Yunkawasi

What Yunkawasi does

Yunkawasi is a non-profit Peruvian civil association (Asociación Civil sin fines de lucro) founded in 2007 by Fanny Fernández Melo and Fanny M. Cornejo, dedicated to biodiversity conservation integrated with sustainable community development. The organization works directly with Amazonian and Andean communities across six Peruvian departments (Amazonas, Junín, Tumbes, Loreto, Piura, and Ucayali) on four strategic pillars: territorial conservation and governance, sustainable socioeconomic development, environmental communication and education, and applied conservation research. Its programmatic portfolio includes flagship species conservation (notably the Critically Endangered Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey and the Endangered Andean Night Monkey), forest restoration with native species (Polylepis), biodiversity monitoring via citizen science platforms such as eBird, and emerging community-led bird tourism through partner associations. Yunkawasi also publishes field guides and educational materials, distributes an Achórate Educational Kit to schools, and operates an online merchandise store.

The business model is grant-funded non-profit operation with two primary revenue streams: institutional donations and grants from international conservation funders (Andes Amazon Fund, Rainforest Trust, Conserva Aves, Profonanpe, New England Biolabs Foundation, and others, plus a 2023 Indianapolis Prize award of $50,000), and modest merchandise sales (bags, shirts, chocolates, accessories) through an online storefront. Distribution is direct field implementation with community partners rather than commercial channels; online donations are accepted via the Wildnet platform. Leadership is concentrated in Executive Director Fanny M. Cornejo, who holds IUCN and CITES governance roles and is pursuing a Ph.D. at Stony Brook University. Since 2023 the organization has secured a national legislative outcome (Law No. 32100), launched two Subnational Conservation Area proposals totaling 95,000+ hectares, and added the Sounds Right music-royalty partnership as a novel funding channel.

Name

Yunkawasi

Legal name

Yunkawasi

Website

https://yunkawasiperu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Yunkawasi is a Peruvian non-profit founded in 2007 that delivers community-led biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and sustainable livelihood programs for Amazonian and Andean communities across six departments in Peru.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (1132)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Forestry & Indigenous Land Stewardship Services (IMAMAJAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG), Timberland Conservation & Easement Management (AFAMAKAI), Jungle/Rainforest Expedition & Survival Tour Operators (THAAADAI)

Keywords

• Community-led conservation
• Wildlife protection
• Biodiversity research
• Environmental education
• Sustainable development

Headquarters

HQ city

Lima

HQ country

Peru

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Yunkawasi receives funding through donations and institutional grants from organizations supporting conservation and sustainable development initiatives in Peru.
2. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online store selling conservation-themed products including bags (bolsos), shirts (polos), chocolates, and accessories. These products are made by entrepreneurs committed to conservation of forests, water, and biodiversity in Peru.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Yunkawasi is a Peruvian non-profit civil association that implements community-led conservation programs in Peru's Amazon and Andean regions, focusing on endangered species protection (most notably the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey and Andean Night Monkey), biodiversity monitoring, environmental education, forest restoration, and sustainable livelihood development. The organization sells conservation-themed merchandise (bags, shirts, chocolates, accessories) and scientific publications through its online channels, and accepts donations through the Wildnet platform to support its conservation work.

Product overview

Yunkawasi is a Peruvian non-profit civil association (Asociación Civil) focused on conservation for people (Conservación para la gente). The organization operates as a portfolio of interconnected conservation programs rather than a technology product company. Its offerings include community-led conservation programs working with Amazonian and Andean communities, scientific publications and field guides, environmental education materials (such as the Achórate Educational Kit), forest restoration services, community-based bird tourism, and a merchandise store supporting conservation livelihoods. The core approach integrates conservation, sustainable socioeconomic development, environmental education, and participatory research across six Peruvian departments (Tumbes, Piura, Amazonas, Loreto, Ucayali, and Junín).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 81.5% habitat loss reversed through conservation efforts for Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Sounds RightflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Global initiative recognizing nature as official artist on music streaming platforms. Royalties from nature-inspired songs fund conservation through Sounds Right Conservation Fund. Partnership with Yunkawasi strengthened six local conservation organizations, three community biodiversity monitoring committees, over 500 students, and 50 teachers in Peru's upper Amazon.
• Bat Conservation InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting conservation initiatives in Mayunmarca, contributing to biodiversity research and conservation of high-Andean ecosystems.
• Peru Women BirdersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollective co-organizing Global Big Day events and supporting women-led participation in birdwatching and conservation.
• Oso Dorado Conservation AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-led organization in Corosha, Amazonas protecting forests for Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey habitat. With 30 members (26 women), exemplifies local stewardship and women's leadership in forest protection.
• Regional Government of JuníncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment partner co-organizing conservation initiatives, supporting protected area proposals, and providing institutional framework for conservation in Junín department.
• Provincial Municipality of SatipocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMunicipal partner supporting community-based conservation and sustainable tourism development in Satipo province.
• Regional Government of AyacuchocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment partner collaborating on Mayunmarca Subnational Conservation Area proposal and ecological restoration initiatives with Quechua Chanka communities.
• Ministry of the Environment of Peru (MINAM)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGovernment ministry providing support through EDUCCA program for environmental education initiatives and recognizing conservation contributions through CITES expert committee participation.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Primate Specialist GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFanny M. Cornejo serves as Vice President for Peru, contributing to global primate conservation policy and science.
• WildnetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonation platform accepting contributions for Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey conservation on behalf of Yunkawasi.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rainforest Trust: Rainforest Trust is a global conservation non-profit that creates and expands protected areas in biodiversity hotspots, including Peru. Yunkawasi is a direct implementing partner for Rainforest Trust-funded projects (e.g., San Cristóbal de Pucutá-Menkori), making them direct peers in community-led conservation-area establishment.
• Bat Conservation International: Bat Conservation International is a species-focused conservation NGO partnering with Yunkawasi on biodiversity research and conservation in Mayunmarca. Highly comparable as a single-species/landscape conservation NGO operating with academic and field implementation partners across Latin America.
• Andes Amazon Fund: Andes Amazon Fund is a regional conservation funder focused on protecting the Andes-Amazon corridor, including ecological restoration and protected-area work in Peru. As an active funding and strategic partner of Yunkawasi (Mayunmarca), it is a direct peer in Tropical Andes landscape conservation.
• Pronaturaleza: Pronaturaleza is a Peruvian conservation foundation focused on protected-area management, sustainable development, and community partnerships across Peru. Direct regional peer with similar mission, geographic focus, and grant-funded operating model.
• Profonanpe: Profonanpe is a Peruvian environmental fund that administers conservation financing and channels grants to biodiversity projects in Peru. Direct peer to Yunkawasi as both a funding mechanism and a domestic Peruvian conservation intermediary in protected-area establishment.

Broad incumbents

• WWF Peru: WWF Peru is the local office of a global conservation NGO operating in Amazon and Andean ecosystems, with comparable protected-area, community, and sustainable-livelihood programs. Broad incumbent and overlapping regional presence.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): WCS is a large global conservation NGO running field programs across Latin America, including primate and protected-area work that overlaps with Yunkawasi's portfolio. Functions as a broad incumbent in community-based and species-focused conservation rather than a direct niche competitor.
• Conservation International: Conservation International is a global conservation NGO with significant Andes-Amazon and primate conservation programs and policy influence. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities around protected areas, sustainable livelihoods, and indigenous partnerships.
• Fauna & Flora International (FFI): FFI is a global conservation NGO operating in biodiversity hotspots including the Tropical Andes, with comparable community-based conservation, threatened-species, and sustainable-livelihood programs. Broad incumbent with overlapping mission rather than direct competition.

Regional players

• Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA): SPDA is a leading Peruvian environmental law and policy NGO that influences protected-area policy, biodiversity governance, and conservation legislation. Directly comparable to Yunkawasi as a domestic Peruvian non-profit operating in the conservation-policy and protected-area establishment space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Yunkawasi
• Facebookfacebook.com/yunkawasi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yunkawasi
• Instagraminstagram.com/yunkawasi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Yunkawasi