FUNDACION COPADE

What FUNDACION COPADE does

FUNDACION COPADE (Fundación Comercio para el Desarrollo) is a Spanish non-profit foundation established in 1988 and headquartered in Madrid, with a regional office in Quito, Ecuador, and project operations extending to Guatemala. The organization pursues three interrelated missions: promoting fair trade and responsible consumption in Spain, facilitating market access for producer organizations in Latin America and Spain, and advancing sustainable forest management. Its service portfolio spans three layers: (1) a fair-trade product catalog (chocolates, ecological coffees, panela sugar, FSC-certified paper and wood) sold directly and through consumer groups; (2) three proprietary certification marks — Madera Justa (Fair Wood, FSC C114011), Huella ASG (ESG performance aligned with SDGs), and Sello Chakra (Amazonian Chakra system) — delivered via the Global Impact Certification platform; and (3) a portfolio of donor-funded international development and rural-employment projects including Bosque Innova, Bosques Vivos, Del Bosque a tu Casa, Chakra Amazónica, and the Maya Biosphere Reserve initiative.

Underlying the certifications is a digital traceability stack combining mobile geolocation and blockchain to track wood from forest to consumer, built to anticipate EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance requirements. The foundation operates through a multi-channel go-to-market model: direct enterprise engagement for ESG certification, institutional partnerships for development projects funded by AECID, MITECO, Fundación Biodiversidad, Ayuntamiento de Madrid, Fundación la Caixa and EU NextGenerationEU programs, membership and donation subscriptions (€10/€20/€40 tiers), and retail distribution of certified wood through WoodLife Company via Leroy Merlin. The customer base spans indigenous Kichwa producer associations in Ecuador, microenterprises and SMEs in Spain seeking Agenda 2030 alignment, large corporations pursuing ESG compliance, public administrations, and individual members/supporters.

The revenue model is non-commercial at its core: project grants from Spanish and EU public institutions dominate, supplemented by fair-trade product sales (transaction-based), recurring membership donations (subscription), and emerging professional-service fees from ESG certification work. COPADE holds a minority stake in subsidiary WoodLife Company, which commercializes Madera Justa-certified wood through major retail platforms. The foundation reports over 25 institutional partners, multi-country project activity across America, Africa, and Europe, and millions of direct and indirect beneficiaries across its 35+ year operating history.

Name

FUNDACION COPADE

Legal name

FUNDACIÓN COMERCIO PARA EL DESARROLLO (Fundación COPADE)

Website

https://copade.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FUNDACION COPADE is a Madrid-based non-profit foundation founded in 1988 that promotes fair trade, sustainable forest management, and ESG certification for producer organizations in Latin America and SMEs in Spain, delivering proprietary certifications (Madera Justa, Huella ASG, Sello Chakra), EUDR-aligned digital traceability, and AECID/EU-funded international development projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Certification and Fair Trade Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Forest Certification, Compliance & Chain-of-Custody Support (AFAMAAAH), Sustainable Forest Certification & Chain-of-Custody Services (FSC/PEFC/SFI) (IMAMAJAJ), Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing Certification Services (AFALAMAD), Controlled Wood / Due Diligence / Risk Assessment Services (AFAMALAC)

Keywords

• Fair trade certification
• Sustainable forest management
• ESG measurement services
• Development cooperation projects
• Responsible consumption commerce

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fair Trade Product Sales: Sale of fair trade products including chocolates, ecological coffees, panela sugar, and FSC-certified stationery products through their catalog. Products ensure dignified labor conditions for producers.
2. Membership and Donation Program: Periodic membership contributions (10€, 20€, 40€ or custom amounts) with options for one-time, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments. Members receive discounts on fair trade products and donation certificates for tax deductions.
3. ESG Certification Services: Huella ASG certification services for companies and organizations seeking ESG performance evaluation and sustainability recognition.
4. International Development Project Funding: Funding received from international cooperation organizations including AECID, Fundación Biodiversidad, MITECO, Ayuntamiento de Madrid, and others for development and environmental conservation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

FUNDACION COPADE is a non-profit foundation that promotes fair trade, responsible consumption, and environmental sustainability through three core offerings: (1) proprietary sustainability certification services (Global Impact Certification, Huella ASG ESG performance certification, and Madera Justa fair wood certification); (2) a fair trade product catalog featuring chocolates, ecological coffees, panela sugar, and FSC-certified stationery sold via online catalog and consumer groups; and (3) international development cooperation projects funded by public institutions (AECID, EU programs) supporting producer organizations in Latin America and rural entrepreneurship in Spain.

Product overview

FUNDACION COPADE (Fundación Comercio para el Desarrollo) is a non-profit organization that functions as an NGO rather than a traditional technology company. Its offerings consist of: (1) Fair Trade Product Catalog - retail products including chocolates, coffees, sugars, and FSC-certified paper; (2) Certification Services - Global Impact Certification, Huella ASG (ESG performance certification), and Madera Justa (fair wood certification); (3) Multiple sustainability project initiatives including Bosque Innova (rural forest entrepreneurship), Bosques Vivos (deforestation awareness), Del Bosque a tu Casa (rural employment), Bosques Locales Bosques Globales (local-global forest connection), Chakra Amazónica (Amazonian sustainable development in Ecuador), and Reserva de la Biosfera Maya (Guatemalan forestry). The organization does not offer a unified software platform but rather provides certification services and implements development projects focused on fair trade, sustainable forestry, and ESG measurement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Madera Justa: A fair trade wood certification mark developed by COPADE for sustainable and socially responsible wood products.
• Huella ASG
• Copade Global Impact

Products and services

• Global Impact Certification A certification service providing comprehensive analysis of organizational work practices and contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), combining Huella ASG (ESG) and Madera Justa (Fair Wood) certifications. Designed for companies and organizations seeking integrated sustainability certification.
• Huella ASG - Desempeño Sostenible ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) performance measurement tool that evaluates organizational impact on people and planet, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. Focuses on continuous improvement rather than static certification. Awards a public seal recognizing commitment to sustainable performance.
• Madera Justa (Fair Wood) Certification A fair wood certification standard guaranteeing wood comes from responsibly managed forests with social criteria in public procurement. Certified by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC, license C114011) and offering guarantees of extreme durability.
• Comercio Justo (Fair Trade) Products Catalog Fair trade product catalog including chocolates, ecological coffees, panela sugar, and FSC-certified paper from sustainable forests. Ensures dignified labor conditions for producers and is sold through online catalog and consumer groups.
• Sello Chakra Certification Certification seal for products from the Amazonian Chakra agricultural system, guaranteeing production from sustainable agricultural practices combining biodiversity conservation and traditional knowledge transmission. Used for products from indigenous Kichwa communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple international cooperation projects completed over 26 years across Latin America
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rewilding SpaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Bosque Innova project for renaturalization of landscapes, working on socioeconomic activity generation in the Alto Tajo region through sustainable forest management.
• Fundación General CSICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Bosque Innova project for promotion of innovation and knowledge transfer, activating generation of new business initiatives and creating employment through research collaboration.
• FSC EspañacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in Bosque Innova for promotion of responsible and sustainable forest management, bringing forest certification expertise to sustainable development projects.
• Asociación EcómetrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for spreading ecology and sustainable architecture knowledge within the Bosque Innova project consortium.
• ACOFOP (Asociación de Comunidades Forestales de Petén)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partnership in Guatemala for sustainable forest management in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, implementing digital traceability systems and supporting communities with EUDR compliance.
• WoodLife CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial partnership for sustainable wood products distribution through major retail platforms like Leroy Merlin in Spain and France. Products carry FSC and Madera Justa certifications.
• CONVIVE – Fundación CepaimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on free training program for rural entrepreneurs in Spain, combining knowledge with sustainable development focus aligned with Sustainable Development Goals.
• AEMME - Asociación Española Multisectorial de MicroempresascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on microenterprise sustainability transformation project, providing workshops and mentoring for SMEs to align with Agenda 2030.
• Fundación Ibercaja (La Rioja)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue collaborator for sustainability workshops in Logroño, providing space and support for microenterprise training sessions.
• Corporación Chakra (Kallari, Wiñak, Tsatsayaku, Inti, Alliguayusa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive Amazonian associations integrated in Corporación Chakra for developing and commercializing bioproducts from the Chakra Amazónica system for indigenous Kichwa communities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Soil Association: UK-based charity running organic and sustainability certification plus public-interest campaigns. Shares COPADE's combination of certification services, advocacy, and producer/consumer education programs.
• Fairtrade International: Global fair trade certification organization covering commodities including coffee, cocoa, and sugar. COPADE's fair trade catalog and producer support activities directly parallel Fairtrade International's mission and certification model.
• Rainforest Alliance: International sustainability certification organization covering forestry, agriculture, and tourism. Operates a comparable certification-plus-projects model relevant to COPADE's Latin American forest and agroforestry programs.
• ECOCERT: French certification body offering organic, fair trade, and sustainability certification services. Comparable to COPADE in delivering third-party sustainability certifications across multiple sectors and geographies.
• FSC International: Global forest stewardship council and chain-of-custody certification system. COPADE holds FSC C114011 certification and builds Madera Justa on top of FSC, making FSC the closest peer in forest certification standards.
• Preferred by Nature: International non-profit offering sustainability certification and verification services for forestry, agriculture, and land use. Closely comparable to COPADE in scope of forest/land certification plus development project delivery.
• B Lab (B Corporation): Global non-profit certifying companies on social and environmental performance. COPADE's Huella ASG ESG certification competes for the same SME ESG-measurement buyer as B Corp, particularly in Spanish-speaking markets.

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification company. Offers comparable forest chain-of-custody and ESG verification services relevant to COPADE's certification and traceability offerings at much larger scale.
• SGS: Global testing, inspection, and certification giant. SGS operates a Sustainability Services division covering forest products, EUDR due diligence, and ESG assurance — a likely large-scale competitor as compliance demand scales.

Regional players

• AENOR: Spain's leading standards and certification body. Most directly comparable Spanish peer for Huella ASG-type sustainability certification, and a potential partner or competitor for COPADE in the Spanish SME market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/COPADE
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fundacioncopade
• Facebookfacebook.com/fundacioncopade
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundacion-copade
• Instagraminstagram.com/copadefundacion

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FUNDACION COPADE