Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania

What Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania does

The Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA) is a Tirana-based non-governmental, non-profit organization established in June 2000 and registered as a charity by the District Court of Tirana in July 2004 under Decision No. 1087. Operating as Albania's leading environmental NGO, INCA delivers biodiversity assessments, protected-area management planning, GIS-based cartographic mapping, scientific research on flora and fauna, environmental education and capacity-building training, and policy advocacy in support of nature conservation and EU integration under Chapter 27 (Environment). Its core technology is a GIS database and cartography capability, supplemented by specialized monitoring methodologies such as OSPAR for river and coastal plastic-pollution assessment.

INCA serves government institutions (Ministry of Environment, municipalities, protected-area management bodies), educational institutions (schools and universities), local communities and youth groups, and other NGOs and civil society organizations across Albania and the Western Balkans region. The organization is funded entirely through competitive project grants from multilateral and bilateral donors including the EU, GEF, World Bank, UNDP, GIZ, KfW, SIDA, JICA, AICS, UNICEF, MAVA Foundation, and CEPF, with revenues derived from professional-services project implementation rather than commercial product sales. It holds IUCN membership (since December 2009), serves as the official representation office for WWF in Albania, and leads the Nature Protection Network comprising 8 organizations nationwide. Distribution is delivered through approximately 30 external national experts and contact persons covering districts across Albania, supplemented by regional partnerships in Montenegro, North Macedonia, Greece, and Italy.

Name

Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania

Legal name

Instituti për Ruajtjen e Natyrës në Shqipëri

Website

https://inca-al.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania (INCA) is a Tirana-based non-profit environmental NGO that delivers biodiversity assessments, GIS mapping, protected-area planning, and environmental education to government institutions, schools, and communities across Albania and the Western Balkans, funded by international grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Consulting Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIAMAG

Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration

SECONDARYBPAMANAK

GIS & Spatial Data Management Platforms

Business & Public Services/Web, Mobile & Digital Platforms/Maps, Location & Navigation Platforms

SECONDARYEUAHAAAC

EIA/ESIA Documentation & Technical Studies (Air/Water/Noise/Traffic)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & Permitting

Keywords

• Nature conservation services
• Biodiversity assessment consulting
• Environmental education training
• Protected area management
• GIS mapping services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tirana

HQ country

Albania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Project Grants and Funding: INCA operates as a non-profit NGO funded primarily through international project grants from organizations such as EU, GEF, World Bank, and bilateral donors. Revenue is generated through competitive project funding rather than commercial activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

INCA delivers environmental consulting, biodiversity assessments, and protected area management planning for coastal zones, forests, and tourism areas. It also provides database and GIS cartography services, scientific research on flora and fauna, environmental education and capacity building training, and meeting/workshop facilitation. All offerings are delivered as project-based services to public institutions, NGOs, and communities in Albania and the Western Balkans.

Product overview

INCA operates as a non-governmental environmental organization offering a portfolio of conservation and research services rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings include environmental consulting services (biodiversity assessments, strategic planning, protected area management), database and GIS mapping services, environmental education and capacity building training, and scientific research for flora and fauna. INCA also publishes the periodic 'Ditari i Natyrës' (Nature Diary) and maintains a public environmental reporting platform. The organization implements various conservation projects addressing marine protected areas, plastic pollution, sustainable grazing, and environmental education across Albania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EP-EACH: Environmental Protection - Education and Attitude Change project, a 36-month initiative implemented by INCA in partnership with SHKPSH and UNICEF, focusing on environmental education and behavioral change in Kukës, Elbasan, and Vlorë regions.
• Ditari i Natyrës

Products and services

• Environmental Consulting Services Professional consulting services including biodiversity assessments, environmental service evaluations, visibility studies with strategic document preparation, and protected area management planning for coastal zones, forests, and tourism areas. Targeted at public institutions, protected area management bodies, municipalities, and development partners.
• Database and GIS Mapping Services Development of databases and cartographic mapping using GIS technology for environmental monitoring and spatial analysis of biodiversity data.
• Environmental Education and Capacity Building Training Training programs for environmental education and capacity building activities targeting communities, institutions, schools, and stakeholders.
• Scientific Research Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80 projects successfully implemented since establishment
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2009INCA has been a member of IUCN since December 2009 and serves as the representation office for IUCN activities in Albania, participating in international conservation policy processes.
• GWP (Global Water Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2008INCA has been a member of the Global Water Partnership since December 2008, contributing to water resource management initiatives.
• WWF (World Wildlife Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINCA serves as the representation office for WWF in Albania, implementing conservation projects together and representing WWF interests in the country.
• UNICEFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on environmental education activities including children's programs and awareness campaigns (e.g., Children's Day celebrations, World Environment Day).
• UNESCOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for preservation of natural heritage and environmental education programs.
• MedPANmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Mediterranean Marine Protected Area managers; INCA participates in MPA NETWORKS project for Mediterranean marine conservation.
• Tour du ValatmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench conservation organization working on Mediterranean wetland and biodiversity protection.
• MEDWetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMediterranean wetland conservation network supporting wetland protection initiatives.
• PAP/RACminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPriority Actions Programme/Regional Activity Centre for sustainable development in the Mediterranean.
• Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench organization leading the fight against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean; INCA partners on BeMed+ project for plastic-free initiatives in Albania.
• Green Home (Kosovo)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKosovar NGO collaborating on cross-border ecological camps in the Grebajë Valley, involving Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro.
• ERA Group (Kosovo)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKosovar organization partnering on cross-border nature conservation and biodiversity education initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• Green Home (Kosovo): Kosovo-based environmental NGO partnering with INCA on cross-border ecological camps and conservation projects. Comparable in size, mission, and community-led model, operating in the same Western Balkans regional donor ecosystem.
• Tour du Valat: French scientific research center for Mediterranean wetlands and biodiversity, partnering with INCA on conservation projects. Comparable as a research-and-conservation hybrid organization with Mediterranean geographic focus.
• Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA): Leading Albanian environmental NGO focused on biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and protected area management. Closest direct peer to INCA within Albania, competing for similar donors, government contracts, and IUCN/WWF partnerships.
• MIO-ECSDE (Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development): Athens-based federation of Mediterranean environmental NGOs with overlapping mission on biodiversity, marine protection, and sustainable development. Comparable as a regional NGO coordinating members across multiple countries.
• EcoAlbania: Albanian environmental NGO working on biodiversity, environmental education, and conservation awareness. Directly comparable vertical, target audience, and funding sources as INCA.
• ERA Group (Kosovo): Kosovo environmental NGO partnering with INCA on cross-border nature conservation and biodiversity education initiatives. Similar in scope, regional positioning, and community engagement approach.

Broad incumbents

• MedPAN (Mediterranean Protected Areas Network): Network of Mediterranean marine protected area managers where INCA participates in the MPA NETWORKS project. Comparable as a regional conservation coordinating body; broader scope and larger institutional footprint.
• MedWet (Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative): Regional wetland conservation initiative of which INCA is a partner. Provides wetland policy and protection frameworks comparable to INCA's freshwater and protected area work, but at a larger, multi-country scope.
• WWF Adria: Regional WWF office for the Adriatic and Western Balkans, of which INCA serves as the WWF representation office in Albania. Comparable as a nature conservation organization operating in the same geographic footprint with deeper financial resources.

Others

• UNDP Albania: UN development agency implementing biodiversity and environmental projects in Albania, functioning as both funder and indirect implementer alongside INCA. Comparable on environmental program delivery in the same country, but as a much larger institutional actor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AlbaniaInca
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtsYv84HYOaGS7yez1Z7y_w/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/inca.albania
• Instagraminstagram.com/incaalbania/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-nature-conservation-in-albania

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute for Nature Conservation in Albania