Iwokrama

What Iwokrama does

Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development is an international not-for-profit organization established in 1996 under the Iwokrama Act of the Parliament of Guyana, co-founded by the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat and operating under the patronage of His Majesty King Charles III. It manages a contiguous 371,000-hectare block of tropical rainforest in the heart of Guyana, representing roughly 1% of the country's landmass, as a living laboratory for sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and community development. The organization is governed by an International Board of Trustees and staffed by approximately 70 permanent professionals based in Georgetown (head office) and at the Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre at Kurupukari, with the Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre (founded 2001) in Annai supporting Indigenous capacity building.

Iwokrama's core activities span six integrated revenue and programme streams: sustainable tourism through the Iwokrama River Lodge (eight solar-powered river-front cabins, canopy walkway, river safaris, cultural experiences); FSC-certified sustainable forestry using polycyclic, silvicultural harvesting on a 60-year cutting cycle averaging ~1,560 hectares per year with a no-log export policy; research and science partnerships with universities including the University of Guyana, University of Kent, and Newcastle University; learning services covering ranger, tour-guide, and natural resource management training; community development co-managed with 21 Indigenous communities (8,000+ people) represented through the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB); and an emerging ecosystem services line, which in February 2025 became the first FSC Ecosystem Services certification in Guyana.

The business model is a hybrid non-profit mix of commercial revenues (timber, lodge bookings, training fees), research grants and donations (Government of Guyana, Commonwealth Secretariat, GEF, ITTO, DFID, CIDA, European Commission, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, ExxonMobil Foundation via EMC, BIOPAMA, REPSOL), and nascent ecosystem services transactions underpinned by FSC certification, Good Travel Seal, and comprehensive biophysical monitoring data. Customers comprise four segments: Indigenous communities as co-owners/partners; academic and research institutions; nature and cultural tourism visitors; and conservation organizations and institutional donors. The value proposition rests on a structurally rare combination of statutory legal status, multi-decade community co-management, internationally audited sustainability certifications, and a single contiguous research-grade forest asset that is difficult to replicate at scale.

Name

Iwokrama

Legal name

Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development

Website

https://iwokrama.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Iwokrama International Centre is a Guyana-headquartered international not-for-profit that manages 371,000 hectares of tropical rainforest for sustainable forestry, eco-tourism, research, and Indigenous community development, serving communities, academic institutions, tourists, and conservation donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Forest Management

NAICS

Timber Tract Operations (11311), Forestry and Logging (113)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services (IMAMAJAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Forest Certification & Chain-of-Custody Services (FSC/PEFC/SFI) (IMAMAJAJ), Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Timberland Operations Planning & Contractor Management (AFAMAKAE), Timberland Carbon & Natural Capital Project Development (Offsets/REDD+) (AFAMAKAH), Rainforest & Jungle Lodges (THAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Tropical forest conservation
• Sustainable forestry management
• Ecotourism services
• Biodiversity monitoring
• Community-based conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Georgetown

HQ country

Guyana

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Sustainable Tourism: Eco-tourism operations including the Iwokrama River Lodge with eight river-front cabins, canopy walkway experiences, turtle mountain hikes, river safaris, and indigenous cultural experiences. First guests welcomed in 1997.
2. Sustainable Forestry: Timber harvesting from responsibly managed tropical rainforest. Operations follow FSC certification standards with selective harvesting of up to 20 species on 60-year cycles. Includes sawmilling operations.
3. Learning Services and Training: Training programmes in ranger skills, tour guiding, collaborative natural resource management, sustainable forest management, and climate change. Academic services including field courses, educational visits, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
4. Research Partnerships: Collaborative research with local and international academic institutions. The Iwokrama International Science Committee guides the programme with experts from Guyana, Caribbean, Europe, and the United States.
5. Carbon and Ecosystem Services: Ecosystem service agreements and verified ecosystem services claims. First-ever claim for verified ecosystem services in Guyana (FSC certification for Ecosystem Services - Recreation and Biodiversity Conservation) in February 2025.
6. Donations and Grants: Support from donors, foundations, and international organizations. Donations support forest protection, wildlife conservation, and community development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Iwokrama International Centre manages 371,000 hectares of tropical rainforest in Guyana for conservation, sustainable use, and scientific research. Its core offerings include sustainable timber harvesting under FSC certification, eco-tourism through the Iwokrama River Lodge, biodiversity and environmental monitoring, research partnerships, training programmes, and community development initiatives co-managed with 21 Indigenous communities.

Product overview

Iwokrama International Centre operates as an integrated conservation and sustainable development organization managing 371,000 hectares of tropical rainforest in Guyana. The organization functions as a unified portfolio of interconnected programmes rather than a traditional product company: the Iwokrama Forest serves as the core asset, around which sustainable timber operations generate revenue, the Iwokrama River Lodge provides eco-tourism experiences, and research, monitoring, and community development programmes ensure conservation benefits local communities. Learning services support capacity building in sustainable natural resource management. Together, these offerings demonstrate a model for balancing conservation, community development, and economic sustainability in tropical forest management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bina Hill Institute (BHI): Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre - an educational institution located in Annai, established in 2001, that provides transformative training, research, and leadership programmes for Indigenous youth.

Products and services

• Iwokrama River Lodge Eco-friendly lodge along the Essequibo River offering eight river-front cabins with solar-powered electricity, private bathrooms, and wraparound verandas, serving nature enthusiasts, birders, and cultural explorers seeking sustainable rainforest experiences.
• Sustainable Timber Operations FSC-certified low-impact timber harvesting using polycyclic silvicultural methods on a 60-year cutting cycle, processing timber locally with a no-log-export policy, sold to buyers seeking responsibly sourced tropical timber.
• Research and Science Programme Scientific research initiatives including biodiversity surveys, climate monitoring, species studies, and ecosystem services research, conducted in collaboration with 21 Indigenous communities and international academic partners.
• Training and Learning Services Hands-on training programmes in sustainable natural resource management, including rangering, tour guiding, collaborative natural resource management, and climate change education, delivered through classroom and field experiences for institutions and individuals.
• Community Development Programme Partnership initiatives with 21 Indigenous communities focusing on sustainable livelihoods, youth education through the Bina Hill Institute, and local capacity building through the North Rupununi District Development Board.
• Field Guides (Mammals, Plants, Birds of Iwokrama) Published identification guides documenting the biodiversity of the Iwokrama Forest, available as downloadable PDFs for researchers, visitors, and the public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 371,000 hectares of rainforest under sustainable management (close to 1% of Guyana's landmass)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Government of GuyanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Established through partnership between Government of Guyana and Commonwealth Secretariat. The Iwokrama Act was passed unanimously by Parliament in 1996. Government has provided financial support including US$900,000 (2012-2013) and US$600,000 (2014).
• Commonwealth SecretariatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Co-founded Iwokrama International Centre with Government of Guyana. Prince Charles (now King Charles III) became Patron in 2000. The Commonwealth Secretariat continues to support governance through representation on the Board.
• North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Community-based organization formed in 1996, key voice in conservation decision-making. Represented on Iwokrama's International Board of Trustees. MoU signed in 2004 formalized partnership and guides joint initiatives.
• University of GuyanamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on research projects including PhD research on mammals, Master's research on frogs, and hosting the Iwokrama Webinar Science Series. Multiple joint publications and academic programmes.
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)coreOthersProvides FSC certification for Forest Management and Chain of Custody. First certified in 2008, re-certified 2016 and 2022. First in Guyana to achieve FSC certification for Ecosystem Services (2025).
• UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative Gender Forestry initiative to assess and recognise women's roles in forestry-based livelihoods. Focus on data collection and policy recommendations from forest-dependent communities in Regions 2, 4, and 10 of Guyana.
• Protected Areas CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed in 2023 for collaboration on protected areas management and conservation efforts.
• Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed in 2021 for collaboration on wildlife conservation and management within the Iwokrama Forest.
• RENFORESAP (French Guiana Amazonian Park)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border cooperation project reviewing tourism across the three Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana). Focused on ecotourism development around protected areas and preservation of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.
• BritCham (British Chamber of Commerce)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMoU signed in January 2025 for biodiversity conservation pact and business development collaboration.
• Guyana Tourism AuthoritymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMoU signed in 2019 for tourism development collaboration. Joint hosting of tourism courses and promotion of sustainable tourism.
• University of Kent (UK)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration on PhD research assessing impact of sustainable harvesting operations on bird and bat diversity, including fieldwork and biodiversity monitoring.
• Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerManages the Guyana Conservation Initiative with ExxonMobil Foundation. Focus on marine awareness, ecosystem restoration, community support, and livelihood projects. Also supports tourism courses.
• Lyell Centre, Heriot-Watt UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop an immersive Virtual Reality experience (2021) showcasing the Iwokrama Forest.
• ACTO (Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ACTO and GWCMC to develop Management Plans for key Amazonian species, including tortoises, caimans, and lowland tapir.
• Newcastle UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on heritage preservation project (Encompass) supporting three indigenous persons to complete Master Degrees. Also partnership on Travelling Exhibition with Ministry of Culture.
• Protected Areas CommissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed in 2023 for collaboration on protected areas management.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Surui Indigenous Forest Project (Kanindé): Brazilian Indigenous-led sustainable forestry and cultural preservation project. Closest direct peer in combining community co-ownership, FSC-style management, and rainforest conservation.

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: Global NGO with deep tropical forest and Indigenous community programmes across the Amazon and Guianas. Comparable operating model combining grants, REDD+/carbon revenue, sustainable commodities, and protected-area management.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Large conservation organization with global forest and wildlife programmes and significant Guyana presence. Comparable mission around sustainable forest management and biodiversity monitoring.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation NGO operating at much larger scale but pursuing a closely analogous model of forest conservation, sustainable forestry, indigenous partnership, and ecosystem services monetization. Directly comparable mission and revenue mix (grants, sustainable forestry, eco-tourism, carbon). Most relevant macro peer.
• Finite Carbon: Forest-carbon project developer monetizing improved forest management credits. Comparable in monetizing FSC-aligned forests via voluntary carbon markets.
• New Forests: Sustainable forestry investment manager developing FSC-certified timberland and carbon projects at scale. Comparable revenue mix (FSC timber, carbon credits) though driven by private capital rather than grants.

Others

• Guyana Forestry Commission: Government regulator and co-steward of Guyana's forest estate under Iwokrama Act. Adjacent/regulatory peer rather than direct competitor, sharing accountability for sustainable forestry in the country.
• Good Travel Seal: Sustainability certification body for tourism operators. Adjacent ecosystem enabler rather than competitor; Iwokrama River Lodge is one of its certified properties.
• Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation: Major philanthropic funder of Iwokrama's REDD+ and climate programmes. Adjacent ecosystem participant enabling Iwokrama's conservation finance model.

Regional players

• Suriname Conservation Foundation (SCF): Regional conservation NGO operating in neighbouring Suriname with overlapping tropical rainforest, community forestry, and ecotourism activities. Closest geographic peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@iwokramainternationalcentr6192?si=ztba2LuP-z2MV2PI
• Facebookfacebook.com/share/18MXeJxwZN/%20
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iwokrama
• Instagraminstagram.com/iwokrama_international?igsh=NHdlMWNvaXE4eWNm%20
• TikToktiktok.com/@iwokrama_international?_t=ZM-8wsDvMQ9oOL&_r=1%20
• Xx.com/IwokramaGuyana

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Iwokrama