Forever Sabah Berhad
Forever Sabah Berhad is a Sabah-based non-profit founded in 2011 that runs eight community-led environmental and social programs spanning food, energy, water, forests, and livelihoods, partnering with indigenous communities, government agencies, and NGOs to support Sabah's circular economy transition.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersKota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Forever Sabah Berhad does
Forever Sabah Berhad is a Malaysian non-profit organization incorporated in Sabah (registration 1172311-D) and founded in 2011, with a stated mission of supporting Sabah's transition to a diversified, equitable, circular economy. The organization operates eight interconnected programs organized across five focal areas (Food/Agriculture/Fisheries, Energy/Infrastructure/Waste, Livelihood/Tourism/Enterprise, Forest/Water/Soil, and Culture & Arts). Its program portfolio includes the Methane Project (oil-and-gas climate policy with ECoS and EDF), Forever Segama (biodiversity connectivity in the Segama watershed), Projek Padi (heirloom rice revitalization in Tenghilan with the Wagas Dati brand), Smallholder Sustainability & Certification (independent oil palm smallholders in TTBK districts), Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES in the Babagon Catchment), Lower Kinabatangan Segama Wetlands (co-management of a 78,803-hectare Ramsar site), SabahRE2 (renewable energy mini-grids via a consortium with TONIBUNG, PACOS Trust, and Green Empowerment), and Human-Elephant Harmony (community-led elephant conservation in Telupid via the CERT/Kopisuladan di Aki team).
The organization's delivery model is ground-up and community-led, relying on citizen science, GIS and remote sensing, community-based monitoring, participatory mapping, and direct field teams. Its 'technology' stack is operational rather than digital-platform oriented: GPS/GIS data collection, camera trap surveys, water quality assessment tools, proprietary renewable energy mini-grid cost-effectiveness toolkits, and a Good Management Practices training framework for RSPO/MSPO certification. The team comprises ~25 full-time staff spanning community engagement officers, technical coordinators, field coordinators, and specialists in fisheries ecology, forest restoration, GIS, and sustainable agriculture, supported by a wider network of community rangers and field facilitators.
Forever Sabah's revenue model is grant- and donation-based, with no commercial pricing structure. Primary funding comes from foundations and institutional donors including Yayasan Hasanah, UK PACT (British Government), National Conservation Trust Fund (Malaysia), US Shared Earth Foundation, and Roughley Charitable Trust. The only commercial revenue stream is sales of Wagas Dati branded heirloom rice, with proceeds returned to farmers. Distribution is via direct program implementation, government partnerships, and NGO networks, with customers being indigenous and local communities, independent smallholders, government agencies, and conservation partners rather than commercial end-purchasers.
Forever Sabah Berhad firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forever Sabah Berhad
- Legal name
- Forever Sabah Berhad
- Website
- https://foreversabah.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Forever Sabah Berhad is a Sabah-based non-profit founded in 2011 that runs eight community-led environmental and social programs spanning food, energy, water, forests, and livelihoods, partnering with indigenous communities, government agencies, and NGOs to support Sabah's circular economy transition.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forever Sabah Berhad industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Non-profit conservation and sustainable development services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Community Food Services (624210)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK), Fair Trade & Ethical Supply Chains (Certification, Traceability, Producer Support) (BPAGALAL), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) / No Net Loss Planning & Metrics (EUAHAHAJ)
Keywords
Where Forever Sabah Berhad is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kota Kinabalu
- HQ country
- Malaysia
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
Forever Sabah Berhad business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Institutional Grants: Forever Sabah is primarily funded through grants from foundations and institutional donors. Known funders include Yayasan Hasanah, The Shared Earth Foundation, UK PACT (British Government), National Conservation Trust Fund (Malaysia), and Roughley Charitable Trust. Funding supports specific programs and projects.
- Donations: The organization accepts public donations through its website to support ongoing programs and projects.
- Rice Sales (Wagas Dati Brand): Projek Padi sells surplus rice produced by participating farmers under the 'Wagas Dati' brand, with profits going directly to farmers. This generates modest revenue while supporting local livelihoods.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Forever Sabah Berhad product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forever Sabah is a non-profit organization that delivers community-based conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and renewable energy programs across Sabah, Malaysia. Its core offerings include eight programs (Methane Project, Forever Segama, Projek Padi, Smallholder Sustainability & Certification, PES, LKSW, SabahRE2, HEH) that serve indigenous communities, independent oil palm smallholders, and government agencies, supplemented by modest direct sales of heirloom rice under the Wagas Dati brand.
Product overview
Forever Sabah Berhad is a nonprofit organization supporting Sabah's transition to a diversified, equitable, circular economy through multiple environmental and community programs. Its product portfolio includes the Wagas Dati branded heirloom rice product (sold directly to consumers), and eight interconnected programs/services addressing sustainability challenges: the Methane Project (climate/oil & gas emissions), Forever Segama (watershed/biodiversity), Projek Padi (food security/rice), Smallholder Sustainability & Certification (palm oil certification), PES (water catchment conservation), LKSW (wetlands conservation), SabahRE2 (renewable energy), and HEH (human-wildlife coexistence). These programs operate as parallel initiatives rather than a unified platform architecture.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Wagas Dati: A community brand for surplus rice produced by Projek Padi farmers in Tenghilan. The brand means 'our rice' in the Dorf language and represents heirloom rice varieties grown using sustainable methods.
- Kopisuladan di Aki
- SabahRE2
Products and services
- Methane Project Climate initiative focused on understanding methane impact, building awareness among Sabah society, and exploring methane abatement efforts including zero- and low-cost opportunities in the oil and gas sector. Working with Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to support O&G sector methane policy development.
- Forever Segama Multi-stakeholder collaboration for restoring biodiversity connectivity in the Segama watershed through integrated catchment management, riparian forest restoration, HCV/HCS planning, and sustainable oil palm certification support.
- Projek Padi Rice revitalisation partnership program supporting 43 farming households in Tenghilan to grow heirloom rice varieties using sustainable methods including System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and organic production. Produced 28 tons of rice with 230% return on investment and average household income of RM 8,485.
- Smallholder Sustainability & Certification (SSC) Program engaging independent palm oil smallholders in pilot districts (Telupid, Tongod, Beluran, Kinabatangan) to achieve RSPO and MSPO certification through Good Management Practices (GMP) training and support.
- Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Pilot Project PES scheme for water catchment conservation in Babagon Catchment, facilitating institutional mechanisms for a Babagon Catchment Water Fund with community representation as Trustees alongside government and other stakeholders.
- Lower Kinabatangan Segama Wetlands (LKSW) Programme Co-management program for the 78,803-hectare Ramsar protected area complex, supporting community-based conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) and Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs).
- Sabah Renewable Energy Rural Electrification Roadmap (SabahRE2) Multi-stakeholder consortium project (Forever Sabah, TONIBUNG, PACOS Trust, Green Empowerment) aimed at enabling 200 renewable energy mini-grids across rural Sabah by 2030, targeting energy access for un-electrified villages.
- Human-Elephant Harmony (HEH) Project Community-based elephant conservation program in Telupid supporting the Community Elephant Ranger Team (CERT / Kopisuladan di Aki) to transform human-elephant interactions from conflict to harmony through cultural protocols, GPS/GIS data collection, camera trap surveys, and elephant collaring data.
- Wagas Dati Heirloom Rice Brand A community-produced heirloom rice brand from Tenghilan, Sabah, sold under the 'Wagas Dati' label. Produced by 43 farming households growing 34 heirloom varieties of rice using sustainable methods including System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and organic production, with profits going directly to farmers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 43 farming households grew 28 tons of 34 heirloom rice varieties, generating RM 36,361 from surplus sales, with 230% ROI
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Forever Sabah Berhad
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Forever Sabah Berhad technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Forever Sabah Berhad partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- TONIBUNGcoreTONIBUNG (Create Borneo) is a core consortium member of SabahRE2. They bring expertise in building renewable energy mini-grids, having constructed over 30 mini-grid systems in Malaysian Borneo, and provide technical training and technology transfer to rural communities.
- PACOS TrustcorePartners of Community Organizations in Sabah (PACOS Trust) is a core consortium member of SabahRE2 and long-term partner of Forever Sabah across multiple programs. They provide community organizing expertise, training, and coordination support for indigenous communities.
- Green EmpowermentcoreGreen Empowerment is a US-based organization that is a core consortium member of SabahRE2, contributing international expertise in renewable energy implementation and capacity building for rural electrification.
- Seratu AataimajorSeratu Aatai provides training and technical support to the Human Elephant Harmony project, specializing in elephant conservation. They are a key partner in camera trap surveys and wildlife monitoring activities.
- HUTAN-KOCP (Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Programme)majorHUTAN-KOCP provides wildlife expertise and training support to the Human Elephant Harmony project, collaborating on camera trap surveys and elephant monitoring in the Tawai Forest Reserve.
- Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC)majorDanau Girang Field Centre provides collaring data and technical collaboration for elephant tracking and monitoring, contributing to the identification of elephant migration routes and 'elezone' areas.
- Sabah Wildlife DepartmentmajorThe Sabah Wildlife Department is a key government partner in the Human Elephant Harmony project, providing honorary wildlife warden designations to CERT team members and collaborating on wildlife rescue operations.
- Sabah Forestry DepartmentmajorThe Sabah Forestry Department governs and manages the Ramsar site complex and is a key partner across multiple Forever Sabah programs including LKSW, Forever Segama, and HEH. They have allocated a former timber extraction control point building as a base for CERT operations.
- Oregon State UniversityminorAn Oregon State University intern, Sadaqa Hamblin, contributed to documenting the scale of elephant damage in smallholder oil palm plantations, supporting the development of compensation frameworks.
- Suara/Borneo Eco Film FestivalminorSuara/Borneo Eco Film Festival provided documentation and film training to the Community Elephant Ranger Team, supporting the production of short films and documentary materials.
- Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS)coreECoS is a key government partner in the Methane Project, collaborating on raising awareness of methane emissions from Sabah's onshore gas sector and supporting cross-sector dialogue on methane mitigation.
- Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)coreEDF is a key international partner in the Methane Project, contributing expertise in methane emissions monitoring, policy development, and facilitation of direct measurements from LNG facilities.
- World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-MalaysiacoreWWF-Malaysia is an implementing partner in the Methane Project, contributing to the cross-sector collaboration and awareness raising efforts around oil and gas methane emissions.
- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)coreUMS is an academic partner in the Methane Project, contributing research capabilities and local expertise to methane emissions assessment in Sabah.
- Ecosystem2minorEcosystem2, a UK-based partner, provides technical expertise in methane measurement and analysis for the Methane Project implementation.
- PSE Healthy EnergyminorPSE Healthy Energy, a US-based partner, contributes scientific and technical expertise in energy-related environmental health for the Methane Project.
- Sabah Climate Registry and Inventory Centre (SaCRIC)coreSaCRIC is a state government partner in the Methane Project, contributing to the development of methane inventory and policy framework for Sabah.
- LEAP SpiralcoreLEAP Spiral is an affiliated organization that shares leadership with Forever Sabah, with Winnie Long serving as both CEO of LEAP Spiral and COO of Forever Sabah. LEAP provides core funding support and organizational development assistance.
- Inspira InnovativeminorInspira Innovative won an R&D 100 Award in 2023 for transforming wood waste into biochemical products. Forever Sabah celebrates Inspira's work as an exemplary application of circular economy principles and is exploring potential collaborations toward bio-economy development.
- Sabah Economic Planning Unit (UPEN)coreUPEN Sabah is a key government stakeholder in SabahRE2, participating in roadmap development and coordination meetings with energy sector partners.
- Ministry of Rural Development (Sabah)coreThe Sabah Ministry of Rural Development is a key government stakeholder in SabahRE2, providing policy alignment and support for rural electrification initiatives.
- Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB)coreSESB is the state electricity utility and key government stakeholder in SabahRE2, participating in consortium meetings and providing expertise on grid connectivity and energy infrastructure.
- Institute for Development Studies (IDS) SabahcoreIDS Sabah is a government research institution that is a key stakeholder in SabahRE2, contributing to the roadmap development process.
Scale indicators15 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Forever Sabah Berhad competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WWF-Malaysia: The Malaysian arm of a global conservation network operates across Sabah on orangutan, marine, and forest programs; both organizations collaborate on the Methane Project and share overlapping objectives in biodiversity and sustainable commodities.
- The Christensen Fund: A philanthropic foundation supporting biocultural diversity, indigenous-led conservation, and place-based strategies — closely aligned with Forever Sabah's emphasis on bio-cultural diversity, indigenous land rights, and locally managed conservation.
- Wetlands International: A global wetlands conservation NGO with strong presence in Malaysia and Southeast Asia; Forever Sabah's co-management of the 78,803-hectare Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands Ramsar site overlaps directly with Wetlands International's mandate and Ramsar engagement work.
- Fauna & Flora International: A global conservation NGO implementing PES schemes and community-based conservation in Asia-Pacific; shares comparable methodologies around community-led biodiversity protection and payment for ecosystem services schemes.
Direct peers
- Green Empowerment: A US-based nonprofit implementing rural renewable energy and capacity building in developing countries; a core SabahRE2 consortium partner alongside Forever Sabah, TONIBUNG, and PACOS Trust.
- LEAP Spiral: An affiliated Sabah-based social enterprise with overlapping leadership (Winnie Long serves as both CEO of LEAP Spiral and COO of Forever Sabah); LEAP provides core funding and organizational development support, operating in adjacent sustainable development and circular economy programs.
- PACOS Trust: Partners of Community Organizations in Sabah is a long-term partner of Forever Sabah working across multiple programs; both organizations share indigenous community organizing, capacity building, and rights-based approaches in Sabah's rural communities.
- HUTAN-KOCP: The Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Programme conducts wildlife monitoring, camera-trap surveys, and community-based conservation in the Lower Kinabatangan, directly overlapping with Forever Sabah's LKSW and HEH programs in geography and methodology.
- TONIBUNG: Create Borneo is a core SabahRE2 consortium partner that builds renewable energy mini-grids in Malaysian Borneo; both organizations collaborate on rural electrification and indigenous community engagement across Sabah.
Regional players
- RECOFTC: Center for People and Forests operates across Southeast Asia on community forestry, PES, and indigenous land tenure — closely comparable in approach to Forever Sabah's PES, LKSW, and smallholder forestry programs, though with a regional rather than Sabah-specific focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forever Sabah Berhad social profiles
Digital presenceForever Sabah Berhad financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forever Sabah Berhad leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Forever Sabah Berhad funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forever Sabah Berhad M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forever Sabah Berhad
What does Forever Sabah Berhad do?
Forever Sabah is a non-profit organization that delivers community-based conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and renewable energy programs across Sabah, Malaysia. Its core offerings include eight programs (Methane Project, Forever Segama, Projek Padi, Smallholder Sustainability & Certification, PES, LKSW, SabahRE2, HEH) that serve indigenous communities, independent oil palm smallholders, and government agencies, supplemented by modest direct sales of heirloom rice under the Wagas Dati brand.
Is Forever Sabah Berhad a public or private company?
Forever Sabah Berhad is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Forever Sabah Berhad founded?
Forever Sabah Berhad was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Forever Sabah Berhad based?
Forever Sabah Berhad is headquartered in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, in the Asia region.
How does Forever Sabah Berhad make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Institutional Grants are the primary driver. The others are donations and rice Sales (Wagas Dati Brand).
Who are Forever Sabah Berhad's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are WWF-Malaysia, The Christensen Fund, Wetlands International and Fauna & Flora International. Direct peers are Green Empowerment, LEAP Spiral, PACOS Trust, HUTAN-KOCP and TONIBUNG. RECOFTC is listed as a regional player.
Does Forever Sabah Berhad have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forever Sabah Berhad.
What industry is Forever Sabah Berhad in?
Forever Sabah Berhad's product category is Non-profit conservation and sustainable development services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAD, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative), with a secondary code of IMAMAJAK, Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES). Its NAICS code is 71219 and its SIC code is 8600.