Fundação Príncipe

What Fundação Príncipe does

Fundação Príncipe is a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 2015 and headquartered in Santo António on Príncipe Island, São Tomé and Príncipe. The organization is dedicated to biodiversity conservation across the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Príncipe archipelago, operating three flagship programs: ProTetuga (sea turtle conservation), Omali Vida Nón (Marine Protected Area network), and Liqueza Téla Nón (terrestrial biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management). It serves local fishing communities across 26 settlements, the Regional Government of Príncipe, the Príncipe Natural Park, women's associations, schools, and approximately 30 local tourist guides, employing roughly 40-50 staff of which over 90% are local to the island.

The foundation's technical operations rely on conservation technology including the SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) for protected area patrol and monitoring, biodiversity research partnerships with academic institutions such as the University of Lisbon (CESAM) and MARE - Marine and Environmental Research Centre, and a formal network of 8 Marine Protected Areas established through participatory co-management. It has identified 25 High Conservation Value areas across Príncipe Island and produced peer-reviewed research on the Critically Endangered Príncipe Thrush and Brown booby populations. The organization also operates community-facing programs including environmental education, women's empowerment, and waste transformation initiatives with groups such as Facilita Fora Umuén and Tchada Women's Association, and maintains a turtle adoption donation program with a minimum €10 contribution.

Fundação Príncipe's revenue is generated entirely through grants and donations, supported by a network of over 15 international funders including the Darwin Initiative, Arcadia, Blue Action Fund, CEPF, GEF (via UNDP), the European Union, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Rufford Foundation. Distribution and outreach operate through direct program implementation in partnership with regional authorities, community workshops, digital marketing via website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest), and participation in international conservation forums including the UN Ocean Conference. Its value proposition is anchored in a community-led conservation model that integrates sustainable livelihoods with biodiversity protection, distinguishing it from purely top-down enforcement approaches.

Name

Fundação Príncipe

Legal name

Fundação Principe

Website

https://fundacaoprincipe.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fundação Príncipe is a Príncipe Island-based NGO founded in 2015 that implements marine and terrestrial biodiversity conservation programs through participatory co-management with 26 fishing communities and regional government authorities, funded by 15+ international donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI)

Keywords

• Biodiversity conservation
• Marine protected areas
• Sea turtle protection
• Environmental NGO
• Island conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Santo António

HQ country

São Tomé & Príncipe

Offices2 records

Markets served

Revenue model

1. Turtle Adoption Donations: Minimum 10€ donation to adopt a baby turtle. Donors receive information about their turtle and can support conservation efforts directly.
2. International Funding and Grants: Funding from international organizations including Darwin Initiative, Arcadia, Blue Action Fund, CEPF, GEF, UNDP, and various private foundations to support conservation projects.
3. Project Implementation: Implementation of conservation projects in partnership with regional authorities, funded by international donors and government programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fundação Príncipe is a non-governmental, non-profit organization based on Príncipe Island in São Tomé and Príncipe, founded in 2015, that delivers biodiversity conservation services across marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It runs long-term programs for sea turtle protection, marine protected area management, and terrestrial habitat conservation, while employing and training a predominantly local workforce and engaging island communities in stewardship activities.

Product overview

Fundação Príncipe is a non-governmental organization (ONG) dedicated to biodiversity conservation on Príncipe Island, São Tomé and Príncipe. Rather than offering a traditional tech product, the organization implements conservation programs including marine conservation, terrestrial conservation, and community engagement initiatives. Its flagship programs include ProTetuga (sea turtle conservation), Omali Vida Nón (marine protected areas network), and Liqueza Téla Nón (terrestrial biodiversity conservation). The organization also offers a turtle adoption program and organizes community development and environmental education activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ProTetuga: Flagship programme focused on sea turtle conservation on Príncipe Island
• Omali Vida Nón
• Liqueza Téla Nón

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 Marine Protected Areas established through participatory process involving 26 fishing communities
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Partners Conservation AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2022Global alliance of 27 conservationists from 22 countries working to improve biodiversity conservation practices. Dr. Estrela Matilde serves as Executive Director.
• Fauna & Flora InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey international conservation partner supporting marine protected area establishment, sea turtle conservation, and community engagement programs. Provided Marsh Award to foundation staff member Lindo. Co-manages the Mentorship Program for Civil Society Organizations.
• BirdLife InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in ECOFAC VI initiative for High Conservation Value areas identification. Leading consortium of NGOs for terrestrial conservation project 'Liqueza Téla Nón'. Supports SMART monitoring tool training.
• SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese bird conservation partner for international exchange program on invasive species control and seabird monitoring.
• WildAid MarinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican non-profit providing consultants for MPA surveillance and patrol training, helping develop national strategy for marine protected area enforcement.
• OikoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of 1st São Tomé and Príncipe Sea Conference focused on coastal and marine ecosystem challenges.
• MARE - Marine and Environmental Research CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner co-organizing Sea Conference and collaborating on marine biodiversity research with ISPA and University of Lisbon.
• University of Lisbon (CESAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Brown booby foraging ecology research, published in peer-reviewed journal. Part of ECOFAC VI initiative.
• Regional Government of PríncipecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for all conservation projects, co-management of protected areas, and regional development alignment.
• Príncipe Natural Park (PNP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for terrestrial conservation, biodiversity monitoring, and HCV area identification and management.
• Artisan Association of Príncipe Facilita Fora UmuénminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's group supported through Protetuga Community Fund, transforming waste from turtle nesting beach into jewelry and crafts.
• Tchada Women's AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 'Changing the world through women's hands' project, involved in Capture Zero awareness campaigns and reusable pad production.
• Programa Tatô!minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partnership for women's empowerment project contributing to menstrual poverty eradication.
• Adolescer ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting women's empowerment initiatives through project coordination and community outreach.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Nature Seychelles: Seychelles-based environmental NGO operating Cousin Island and other protected areas through co-management with government. Highly comparable as a small island-state conservation NGO with community-led and government-partnered protected area management.
• BirdLife International: Global bird and habitat conservation NGO and core strategic partner of Fundação Príncipe (leading the Liqueza Téla Nón terrestrial project). Comparable as a federation implementing site-based conservation with local partner NGOs in island and tropical ecosystems.
• Blue Ventures: Marine conservation NGO partnering with coastal communities to establish locally-managed marine areas and sustainable fisheries. Highly comparable to Fundação Príncipe's MPA co-management approach with fishing communities.
• WildAid Marine: Strategic partner of Fundação Príncipe providing MPA surveillance and patrol training. Comparable marine-focused conservation NGO working on enforcement capacity in developing-country marine protected areas.
• Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF): Public trust managing Aldabra and Vallée de Mai UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seychelles. Comparable as a small-island conservation management organization running protected area programs with community and government involvement.
• Fauna & Flora International: Global conservation NGO and core partner of Fundação Príncipe (funding the Marsh Award recipient and Blue Action Fund MPA work). Comparable as a UK-headquartered NGO implementing species and habitat conservation projects in biodiversity hotspots through local partnerships.
• Island Conservation: Specialist NGO focused on preventing extinctions on islands through invasive species removal and protected area establishment — directly comparable mission given Fundação Príncipe's invasive species challenges and island geography.

Broad incumbents

• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Major global conservation organization with significant marine and terrestrial programs. Comparable in protected area management approach but operates at much larger scale across multiple geographies.
• Conservation International: Large global conservation NGO working across biodiversity hotspots including island ecosystems. Broader scale and portfolio than Fundação Príncipe, but overlapping mission, funder ecosystem, and protected area methodology.

Regional players

• SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves): Portuguese bird conservation NGO and core strategic partner of Fundação Príncipe (collaboration on invasive species and seabird monitoring). Comparable mission in bird conservation and similar Lusophone regional footprint, though primarily Portugal-based.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FundacaoPrincipe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundacaoprincipe

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Fundação Príncipe