FOVISEE

What FOVISEE does

FOVISEE (Foro de Vivienda Sustentabilidad y Energía) is an Argentine non-profit foundation founded in 2010 to improve housing conditions in popular neighborhoods through sustainable construction, energy efficiency, and renewable energy solutions. The organization develops and applies a proprietary methodology — the Diagnóstico del Nivel de Sustentabilidad del Hogar (DNSH), adapted from the US Weatherization Assistance Program — that assesses and improves housing across health, safety, thermal performance, and energy dimensions. Core technical capabilities include blower door air infiltration testing, geothermal climate control systems using horizontally buried ducts, solar thermal collectors for domestic hot water (42+ installed units since 2010), and the Casa F1 emergency housing prototype combining rapid construction, bioclimatic design, and expandable architecture.

The foundation operates through three primary delivery channels: (1) direct government program implementation with municipalities (Mercedes, Bariloche, Campana, Lago Puelo) and the national government of Argentina, with project sizes ranging from 30 to 1,000 housing interventions; (2) CIVIS (Centro de Información de Vivienda Sustentable) centers providing free public technical-social accompaniment, with the first location in Mercedes; and (3) education and training products including the Manual de Instrucciones para el Uso Sustentable de la Vivienda, a Virtual Campus, and the Latin American Diploma program that reached 200 public officials from 69 cities in 2024. Supporting products include a Carbon Monoxide Prevention Campaign and the Casa F1 emergency housing prototype.

FOVISEE is funded through grants and program contracts from municipal, provincial, and national governments, plus international institutional donors including Citi Foundation, CAF (Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina), the Organization of American States, Avina Foundation, and the Finnish Embassy cooperation fund. The organization does not charge for public programs. It has signed cooperation agreements with the housing ministries of Peru (MVCS), Ecuador (MIDUVI), and Chile (MINVU), and maintains an international academic collaboration with MIT D-Lab. The foundation is led by President Nicolás Maggio (who also serves as President of Weatherizers Without Borders) and Vice President Baltazar Ojea, with a 7-person team.

Name

FOVISEE

Legal name

Fundación FOVISEE (Foro de Vivienda Sustentabilidad y Energía)

Website

https://fovisee.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FOVISEE is an Argentine non-profit foundation founded in 2010 that improves housing conditions in low-income neighborhoods through energy efficiency retrofits, renewable energy systems, and technical-social accompaniment programs, serving municipalities, national governments, and vulnerable households across Argentina and Latin America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Housing Services and Policy Development

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Rehabilitation, Weatherization & Home Repair Grant/Loan Programs (FSALAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI), Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD), Fair Housing, Compliance & Housing Program Oversight (FSALAKAN)

Keywords

• Sustainable housing improvement
• Energy efficiency retrofit
• Home weatherization programs
• Renewable energy housing
• Housing policy consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Buenos Aires (Nuñez)

HQ country

Argentina

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

FOVISEE is a non-profit foundation that designs and implements sustainable housing improvement programs, technical-social accompaniment services, and policy frameworks for low-income populations in Latin America. Its core offerings include the Sustainable Housing Improvement Program (Mejoramiento Habitacional Sustentable), the Sustentabilizar Hogares weatherization program, CIVIS public information centers, and applied research on renewable energy systems (geothermal and solar thermal) for popular housing. All programs are delivered free of charge, funded through government partnerships, international cooperation, and institutional grants.

Product overview

FOVISEE operates as a unified platform combining multiple programs and services focused on fair and sustainable housing. The core offerings include the Sustainable Housing Improvement Program (Mejoramiento Habitacional Sustentable), the Home Sustainability Program (Sustentabilizar Hogares), and the CIVIS Sustainable Housing Information Center, which work together to provide technical-social accompaniment and public policy implementation. Supporting these are educational products including the Virtual Campus (e-learning platform), the Latin American Diploma, and the Manual for Sustainable Use of Housing. The organization also delivers specialized products like the Carbon Monoxide Prevention Campaign, the F1 Emergency Fair Housing prototype, and renewable energy solutions (geothermal and solar thermal). The portfolio follows an integrated approach where technical housing improvements are complemented by training, education, and community health initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mejoramiento Habitacional Sustentable (Sustainable Housing Improvement Program) A public policy model for improving housing conditions in popular neighborhoods through technical, social, and scientific approaches, focusing on energy efficiency and environmental care, delivered to municipalities and replicated across more than 12 Argentine cities and towns.
• Programa Sustentabilizar Hogares (Home Sustainability Program) A program adapting the US Weatherization Assistance Policy to the Latin American context, providing diagnosis of home sustainability levels and sustainable housing improvements in popular neighborhoods, with first pilot in Rosario in 2013.
• CIVIS - Centro de Información de Vivienda Sustentable (Sustainable Housing Information Center) A Professional Technical-Social Accompaniment center that provides free public guidance for improving habitat self-production conditions, serving as a reference node for advice, training, and socio-architectural support, established in partnership with the Municipality of Mercedes.
• Diplomatura Latinoamericana para la Vivienda Justa y Sostenible (Latin American Diploma for Fair and Sustainable Housing) A regional training program for public officials covering qualitative housing deficit, technical and social dimensions of housing from an integral perspective, organized in five geographic regions with university and government partners.
• Campus Virtual (Virtual Campus) An online learning platform offering practical courses for fair and sustainable housing, including modules on sustainable housing use, sustainability diagnostics, and construction work training.
• Casa F1. Vivienda Justa ante emergencia (F1 House - Fair Housing in Emergency) A prototype of sustainable emergency housing combining rapid construction, sustainability (bioclimatic design and optimal energy efficiency standards), and projected growth capacity.
• Campaña Monóxido de Carbono (Carbon Monoxide Prevention Campaign) A public health initiative focused on preventing carbon monoxide poisoning through installation of detection alarms and training of local leaders in prevention measures, researched across more than 1000 dwellings in 2020.
• Geotermia (Geothermal Climate Control) An applied research project for climate control of popular housing using earth temperature, functioning through horizontally buried ducts that circulate air allowing temperature exchange with the earth.
• Energía Solar Térmica (Solar Thermal Energy) A feasible solution providing access to sanitary hot water in popular housing through solar thermal collectors, developed since 2010 with 42 collectors installed and evaluated.
• Manual de Instrucciones para el Uso Sustentable de la Vivienda (Manual for Sustainable Use of Housing) A practical guide providing information and step-by-step instructions for achieving a healthier home that positively impacts household economy and quality of life while contributing to environmental care.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced energy consumption through thermal insulation and efficiency improvements
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

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

• Weatherizers Without Borders (WWB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2022Primary strategic partner for the CLAVES conference series and Diplomatura program. WWB (US-based organization) and FOVISEE co-organize the Latin American Conference on Housing, Energy and Sustainability (CLAVES) and collaborate on the Sustantabilizar Hogares program. WWB President Nicolás Maggio also serves as President of FOVISEE.
• MIT D-LabmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic collaboration involving MIT students in housing improvement fieldwork in Bariloche. Students participate in energy auditing, housing retrofits, and community education activities. Joint activities include interactive maquettes, CO prevention workshops, and reality-based learning experiences.
• Avina FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among FOVISEE alliance partners in the institutional website footer. Supports organizational mission and regional housing initiatives.
• AshokasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among FOVISEE alliance partners. Social entrepreneurship network supporting innovative solutions in housing and sustainability.
• Universidad Nacional de HurlinghamsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner sponsoring the Diplomatura Latinoamericana para la Vivienda Justa y Sostenible 2024 edition.
• Universidad Nacional de Mar del PlatasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner sponsoring the Diplomatura Latinoamericana para la Vivienda Justa y Sostenible 2024 edition.
• Community Housing Partners Energy SolutionssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based organization collaborating through Weatherizers Without Borders network. Vicepresidente Mark Jackson participated in CLAVES 2022 closing session.
• Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation of Peru (MVCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned cooperation agreement with FOVISEE and WWB to work together on Just and Sustainable Housing project design, training programs, and housing performance measurement and monitoring. Viceministra Carmen Cecilia Lecaros led joint work on rural housing (Sumaq Wasi) in Cusco communities.
• Ministry of Urban Development and Housing of Ecuador (MIDUVI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned cooperation agreement with FOVISEE and WWB. Ministra Gabriela Aguilera signed agreement in Quito. Joint work includes housing sustainability diagnosis in areas outside Ambato.
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning of Chile (MINVU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned cooperation agreement for sustainable housing improvement programs in camps (informal settlements). Subsecretaria Tatiana Rojas Leiva and technical teams collaborated on programs in Viña del Mar and other cities.
• Municipality of MercedescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey local government partner for CIVIS center establishment and sustainable housing programs. Mayor Juan Ignacio Ustarroz has been instrumental in program development. Working together since early 2020 on housing improvement, CO prevention, and sustainable housing manual programs.
• Municipality of BarilochecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner for Patagonia housing programs since 2015. Hosted Centro de Capacitación de Sustentabilizar Hogares (inaugurated 2019). Active 1000-home improvement program with national government financing.
• Municipality of Lago PuelosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in emergency housing reconstruction following forest fires. Mayor Augusto Sánchez inaugurated first Casa F1 emergency housing. Initiative supported by National Deputy Santiago Igon and Citi Foundation.
• ETEC (Energy Technology)supportingTechnology or IntegrationListed among alliance partners on FOVISEE website. Technology provider for energy solutions.
• RetrotecsupportingTechnology or IntegrationListed among alliance partners on FOVISEE website. Technology provider for building diagnostics.
• Owens CorningsupportingTechnology or IntegrationListed among alliance partners on FOVISEE website. Building materials supplier for insulation solutions.
• Fundación Banco CiudadsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported Manual de Instrucciones para el Uso Sustentable de la Vivienda development over the years, along with other housing programs.
• EdenorsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported Manual de Instrucciones para el Uso Sustentable de la Vivienda development along with other housing sustainability initiatives.
• OEA (Organization of American States)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the Inter-American Program of Sustainable Housing Weatherization in Montevideo (2014) together with WWB and Uruguay's National Energy Directorate.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CAF - Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina: Latin American development bank that co-organized CLAVES 2022 and finances sustainable urban development projects across the region. Comparable as a major institutional counterpart funding similar housing and sustainability programs at scale.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Global nonprofit focused on affordable housing for low-income families through construction, advocacy, and financing. Comparable as a larger, established player in the same mission space; does not specialize in energy-efficiency weatherization the way FOVISEE does.
• BID / Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): Multilateral lender with a housing and urban development portfolio across Latin America. Comparable because it shapes and finances many of the same housing policy and improvement programs that FOVISEE implements at the field level.
• Coalición Clima y Aire Limpio (CCAC) Housing initiative: Global coalition that has supported FOVISEE's Carbon Monoxide Prevention Campaign and addresses short-lived climate pollutants in households. Comparable because it operates at the intersection of housing and clean air/climate policy.

Direct peers

• Weatherizers Without Borders (WWB): US-based nonprofit founded by Nicolás Maggio (also President of FOVISEE) that co-organizes CLAVES and co-implements the Sustentabilizar Hogares program. Most directly comparable peer given shared leadership, joint programs, and identical weatherization methodology adapted for Latin America.
• TECHO: Latin American nonprofit operating across 18 countries that builds transitional housing in informal settlements and mobilizes volunteers. Comparable because it targets the same low-income/popular housing segment with a youth-led, government-partnered delivery model in the same region.
• Habitat for Humanity Argentina: Argentine affiliate of Habitat for Humanity working on housing access and improvement in popular neighborhoods. Directly comparable because it operates in the same geography, serves the same beneficiary population, and partners with similar municipal actors.
• Fundación Avina: Latin American foundation supporting sustainable development through grants and alliances. Listed as a FOVISEE alliance partner and shares regional development mission across housing, environment, and social inclusion.

Others

• MIT D-Lab: MIT initiative that works on inclusive development and appropriate technology, and that has partnered with FOVISEE on field programs in Bariloche. Comparable as an enabler/academic collaborator rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Instituto para la Vivienda y el Desarrollo Urbano (InVivienda) / similar LatAm housing research centers: Regional research and policy centers that produce housing data, diagnostics, and policy recommendations across Latin America. Comparable because they target the same qualitative housing deficit with applied research, though each serves its own national context rather than FOVISEE's multi-country approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/fundacionfovisee
• Facebookfacebook.com/fundacionfovisee
• Instagraminstagram.com/fovisee
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fovisee

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about FOVISEE