Fundación Progressio Ecuador

What Fundación Progressio Ecuador does

Fundación Progressio Ecuador is a non-profit civil society organization founded in 2020 in Quito, Ecuador, in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation designs and implements inclusive and sustainable development programs across seven thematic areas: cultural heritage, solidarity-based economic development, organizational strengthening, people in human mobility, food sovereignty, sustainable tourism and environment, and volunteering. Its primary beneficiaries are rural and indigenous communities (Kichwa, Shuar, Afroecuatorian), migrants and refugees, women and historically marginalized groups, and volunteers, with programs extending into all 24 provinces of Ecuador and an explicit national positioning through the Proyecto Ecuador 200/90 initiative aligned to the country's 2030 bicentennial.

The foundation operates not as a technology company but as a development platform, executing programs through strategic partnerships with international cooperation agencies (GIZ, IOM, UNV, Rotary International, the US State Department's OES, EU-ALC ADELANTE 2), academic institutions (PUCE, USFQ, Universidad de Cuenca, Universidad de las Artes, IAEN), and local governments (GAD Riobamba and others). It also runs social-enterprise-adjacent initiatives such as HOPE – Cacao para un Mundo Mejor (fine-flavor Ecuadorian cacao for international markets tied to Chocó Andino conservation) and operates cultural facilities including Casa Amamora and the planned Museo Cultural del Agave Andino – Tzawar Tunku. Its technology footprint is minimal, limited to a WordPress website, standard social media channels, and the use of the Groasis Waterboxx irrigation device in field projects.

Financially, the foundation is funded entirely through international cooperation grants and project-based donations rather than commercial revenue. It maintains a small core team of 6 employees in Ecuador, supplemented by an unpaid volunteer and coordinator network spanning the United States, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, and Mexico. The organization has no disclosed revenue figures, no capital raises, no patents or trademarks, and no commercial pricing, making its financial profile fundamentally that of a grant-funded civil society organization rather than an investable enterprise.

Name

Fundación Progressio Ecuador

Legal name

Fundación Progressio Ecuador

Website

https://progressioecuador.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fundación Progressio Ecuador is a Quito-based non-profit foundation founded in 2020 that designs and implements inclusive sustainable development programs in partnership with international cooperation agencies, universities, and local governments, serving indigenous, migrant, and rural communities across Ecuador and a diaspora coordinator network in seven other countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) & Reporting for Donor Programs (BPADAOAL), Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs (BPADABAN), Community-Based & Indigenous-Led Ecotourism (THAAAEAH), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Services (Restoration, Wildlife-Safe Operations) (THAAANAH)

Keywords

• Sustainable development programs
• Community empowerment initiatives
• International cooperation projects
• Cultural heritage preservation
• Migration assistance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Quito

HQ country

Ecuador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. International Cooperation and Development Funding: The foundation operates primarily through international cooperation funding from organizations such as GIZ, IOM, UNV (UN Volunteers), and bilateral/multilateral aid programs. Projects are developed in alignment with ODS 17 (Partnerships for Sustainable Development) and funded through development cooperation mechanisms.
2. Project-Based Funding: Implementation of specific development projects funded by international donors, foundations, and government programs. Examples include environmental protection projects, migration support programs, and community development initiatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Fundación Progressio Ecuador is a non-profit foundation that designs and implements sustainable development projects in Ecuador and abroad, operating across seven thematic areas: cultural heritage preservation, sustainable economic development, organizational strengthening, migration/human mobility support, food sovereignty, sustainable tourism and environment, and volunteering. It delivers projects in partnership with international organizations (GIZ, IOM, UNV, Rotary International), local governments (GADs), indigenous and rural communities, and academic institutions. Standalone named offerings include the HOPE fine cacao initiative, the Casa Amamora cultural venue, the planned Museo Cultural del Agave Andino (Tzawar Tunku), and the "Manos que crean y arrullan" art exhibition program.

Product overview

Fundación Progressio Ecuador is a non-profit organization that does not offer a traditional software product. Instead, it provides social programs and community initiatives focused on inclusive and sustainable development. Its offerings include the HOPE cacao project (premium chocolate production for international markets), Casa Amamora (a cultural venue for exhibitions and community events), the planned Museo Cultural del Agave Andino – Tzawar Tunku (a museum dedicated to Andean agave heritage), and the 'Manos que crean y arrullan' exhibition program. The organization also implements thematic programs in areas including cultural heritage preservation, economic development, organizational strengthening, human mobility support, food sovereignty, tourism and environment, and volunteering across Ecuador.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HOPE - Cacao para un Mundo Mejor: A project combining fine Ecuadorian cocoa with sustainability and community development, creating high-quality chocolate for international markets while protecting ecosystems and promoting fair trade.

Products and services

• HOPE - Cacao para un Mundo Mejor (HOPE - Cacao for a Better World)

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 20 academic encounters organized through REDLAC network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• IAEN (Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Ecuadorian national institute for advanced studies collaborating on international forums about sustainable tourism, peace, and security.
• Embajada del Ecuador en ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Ecuadorian Embassy in Italy co-sponsoring the 'Concierto desde la Mitad del Mundo' cultural event in Rome.
• REDLAC (Red Latinoamericana de Coordinación Académica en Migración y Refugio)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Latin American network for academic coordination on migration and refuge. Progressio Ecuador is a founding member. Has organized 20+ academic encounters with experts from Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, USA, and Peru.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development organization partnering with Progressio Ecuador for sustainable development projects. GIZ provides technical expertise and funding for development cooperation initiatives in Ecuador.
• IOM (International Organization for Migration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN migration agency collaborating on migration and human mobility projects. IOM works with Progressio on programs supporting migrants and refugees in Ecuador.
• UNV (United Nations Volunteers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Volunteers program that has enabled Progressio Ecuador's digital volunteering program. Over 60 digital volunteers from various continents have contributed to more than 20 projects through this partnership.
• Rotary InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal service organization partnering on community development projects. The Club Rotario Machala Moderno specifically collaborated on the sustainable orchards project in Isla Costa Rica.
• PUCE (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Ecuadorian university collaborating on research and knowledge production for sustainable development initiatives.
• USFQ (Universidad San Francisco de Quito)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate university collaborating on studies of advanced inequalities and academic activities related to migration and human mobility.
• ANAGAVEC (Asociación Nacional de las Cadenas Productivas del Penco y la Cabuya)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational association working together to declare Agave Andino as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ecuador. Joint project includes the Agave Andino Museum design and sustainable production model.
• GITOC (Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization providing support for community monitoring projects against environmental crimes. Collaborated on páramo protection in La Esperanza, Ibarra.
• Club Rotario Machala ModernocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Rotary club that was key in managing and executing the sustainable orchards project on Isla Costa Rica, with President Eliana Correa leading the initiative.
• Groasis WaterboxxsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationTechnology provider for the sustainable orchards project. Their Waterboxx device allows planting trees in any soil type while saving up to 90% water compared to traditional irrigation.
• Armada del Ecuador (Ecuadorian Navy)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment institution providing technical support and logistical assistance for the sustainable orchards project in the Jambelí Archipelago.
• OIM (Organización Internacional para las Migraciones)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Organization for Migration supporting REDLAC activities and collaborating on migration policy and protection initiatives.
• ACNUR (Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Refugiados)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Refugee Agency participating in REDLAC network activities and supporting refugee protection in Latin America.
• Skal InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's largest tourism organization with 12,000+ members. Progressio is supporting the re-establishment of Club Skal Quito-Galápagos and collaborating on sustainable tourism development.
• World Peace RoutessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational platform promoting slow tourism and peace-building through cultural routes. Progressio collaborates on building tourism routes based on Ecuadorian traditions and heritage.
• Universidad de CuencasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity collaborating on the 'Manos que crean y arrullan' art exhibition project on care and cultural heritage.
• Universidad de las ArtessecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts university collaborating on sociocultural innovation and care policies research project with Progressio.
• Fundación ARTRAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting the 'Manos que crean y arrullan' art exhibition and research project on care as cultural practice.
• GAD RiobambacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutonomous Decentralized Government of Riobamba partnering on the Migrant House project, providing technical assistance for migration services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hivos: International development organization backing civic innovation, environmental sustainability, and gender equality in Latin America. Comparable as a non-profit donor and partner with similar portfolio approach to community empowerment and intersectional programming.
• Skal International: World's largest sustainable tourism professional organization with 12,000+ members globally. Direct partner of Progressio Ecuador on sustainable tourism in the Galápagos; comparable network-driven model and overlapping stakeholder base in tourism development.
• World Peace Routes: International platform promoting slow tourism and peace-building through cultural heritage routes. Direct partner of Progressio Ecuador; overlapping mission on heritage-based tourism as a development tool.
• EcoCiencia: Ecuadorian environmental NGO promoting biodiversity research and conservation with indigenous communities. Directly comparable as a domestic non-profit working at the intersection of ecosystem protection and community empowerment in Ecuador.
• Avina Foundation: Latin American foundation focused on sustainable development through partnership-building across multiple countries. Directly comparable as a regionally focused grantmaker and convener with community-led programming, similar donor architecture, and cross-border presence.

Broad incumbents

• WWF Ecuador: Global conservation organization operating in Ecuador with programs on páramo protection, sustainable production, and indigenous partnerships. Overlaps on ecosystem preservation mission and community engagement model, though at much larger scale.
• Conservation International Ecuador: Global environmental NGO with active Ecuador operations covering Chocó Andino and páramo conservation. Comparable in environmental scope and community-based conservation model, but with substantially larger resources and global brand.
• GIZ Ecuador: German development cooperation agency with major Ecuador presence funding sustainable development projects. Comparable as a funder and operational partner, but at vastly larger scale and with government-aligned mandate rather than civil society focus.
• IUCN South America Regional Office: International conservation union coordinating biodiversity work in South America. Comparable on nature conservation, indigenous rights in protected areas, and sustainable development frameworks across Ecuador and the Andean region.

Emerging players

• GITOC (Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime): International organization working on environmental crime and community resilience. Direct partner of Progressio on páramo protection in Ibarra; comparable niche focus on community monitoring against environmental threats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/progressioecu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fundacionprogressioec
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundaci%C3%B3n-progressio-ecuador
• Instagraminstagram.com/progressioecu
• TikToktiktok.com/@fundacionprogressioecuad

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fundación Progressio Ecuador