Project Overview

The NATURE+ initiative was a comprehensive program aimed at establishing nature-positive production systems through circular economy approaches. Work Package 4, a key component of this initiative, specifically focused on developing sustainable agricultural practices and circular economy solutions in Maharashtra.

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Athena's Role

Athena took a leading position in Work Package 4 while contributing to other aspects of the NATURE+ initiative. Their work encompassed three main areas:

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• Value Chain Analysis: Conducted detailed mapping and prioritization of agricultural chains related to waste management, resulting in a technical report on agri-food residues and recycling opportunities.
• Circular Economy Business Model Development: Led collaborative efforts with rural communities, universities, and private sector stakeholders to create gender-friendly and sustainable business models. This included empirical case analysis and documentation of successful models for rural and peri-urban settings.
• Primary Research and Climate Change Assessment: Performed on-site visits in Maharashtra to study existing Nature+ practices among farmers and understand their socio-economic patterns and preferences. Additionally, conducted a comprehensive literature review on circular economy practices' role in climate change adaptation and mitigation, which informed strategic interventions and policy recommendations.

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For more project details, reach out to Trapti Malviya.

Image Credit: Shutterstock; for representational use only.