Marca-ADL

What Marca-ADL does

Marca-ADL – Associação de Desenvolvimento Local is a Portuguese non-profit association founded in 2015 and headquartered in Montemor-o-Novo (district of Évora, Alentejo region). The organization operates across three integrated verticals: (1) a certified plant nursery producing over 200 species of native Portuguese Mediterranean flora, recognized by ICNF and DGAV; (2) environmental services including green space management, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and post-planting maintenance; and (3) a community intervention methodology branded as Verde Bairro, which engages citizens in co-designing and co-managing public green spaces for climate adaptation and social cohesion. A multidisciplinary team of 7 staff (psychologists, biologists, designers, agronomic engineers, and administrators) delivers these services.

The business model is a hybrid of self-generated service revenue and public grant funding. Self-generated streams include plant nursery sales (quote-based, tailored to landscape architecture projects), green area management services, corporate team experiences for groups of 5-120 participants, and Verde Bairro consultancy for municipalities and parish councils. The majority of operating capital, however, is sourced through European Commission programmes (LIFE+, Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps, EIT Urban Mobility, VINCI Programme), Portuguese national funds (Fundo Ambiental, IPDJ, IEFP, DGS), and foundations (Stiftung Mercator). The organization has held multiple consortium-lead roles in transnational projects spanning Portugal, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Malta, France, Germany, Slovenia, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Georgia.

The customer base is hybrid: B2G (municipalities, parish councils, public health authorities), B2B (corporate groups seeking team-building experiences), and B2C-with-public-funding (young volunteers, educational institutions, vulnerable populations). The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging workshops, volunteer programs, Eurodesk information sessions, and direct nursery-based engagements. Despite a small physical footprint in Montemor-o-Novo, the organization has built European-scale project reach through grant-funded transnational partnerships, positioning it as a niche specialist in community-based urban naturalization rather than a high-volume commercial operator.

Name

Marca-ADL

Legal name

Marca-ADL – Associação de Desenvolvimento Local

Website

https://marca-adl.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Marca-ADL is a Portuguese non-profit association that runs a certified native-plant nursery, delivers green-area management services, and applies its Verde Bairro community methodology to urban naturalization projects for municipalities, corporate groups, and youth programs across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental and Community Development Services

NAICS

Nursery and Tree Production (111421), Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (113210)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Nursery Production (Woody Ornamentals: Trees, Shrubs, Roses) (AFAGAHAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Native Species & Restoration Plant Nurseries (AFAMADAF), Invasive Species Control & Site Restoration (Pre/Post Planting) (AFAMACAN), Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)

Keywords

• Native plant nursery
• Green area management
• Urban naturalization services
• Environmental consulting
• Community engagement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Montemor-o-Novo

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Plant Nursery Sales: Production and commercialization of native Portuguese Mediterranean plant species for nature conservation projects, low-impact gardens, green infrastructure, and watercourse restoration.
2. Environmental Services: Green area management services including planting, natural regeneration management, selective vegetation clearance, invasive plant control, habitat restoration, and post-planting maintenance.
3. Corporate Team Experiences: Team-building activities for corporate groups at the nursery, including nature conservation activities and creative experiences for 5-120 participants. Full-day programs available including local gastronomy.
4. Consultancy Services: Verde Bairro methodology consultancy for municipalities and local organizations seeking to naturalize urban spaces and strengthen community ties.
5. Funding and Grants: Non-profit organization funded primarily through European programs including Erasmus+, LIFE Programme, European Solidarity Corps, European Commission, Environmental Fund, VINCI Programme, and national sources like IPDJ, IEFP.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Marca-ADL operates a certified native plant nursery producing over 100 species of Portuguese Mediterranean flora and delivers green area management services (planting, natural regeneration, invasive species control, habitat restoration). It also offers corporate team-building experiences, creative tourism programs, and the Verde Bairro methodology for community-led urban naturalization. The non-profit combines nursery production with environmental consulting, education, and European-funded project delivery focused on biodiversity, climate adaptation, and rural community development.

Product overview

Marca-ADL is a non-profit local development association offering an integrated portfolio of environmental and community services. The core offerings include a certified plant nursery producing over 200 native Portuguese species, comprehensive green area management services, and the innovative Verde Bairro methodology for urban green space transformation. Additional services encompass corporate team experiences, creative tourism (Saídas de Mestre), coworking space, Eurodesk information services, and youth volunteering programs. The organization operates various European-funded projects including GO RURAL 2.0, Verde Bairro 2.0, Green Libraries, and Emergency Cord. These products and services work together to address environmental conservation, community development, and sustainable territorial development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plant Nursery (Viveiro) Certified native plant nursery producing and commercializing over 100 species of Portuguese Mediterranean flora (terrestrial and riparian), with tailored production available for landscape architecture projects. Recognized by ICNF and DGAV. Over 200 species produced since 2015.
• Green Areas Management Services Comprehensive green space management services including planting, natural regeneration management, selective vegetation clearance, invasive plant control, habitat restoration, and post-planting maintenance for municipalities, conservation projects, and private clients.
• Corporate Team Experiences Nature conservation and creative team-building activities for corporate groups of 5 to 120 participants at the Marca-ADL nursery, designed to enhance team cohesion with environmental impact. Full-day programs available including local gastronomy.
• Verde Bairro Methodology Community-based intervention methodology and consultancy service that transforms public urban green spaces into climate change adaptation infrastructure and social cohesion platforms through co-design and co-management with citizens. Provided to municipalities and local organizations.
• Creative Tourism (Saídas de Mestre) Creative tourism program combining local knowledge, art, heritage, and environment through workshops, walks, and visits developed in partnership with local organizations.
• Cowork Space Workspace and support services for unemployed, self-employed, entrepreneurs, microenterprises, and independent professionals to develop and consolidate projects at Marca-ADL's Montemor-o-Novo location.
• Eurodesk Services European information network service providing guidance and support on mobility, participation, learning, and volunteering opportunities across Europe including European Solidarity Corps programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18 activities with 300+ participants in SPACES project
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Estação Cooperativa de Casa BrancacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2027Lead organization of Emergency Cord project under Évora_27 European Capital of Culture programme, combining public art, participatory landscape design and environmental regeneration.
• Trevessu (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Coordinator of COLAB project (Training for the Future of Coworking) aimed at improving understanding of sustainable coworking models at local level to promote best practices and shape European policies.
• NBS – Climate (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in COLAB project (Training for the Future of Coworking) focused on sustainable coworking models and community leadership for local regeneration.
• Associação Oficinas do ConventocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with Associação Oficinas do Convento in Go_Rural project under European Solidarity Corps Programme, hosting 10 young volunteers from Portugal and other European countries to promote cultural and environmental heritage of Montemor-o-Novo.
• Kırkayak Kültür (Turkey)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with Turkish organization Kırkayak Kültür from Gaziantep for SPACES project - Social Pathways: A Community Engagement Methodology. Connects Portugal and Turkey in developing participatory community intervention methodology for green space creation/adaptation.
• ALDA (Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coordinator of THE:PLACE programme in partnership with MAD association, building lasting Turkey-EU networks between Civil Society Organizations working on local issues.
• MAD AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Coordinator of THE:PLACE programme with ALDA, promoting exchange between Civil Society Organizations and Local Authorities for local development.
• COFAC - Universidade Lusófona (Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner in Erasmus+ Be-green project 'Beauty has never been so green' promoting environmental sustainability in cosmetics and beauty industry.
• Go Green Salons (Malta)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner in Erasmus+ Be-green project promoting environmental sustainability in cosmetics industry across Portugal and Malta through research, training, and ecological beauty fairs.
• União de Freguesias de Vila, Bispo e SilveirasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Local partner in Verde Bairro project for community interventions in historic center of Montemor-o-Novo.
• Montis - Associação para a Conservação da NaturezacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership in Nature.com European Solidarity Corps volunteering project and LIFE VOLUNTEER ESCAPES project. Montis coordinated LIFE VOLUNTEER ESCAPES which tested feasibility of using ESC volunteers for nature conservation activities.
• Associação Plantar 1 ÁrvorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership in Nature.com individual volunteering project under European Solidarity Corps, hosting 15 volunteers from various European countries for climate change mitigation and rural community challenges.
• Associação PROSEC (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Coordinator of Youth Access to Grow project (Erasmus+ KA2) with partners from Estonia, Bulgaria and Georgia, creating network for youth with fewer opportunities.
• VERde NOVOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2020Partnership in SECTUR project (Sustainability and Circular Economy in Tourism) funded by Environmental Fund. Developed manual and guide for sustainability practices in rural tourism in Natura 2000 areas.
• SIGMAmenteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with SIGMAmente in 'À Volta das Conversas' project under National Programme for Mental Health, promoting mental health and well-being of young people through social and emotional skills development.
• Associação Entretodos (Between)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Lead promoter of 'À Volta das Conversas' project funded by Directorate-General for Health, using Circles of Citizenship methodology developed with ISCTE-IUL for youth mental health promotion.
• Casa João CidademinorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Local partner in Duoday project for employment awareness for all, implementing activities and events with vulnerable populations.
• CercimorminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Local partner in Duoday project for employment awareness activities.
• APPACDM ÉvoraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Local partner in Duoday project for employment awareness for people with disabilities.
• NereminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Local partner in Duoday project for employment awareness activities.
• Associação 29 de AbrilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Local partner in Duoday project for employment awareness activities.
• Universidade de ÉvoracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2015Coordination of LIFE LINES project (Linear Infrastructure Networks with Ecological Solutions) funded by LIFE+ Programme. Eight partner entities working to mitigate negative effects of linear infrastructures on wildlife species.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Associação Plantar 1 Árvore: Portuguese reforestation/tree planting NGO. Direct Marca-ADL partner in Nature.com European Solidarity Corps volunteering project. Operates similar activities (native species, youth volunteering, climate mitigation) and competes for the same funding streams and volunteers.
• VERde NOVO: Portuguese sustainability NGO. Direct partner in SECTUR project (Fundo Ambiental) developing sustainability manuals for rural tourism in Natura 2000 areas. Comparable in size, geographic focus (Alentejo), and mission around environmental education and community engagement.
• Quercus - Associação Nacional de Conservação da Natureza: Portugal's largest environmental NGO working on biodiversity, climate change, and environmental education. Comparable in mission (nature conservation, community engagement) and multiple areas of operational overlap, though significantly larger in scale and member base.
• Associação Oficinas do Convento: Portuguese cultural and environmental NGO based in Montemor-o-Novo. Direct Marca-ADL partner in Go_Rural project under European Solidarity Corps. Comparable in locality, mission around heritage and environmental conservation, and youth volunteer programming.
• LPN - Liga para a Protecção da Natureza: One of Portugal's oldest environmental NGOs (founded 1948), focused on habitat conservation, species protection, and environmental education. Comparable in core mission of nature conservation and community engagement, with broader geographic presence.
• Montis - Associação para a Conservação da Natureza: Portuguese nature conservation NGO based in Alentejo. Direct Marca-ADL partner in LIFE VOLUNTEER ESCAPES and Nature.com projects focused on volunteer-led nature conservation activities, making it a close peer in mission, geography, and operating model.

Regional players

• Trevessu: Italian sustainability organization coordinating COLAB project on sustainable coworking models. Direct Marca-ADL partner in EU-funded projects. Comparable in European mobility/youth programming and community-led sustainability projects, but geographically anchored in Sardinia.
• Bosques Naturales: Spanish forestry company focused on native tree production, reforestation, and forest restoration. Most direct commercial parallel to Marca-ADL's native plant nursery, but operating at larger scale in Spain with a more commercial business model.
• Fundación Global Nature: Spanish nature conservation foundation working on habitat restoration, biodiversity, and rural development. Comparable in mission and activities (habitat restoration, native species, environmental education), but operates in Spain rather than Portugal.

Others

• ALDA - European Association for Local Democracy: European network supporting local democracy and civil society, coordinating THE:PLACE programme that Marca-ADL partners on. Functions as an enabling/network organization rather than direct competitor, providing template for how Marca-ADL could scale its community-led methodology through a federated model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@marcaadlngo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marcaadlngo
• Instagraminstagram.com/marca.adl.ngo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Marca-ADL