Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC)

What Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) does

FPWC is a Yerevan-based nonprofit foundation founded in 2002 that operates at the intersection of wildlife conservation, environmental education, and sustainable community development in Armenia. Its core assets include the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR)—the first privately protected area in the South Caucasus, covering approximately 30,000-35,000 hectares—and the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) for rehabilitating red-listed species such as the Persian/Caucasian leopard, Armenian mouflon, Bezoar goat, and Brown bear. The foundation runs the SunChild Eco-Club Network (environmental education for ~2,000 youth since 2006), the SunChild International Environmental Festival (780+ films from 150 countries over 15+ years), SunChild EcoTours (ecotourism), and Eco-villages Development/Holani programs serving rural communities, with a stated goal of planting 700,000 native trees by 2027.

The underlying technology stack includes camera traps deployed since 2012 for leopard monitoring, remote sensing, online wildlife surveillance cameras, advanced fire prevention systems, and a closed-root system tree nursery using hydrogel for arid-land planting. The organization employs 18 staff and operates a donation-based revenue model with individual giving tiers starting at $10 and campaign-specific designations (tree planting, ranger support, bear cub rehabilitation, leopard conservation), supplemented by grants and corporate partnerships with World Land Trust, IUCN, BirdLife International, US Forest Service, GIZ, Darwin Initiative, and Viva-MTS. FPWC is preparing to host CBD COP17 in Yerevan in October 2026, accompanied by a Pre-COP17 High-Level Global Symposium on Conservation Governance (October 17-18, 2026), and has received recognition including the IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award (2022) and a Golden Medal from Armenia's Ministry of Environment.

Name

Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC)

Legal name

Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC)

Website

https://fpwc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FPWC is an Armenian nonprofit foundation operating the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (~30,000-35,000 hectares), Wildlife Rescue Center, and environmental education programs, serving endangered species, rural communities, and youth while preparing to host CBD COP17 in Yerevan in October 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Forestry (800)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAB

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAIAC

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Animal Welfare & Wildlife Rescue

SECONDARYBPAGAIAI

Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Animal Welfare & Wildlife Rescue

SECONDARYTHAAAAAG

Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Amusement Parks & Theme Parks

SECONDARYBPADALAF

Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Environmental education programs
• Ecotourism services
• Wildlife rehabilitation services
• Community development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Yerevan

HQ country

Armenia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: FPWC operates as a nonprofit foundation funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and international organizations. The website facilitates donations at specific giving levels ($10, $25, and custom amounts) with options to direct funds to specific campaigns such as tree planting, ranger support, bear cub rehabilitation, and leopard conservation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

FPWC delivers wildlife conservation, environmental education, and sustainable community development services through an integrated portfolio anchored by the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (the first privately protected area in the South Caucasus, ~30,000–35,000 hectares) and the Wildlife Rescue Center for red-listed species. It complements these with ecotourism experiences (SunChild EcoTours), youth environmental education (SunChild Eco-Club Network and SunChild International Environmental Festival), and community programs (eco-villages development, human-bear conflict mitigation, forest landscape restoration, bird conservation).

Product overview

FPWC operates a portfolio of interconnected conservation, education, and community development programs across Armenia. The core infrastructure is the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR) — the first privately protected area in the South Caucasus (~30,000–35,000 hectares) — supplemented by the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) for confiscated species rehabilitation. FPWC extends its reach through environmental education (SunChild Eco-Club Network, SunChild International Environmental Festival), sustainable community programs (Eco-villages Development, Holani), and targeted conservation initiatives including Forest Landscape Restoration, Human-Bear Conflict Mitigation, and Bird Conservation. Ecotourism is served via SunChild EcoTours, and FPWC convenes major policy forums including the Pre-COP17 High-Level Global Symposium on Conservation Governance and the resulting Yerevan Call to Action.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Caucasus Wildlife Refuge (CWR) The first privately protected area in the South Caucasus, encompassing approximately 30,000–35,000 hectares in Armenia. Provides habitat protection for endangered species including the Persian leopard, Bezoar goat, Armenian mouflon, and Brown bear, supported by ranger patrols, camera traps, and biodiversity monitoring.
• Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) Armenia's first wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center for red-listed species illegally held in captivity. Manages bear rescue and cub rehabilitation, releasing animals back into the wild following international animal care standards.
• SunChild EcoTours (SET) Ecotourism program that engages tourists in FPWC's conservation movement, creates economic opportunities for rural Armenians, and builds a sustainable tourism niche in Armenia.
• SunChild Eco-Club Network Nationwide environmental education network for children and youth in remote rural communities. Since 2006, approximately 2,000 youths have taken environmental education courses through this structure.
• SunChild International Environmental Festival Armenia's first and only international environmental film festival. Has screened over 780 films from 150 countries across 15 years, with annual events including carnivals, seminars, conferences, and exhibitions across Armenian regions.
• Forest Landscape Restoration Reforestation and habitat restoration program using innovative nursery technologies, including closed-root-system seedling production. FPWC aims to plant 700,000 native trees by 2027 under this program.
• Human-Bear Conflict Mitigation Program using electric fences and supplementary feeding to reduce human-wildlife conflict, protecting rural communities while maintaining safe environments for wild animals.
• Eco-villages Development Community development initiative creating infrastructure and employment opportunities in rural Armenian communities, including solar energy solutions, water supply improvements, and energy-efficient lighting.
• Bird Conservation Bird conservation program focused on monitoring and protecting endangered and vulnerable bird species in Armenia.
• Holani Sustainable community initiative and eco-village program managed under FPWC's community development portfolio.
• Pre-COP17 High-Level Global Symposium on Conservation Governance A two-day high-level symposium convened by FPWC ahead of CBD COP17 (October 17–18, 2026, Yerevan, Armenia) to advance recognition of OECMs and produce the Yerevan Call to Action policy instrument for COP17.

Quantifiable outcome

• Since 2010, wildlife populations have grown in both size and range across CWR protected area, including Bezoar goat, Brown bear, Eurasian lynx, and Grey wolf
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministry of Environment of the Republic of ArmeniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026Government ministry and primary institutional partner for COP17 hosting and biodiversity conservation governance in Armenia. Co-organizer of Pre-COP17 Symposium and working group member.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of ArmeniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026Government ministry supporting COP17 hosting and international conservation diplomacy efforts.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026Global conservation organization with FPWC as member. IUCN Regional Councilor Ruben Khachatryan serves on IUCN bodies. Co-organizer of Pre-COP17 Symposium with multiple institutional partners.
• BirdLife InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026Global bird conservation organization and symposium institutional partner, contributing to conservation governance discussions.
• World Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026UK-based conservation charity supporting CWR land acquisition and protection since 2010. Major partner in private protected area development.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026UN Armenia office and CBD initiatives. UN Resident Coordinator Francoise Jacob visited CWR ahead of COP17. Co-organizer of COP17 Media School.
• GIZcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 October 2026German development agency co-organizer of COP17 Media School with support from EU and BMUKN.
• United States Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS government agency providing support for forest fire prevention, ranger capacity building, and technical equipment for CWR since 2020.
• Viva-MTS (Ucom)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor corporate partner and sponsor since CWR establishment. Provides telecommunications support and has invested in conservation programs including tree nursery establishment in 2016.
• International Animal RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational animal welfare organization partnering on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation initiatives.
• Darwin InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK government biodiversity funding program supporting conservation projects.
• Bears in MindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational bear conservation organization supporting bear rescue and welfare programs.
• Wilderness and CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization supporting wildlife and cultural heritage preservation.
• Hovaz (Wine Formula LLC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor allocating 10% of Hovaz wine profits to Caucasian leopard conservation. Event sponsor at CWR 10th anniversary.
• Goethe-InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman cultural institute conducting annual camps at CWR for environmental education.
• Armenian Public TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic broadcaster covering FPWC conservation work and environmental initiatives.
• ArmSwissBankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Pre-COP17 Symposium.
• IUCN National Committee of ArmeniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational IUCN committee recently established; FPWC is a member organization.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• World Land Trust: UK-based conservation charity focused on land acquisition and protection for habitat creation. It is already an FPWC partner funding CWR land since 2010, making it the closest peer in private protected-area management model.
• BirdLife International: Global bird conservation partnership and FPWC institutional partner (Araves organization is BirdLife's Armenia affiliate). Directly comparable in species-monitoring, protected-area advocacy, and policy engagement at international conventions.
• Fauna & Flora International (FFI): International species-focused conservation NGO combining protected-area management, species recovery, and local capacity building — closely mirroring FPWC's integrated approach to endangered species (Persian leopard, Bezoar goat) and community-based conservation.
• International Animal Rescue: International animal welfare and wildlife rescue organization already partnered with FPWC on bear rescue and rehabilitation. Closest direct peer for the Wildlife Rescue Center's bear cub rehabilitation and release-to-wild program.
• Panthera: Global wild-cat conservation organization that actively works on Persian leopard recovery across the Caucasus and Iran. Highly comparable in species focus (FPWC's leopard recovery program) and in partnering with national governments on protected-area work.
• NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Large German nature conservation association with active Caucasus programs, education networks, and partner-supported protected areas. Directly comparable to FPWC's combination of habitat protection, environmental education, and EU-funded international cooperation (GIZ/governmental partnerships).
• Bears in Mind: International bear conservation foundation already partnered with FPWC on bear rescue and welfare. Most directly comparable peer for FPWC's bear-cub rehabilitation and release-to-wild program at the Wildlife Rescue Center.

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Global conservation organization combining zoo/aquarium operations with field conservation programs worldwide. Comparable in the integration of wildlife rescue, protected-area management, and public education, but at far greater scale and geographic breadth.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): Largest global conservation nonprofit operating private and public protected areas, reforestation at scale, and policy advocacy. Relevant peer for FPWC's 35,000-hectare refuge model, 700,000-tree reforestation commitment, and COP-adjacent policy positioning — though at vastly greater scale.

Regional players

• Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF): Regional conservation trust fund for the Caucasus (including Armenia and Georgia) supporting protected areas. Operates in the same geography with a similar funder/conservation-NGO bridge model, but from a grantmaking rather than field-operations standpoint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FpwcOrganization
• Facebookfacebook.com/fpwc.arm
• Instagraminstagram.com/fpwc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-for-the-preservation-of-wildlife-and-cultural-assets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries7 records

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 Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC)