What Istituto Oikos does

Istituto Oikos Ente del Terzo Settore is an Italian non-profit environmental organization founded in 1994 by wildlife conservation expert Guido Tosi (who passed away in 2011). Headquartered in Milan, Italy, with field offices in Same and Arusha, Tanzania, the organization delivers programs across Italy, Tanzania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Thailand, Lebanon, and Tunisia focused on four intervention areas: Water, Biodiversity, Climate and Energy, and People Empowerment. Its portfolio of named projects includes the RAISE water-resources and biodiversity program funded by the Italian Ministry of the Interior (CUP F41D24000140008), the RIDUCITI cross-border circular-economy strategy (Interreg), Orobie in Ascolto acoustic biodiversity monitoring in the Orobie Alps, Ricostruire sicurezza e dignità emergency-shelter rehabilitation in Mozambique, StrategyMedFor with CIHEAM-MAICh, and educational initiatives Power Up! and Green it Up! (deployed across 9 Italian regions).

Methodologically, Istituto Oikos applies scientific research and field-based conservation techniques, partnering with universities, research institutes, and the Medforval network of Mediterranean forest managers. Documented programmatic outcomes (2024 data) include 140,000 people gaining potable water access in Tanzania, 9 community mangrove forests protected in Thailand, 52,000+ mangroves planted in Mozambique and Myanmar, 1,150 emergency shelters built in Mozambique, 2,250 food packages delivered to vulnerable Lebanese families, 600 women supported with financial literacy in Tanzania, and 1,099 teachers trained in Italy. The organization does not sell products or services.

The revenue model is multi-stream and donation-based: individual donations via the website (one-time and recurring), the Italian 5x1000 tax designation (Codice Fiscale 97182800157), corporate CSR partnerships, and institutional project grants from government and international bodies. As a non-profit (Ente del Terzo Settore), it is not subject to standard corporate disclosure and does not publicly disclose revenue. The go-to-market combines digital channels (website, newsletter 'Germogli', social media on Facebook/LinkedIn/YouTube/Instagram, podcast 'Vicini e Lontani' co-produced with Il Post) with in-person engagement through school programs, public workshops, and field operations. The organization experienced a serious operational disruption in April 2026 when three Tanzania-based staff members (Fridolin, Haika, Tumaini) died and two were injured in a vehicle incident in Same, prompting a temporary suspension of field activities.

Name

Istituto Oikos

Legal name

Istituto Oikos Ente del Terzo Settore

Website

https://istituto-oikos.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Istituto Oikos is an Italian non-profit (Ente del Terzo Settore), founded 1994 and headquartered in Milan, delivering environmental conservation, water access, biodiversity, climate, and people-empowerment programs across Italy, Tanzania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Thailand, Lebanon, and Tunisia. It is funded by individual donations, the 5x1000 tax designation, corporate CSR, and institutional grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (BPAGABAK), Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH), Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC), Pollution Prevention, Chemicals & Waste (incl. Plastics) (BPADALAJ), WASH & Public Health (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) (BPADAIAG)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation services
• Biodiversity protection programs
• Water resource management
• Climate action initiatives
• Community development projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals through the organization's website, including one-time and recurring giving options. The 5x1000 Italian tax designation (CF 97182800157) allows donors to direct a portion of their income tax to the organization at no additional cost.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with companies (Aziende) who support environmental projects as part of their corporate social responsibility programs.
3. Institutional Project Funding: Funding from government agencies and international organizations for specific conservation and development projects, such as the RAISE project funded by the Italian Ministry of Interior.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Istituto Oikos is an Italian non-profit organization (Ente del Terzo Settore) that delivers environmental conservation and community development programs across four intervention sectors: Water (sustainable water use), Biodiversity (protecting species and ecosystems), Climate and Energy (adaptation and mitigation), and People Empowerment (inclusive environmental economics). Its work is carried out through field-based conservation, educational programs, humanitarian projects, and grant-funded initiatives delivered via offices in Italy (Milan) and East Africa (Tanzania), with activities spanning 6+ countries.

Product overview

Istituto Oikos is a non-profit environmental organization (Ente del Terzo Settore) operating as a project-based initiative rather than a commercial product company. The organization focuses on environmental conservation across four main sectors: Water (sustainable water use and protection), Biodiversity (protecting species and ecosystems at risk), Climate and Energy (adaptation and mitigation strategies), and People Empowerment (supporting inclusive environmental economics). Their work is delivered through various environmental, educational, and humanitarian projects rather than commercial products or services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Green it Up!

Quantifiable outcome

• 140,000 people with access to potable water in Tanzania
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CIHEAM-MAIChcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2024International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania. Co-presented the StrategyMedFor project at the Medforval Annual Meeting in Fontecchio, Italy.
• MedforvalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2024Network of Mediterranean forest managers. StrategyMedFor project presented at Annual Meeting with 25 representatives from 9 Mediterranean countries.
• PRIMA Nexus RES-MABcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2024International coalition launching the PRIMA Nexus RES-MAB project focused on sustainable resource management and Mediterranean biosphere reserves.
• Oikos East AfricacoreOthersField office and operational branch in Tanzania coordinating conservation and community development projects in East Africa. Located in Same and Arusha. Staff tragically affected by April 2026 incident.
• Italian Schools and UniversitiescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducational partnerships with Italian schools for environmental education programs. 1,099 teachers trained. Programs include Green it Up! in 9 Italian regions.
• Il PostminorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian news outlet co-producing the 'Vicini e Lontani' podcast on environmental topics including invasive species and wildlife.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Legambiente: Major Italian environmental NGO with a similar mix of on-the-ground conservation, school-based environmental education, and donor mobilization (including 5x1000). Directly comparable target audience and funding model in the Italian nonprofit environmental space.
• Fondazione AVSI: Italian non-profit foundation executing international development and environmental projects in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East with institutional grant funding. Highly comparable operating model, geographic footprint, and Italian-anchored donor base.
• ACRA: Milan-based Italian NGO working on water access, food security, and environmental sustainability across Africa and Latin America. Comparable operating model, geographic focus on East Africa, and Italian donor base.
• CESVI: Italian NGO headquartered in Bergamo executing humanitarian, environmental, and community development projects internationally with a similar mix of individual donations, 5x1000, and institutional grants. Closely mirrors Istituto Oikos' structure and beneficiary profile.
• ActionAid Italia: Italian branch of an international development NGO running programs in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East with environmental, women's empowerment, and food security components. Comparable donor mobilization model including 5x1000 and recurring giving.
• Medici con l'Africa CUAMM: Italian NGO focused on health and community development in sub-Saharan Africa with a long-standing Tanzania presence. Comparable field-office operating model, Italian donor base, and institutional project funding from the Italian government and EU.
• Mani Tese: Italian NGO combining environmental sustainability with international development and community empowerment in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Similar thematic overlap (water, food sovereignty, climate) and Italian-anchored donor mobilization.
• WeWorld - GVC: Italian NGO (formerly GVC) executing development and humanitarian programs in multiple countries with strong presence in Mozambique and the Mediterranean region. Comparable geographic footprint and donor mix including 5x1000.

Broad incumbents

• Greenpeace Italia: Italian branch of an international environmental advocacy NGO. Overlaps with Istituto Oikos on environmental themes, Italian individual donor base, and 5x1000 fundraising, though its primary mode is advocacy/campaigns rather than field conservation delivery.
• WWF Italia: Italian branch of the largest global environmental NGO. Directly comparable as an Italy-based nonprofit running international conservation, biodiversity, and climate programs with corporate and individual donor funding, though at significantly larger scale and brand recognition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@istitutooikos
• Facebookfacebook.com/IstitutoOikos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/istituto-oikos
• Instagraminstagram.com/istituto_oikos
• Xx.com/IstitutoOikos

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Istituto Oikos