The Gecko Project
The Gecko Project is a non-profit investigative journalism initiative (under UK parent Earthsight) that produces investigations, films, analysis and resources exposing corruption, environmental destruction and rights violations, primarily in Indonesia, distributed via its own sites and partnerships with Mongabay and BBC News Indonesia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The Gecko Project does
The Gecko Project is an investigative journalism initiative established by UK non-profit Earthsight and operated through Gecko Project Investigations Limited, registered in England and Wales (company number 11921955, registered office in London). It produces long-form investigative reporting, documentary films, expert analysis, and reusable resources focused on the intersection of corruption, environmental destruction, and rights violations, with a primary geographic focus on Indonesia and expanding coverage into West Africa and Latin America. Its editorial product spans four content formats — Investigations, Films, Analysis, and Resources — distributed through its own bilingual website (thegeckoproject.org and the Indonesian-language geckoproject.id), social channels, email newsletters, and co-publishing partnerships with Mongabay (notably the 'Indonesia for Sale' series) and BBC News Indonesia. The organization is a member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and operates with a small team of six, relying on grant and institutional funding rather than commercial revenue, with all content available free to the public.
The Gecko Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Gecko Project
- Legal name
- Gecko Project Investigations Limited
- Website
- https://thegeckoproject.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Gecko Project is a non-profit investigative journalism initiative (under UK parent Earthsight) that produces investigations, films, analysis and resources exposing corruption, environmental destruction and rights violations, primarily in Indonesia, distributed via its own sites and partnerships with Mongabay and BBC News Indonesia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Gecko Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Investigative Journalism
- NAICS
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Investigative & Nonprofit News Organizations (MPAJADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Investigative & Journalism Documentaries (MPADADAD), Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
Keywords
Where The Gecko Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Gecko Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Non-profit investigative journalism funding: The Gecko Project operates as an investigative journalism initiative established by UK-based non-profit Earthsight. The organization appears to rely on grant funding and institutional support rather than commercial revenue generation. Registered as Gecko Project Investigations Limited in England and Wales.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
The Gecko Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Gecko Project produces and publishes investigative journalism on corruption, climate destruction, rainforest destruction, and rights violations, with a focus on Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Its work is delivered through four content formats: in-depth Investigations, documentary Films, Analysis pieces, and Resources such as methodological guides and data tools for journalists and activists. Content is distributed free of charge via its own websites and through collaborations with media partners including Mongabay and BBC News Indonesia.
Product overview
The Gecko Project is an investigative journalism organization that operates as a single, unified content platform rather than a multi-module product suite. The organization produces four distinct content formats: Investigations (in-depth investigative reports), Films (documentary videos), Analysis (opinion and expert commentary), and Resources (methodology guides and data tools). These formats collectively focus on exposing corruption, environmental destruction, and rights violations in Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia's palm oil, mining, and deforestation sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Investigations In-depth investigative journalism exposing corruption, environmental destruction, and rights violations, with particular focus on Indonesia's palm oil industry, mining operations, and deforestation. Aimed at general readers, journalists, and policy/advocacy stakeholders.
- Films Documentary films and short videos covering environmental crises, land rights conflicts, and stories of communities affected by corporate and political corruption in Southeast Asia, including co-productions with BBC News Indonesia.
- Analysis Opinion pieces, expert commentary, and analytical articles exploring systemic issues behind environmental destruction and corruption, often featuring academic perspectives and policy analysis.
- Resources Methodological guides, data resources, and tools for journalists and activists to investigate land deals, corporate secrecy, and corruption red flags in Indonesian land and resource permits, including a database of palm oil smallholder conflicts and a methodology for calculating revenues from clearing Papuan rainforest.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nine months of investigative reporting on corruption in Indonesia's palm oil industry
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Gecko Project
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
The Gecko Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Gecko Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MongabaycoreLong-term collaboration partner for investigative journalism. Co-produced the 'Indonesia for Sale' series and other investigations. Mongabay is a specialized news outlet focused on environmental issues, providing publishing platform and editorial collaboration for Gecko Project investigations.
- BBC News IndonesiacoreCollaborated on joint investigation into Indonesia's plasma palm oil scheme, producing a documentary based on the investigation. BBC News Indonesia provides broadcast reach and credibility for the investigative content.
- GIJN (Global Investigative Journalism Network)minorMember organization providing connection to international investigative journalism community and resources.
- EarthsightcoreUK-based non-profit organization that established The Gecko Project as an investigative reporting initiative. Earthsight provides institutional support and is the parent organization behind the Gecko Project.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Gecko Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Bureau of Investigative Journalism: UK-based non-profit investigative journalism outlet producing long-form accountability reporting. Comparable in operating model (small team, grant-funded, public-interest investigations) and in its cross-border editorial scope.
- Forbidden Stories: Non-profit that continues the work of journalists who have been threatened, imprisoned, or killed. Highly comparable as a small, grant-funded, cross-border investigative organization that co-publishes through major media partners.
- OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project): Non-profit investigative journalism network focused on organized crime and corruption, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Global South. Directly comparable in grant-funded, cross-border accountability reporting model.
- ICIJ (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists): Global network coordinating cross-border investigative projects such as the Panama Papers. Comparable in mission of transnational accountability journalism and in leveraging collaborative co-publishing to amplify reach.
- Mongabay: Specialist environmental journalism outlet and the Gecko Project's principal co-publishing partner on the 'Indonesia for Sale' series. Both focus on deforestation, biodiversity, and supply-chain accountability, with overlapping audience and editorial mission.
Broad incumbents
- Earthsight: UK-based investigative non-profit and parent organization of The Gecko Project. Earthsight investigates opaque commodity supply chains (timber, palm oil, rubber) and shares the same editorial methodology and audience.
- ProPublica: Large US-based non-profit investigative newsroom producing long-form accountability journalism. Comparable in non-profit, grant-and-donor funded operating model and editorial mission, though with significantly greater scale.
- The Intercept: Independent investigative outlet producing long-form accountability reporting. Comparable in mission and non-profit/grant-supported operations, though The Intercept operates at substantially larger scale.
Regional players
- Tempo (Indonesia): Indonesian investigative news outlet covering governance, corruption, and environment. Comparable as an investigative journalism organization covering overlapping subject matter in Indonesia, with potential collaboration or competitive overlap on Gecko's core geography.
Emerging players
- Bellingcat: Open-source investigative outlet specializing in accountability investigations using public data. Comparable as a non-profit investigative organization, though Bellingcat's open-source intelligence methodology differs from Gecko's field reporting.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Gecko Project social profiles
Digital presenceThe Gecko Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Gecko Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Gecko Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Gecko Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Gecko Project
What does The Gecko Project do?
The Gecko Project produces and publishes investigative journalism on corruption, climate destruction, rainforest destruction, and rights violations, with a focus on Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Its work is delivered through four content formats: in-depth Investigations, documentary Films, Analysis pieces, and Resources such as methodological guides and data tools for journalists and activists. Content is distributed free of charge via its own websites and through collaborations with media partners including Mongabay and BBC News Indonesia.
Is The Gecko Project a public or private company?
The Gecko Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Gecko Project founded?
The Gecko Project was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Gecko Project based?
The Gecko Project is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Gecko Project make money?
One revenue line is on record: non-profit investigative journalism funding.
Who are The Gecko Project's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Forbidden Stories, OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project), ICIJ (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists) and Mongabay. Broad incumbents are Earthsight, ProPublica and The Intercept. Tempo (Indonesia) is listed as a regional player. Bellingcat is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Gecko Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Gecko Project.
What industry is The Gecko Project in?
The Gecko Project's product category is Investigative Journalism. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJADAF, Investigative & Nonprofit News Organizations, with a secondary code of MPADADAD, Investigative & Journalism Documentaries. Its NAICS code is 5131 and its SIC code is 2721.