the region’s thriving nature-based economy.
Ricardo Pesqueira
Natural recovery leads to economic growth
Across Portugal’s Greater Côa Valley, natural restoration and restoration is helping to fuel the growth of an increasingly vibrant nature-based economy. As wildlife returns and landscapes become more wild, there is a surge in opportunities for local entrepreneurs to start and develop businesses that connect people with nature, support rural lives and livelihoods, and further advance rewilding.
This transformation is being strengthened by targeted financial support from Rewilding Europe Capital (Rewilding Europe’s corporate lending facility). This helps green businesses scale and amplify their beneficial impact. The most recent example is the provision of a €40,000 loan to Portuguese tourism company Ambieduca, helping the company diversify its activities and attract more visitors to one of the wildest regions of the Iberian Peninsula.
Increase positive business impact
Ambieduca was founded in 2018 by Marco Ferraz. Specializing in nature and cultural tourism, the company is based in Vilar de Amargo, a charming village in the northern part of the rewilding landscape of the Greater Côa Valley. Since founding the company, Marco has built a reputation as an outstanding guide who provides visitors with immersive experiences that connect them to the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
The loan from Rewilding Europe Capital will enable Marco to accelerate the renovation of a traditional house in Vilar de Amargo, which is expected to be ready by summer. This will complement the three houses in the village, called “Casas de Villar”, which he operates and which are already available for booking. Once restored, the property, named “Casas de Villar-Rewilding Spot”, will provide accommodation for up to four guests who want to explore the surrounding landscape. This expansion will also allow Ambieduca to hire additional staff from the community.
“This is the natural next step in the evolution of Ambieduca,” Marco said. “The opening of Casas de Villar-Rewilding Spot will allow us to further combine guided experiences with overnight stays to create an integrated nature tourism package that includes accommodation, food and outdoor activities.”
Joao Cosme
Filling the gap in the market
Tourism in Portugal has grown significantly in recent years and the Greater Côa Valley is gaining national and international recognition as a key destination for nature lovers. The region offers a variety of tourist experiences and accommodation, but these are unevenly distributed throughout the region. Accommodation is still limited in the northern part of the valley, especially in small rural villages such as Vilar de Amargo.
“Casas de Villar-Rewilding Spot will bridge this gap by providing visitors with a new place to stay, while also bringing economic benefits to a region characterized by rural depopulation,” explains Daniel Veríssimo, conservation finance expert at Rewilding Europe.
ambidextrous
ambidextrous
Harmony of nature and culture
With a background in biology, archeology and tourism, Marco leads a range of guided activities under the Ambieduca brand, from wildlife viewing and nature interpretation to tours exploring the valley’s famous prehistoric rock carvings. His experience blends storytelling about the region’s past with insight into its ecological future to help visitors understand natural restoration and how it reshapes the landscape.
Ambieduca regularly tours rewilding areas where the Rewilding Portugal team works to restore ecosystems and support the return of wildlife. Through these activities, Marco introduces guests to rewilding principles and highlights how restoring natural processes can benefit both nature and local communities. The company’s services are also available on Rewilding Europe’s tourism booking platform, Wilder Places. The platform connects travelers to authentic nature-based experiences across Europe’s rewilding landscapes and beyond.
ambidextrous
Building an active business network
Ambieduca is also part of the Wild Côa Network, a nature-based business network founded by Rewilding Portugal in 2021 and currently uniting around 60 local businesses. The initiative connects accommodation providers, nature guides, local producers and other businesses that promote local natural restoration. By working together, these companies are helping to restore the wildlife and landscapes of the Greater Côa Valley while boosting the local economy. To date, Rewilding Europe Capital has disbursed loans to three members of the network.
As part of the network, Marco has worked closely with the Rewilding Portugal team for many years. Companies like Ambieduca strengthen community pride in their local nature and build passionate support for rewilding, while demonstrating how rewilding can create new opportunities for rural entrepreneurs.
The bigger picture: helping nature and people thrive together
Across Rewilding Europe’s landscape, pioneering initiatives such as Rewilding Europe Capital and local nature-based business networks are helping to translate ecological restoration into tangible benefits for people. By supporting entrepreneurs who depend on healthy ecosystems, these plans ensure that natural restoration goes hand in hand with revitalizing rural economies.
Tourism platforms like Wilder Places are also playing an important role by connecting travelers with authentic experiences that support wilderness restoration efforts on the ground.
In the Greater Côa Valley, companies like Ambieduca are helping demonstrate how natural restoration can inspire innovation, create livelihoods, and attract visitors seeking meaningful relationships with wilderness.
Ricardo Pesqueira
cooperate with us
Entrepreneurs like Marco show us what is possible. If you are a European entrepreneur or organization looking to improve wild nature, Rewilding Europe Capital can help you realize your ambitions. For more information, please contact Daniel Veríssimo.
