Nature and biodiversity protection
With a view to strengthening biodiversity and ecosystem preservation in Portugal, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation provides core funding to environmental NGOs and equivalent organisations.
Unlike project-based funding, this approach is designed to strengthen the long-term capacity of these organisations, increase the impact of their conservation work, and enable them to operate more sustainably, flexibly and continuously.
Meet the eight environmental organisations receiving support between 2025 and 2026:
TAGIS – Butterfly Conservation Center of Portugal
TAGIS – Butterfly Conservation Center of Portugal was established in 2004, at the National Museum of Natural History and Science, in Lisbon, with the aim of contributing to the conservation of species and habitats of this part of the country's biodiversity.
The association focuses on a unique group of biodiversity within the national landscape, developing inventory, monitoring, and environmental impact studies, as well as activities that contribute to increasing scientific knowledge about butterflies and their habitats in Portugal.
Tagis brings together experts not only in the diversity of butterflies, but also in other groups of insects, such as dragonflies, grasshoppers, flies and bees.
Associação Vita Nativa – Conservação do Ambiente
Founded in 2018 in the Algarve, Vita Nativa was created to address biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and low public awareness of environmental issues in the region. It works to protect Portugal’s natural heritage, with a strong presence in the Ria Formosa, the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, and more recently, the Ave River estuary in Vila do Conde. Its activities include species and habitat monitoring, removal of invasive species, habitat creation and restoration, promotion of nature-based solutions, and fostering active environmental citizenship.
ALMARGEM – Associação de Defesa do Património Cultural e Ambiental do Algarve
Founded in 1988 in Loulé, ALMARGEM grew out of early grassroots environmental groups at the local secondary school and cultural centre. At a time when environmental advocacy was virtually absent in the Algarve, the organisation emerged as a voice for nature and cultural heritage in a region dominated by economic and urban development. It works to study, promote and protect the Algarve’s natural and cultural assets and to foster the region’s sustainable development.
Associação Rewilding Iberia PT
Founded in 2019 in Guarda, Rewilding Portugal promotes nature conservation through rewilding: restoring ecosystems by allowing natural processes to shape the land. The organisation envisions a wilder Portugal with healthy ecosystems and thriving wildlife, where natural processes and complete food chains help regenerate landscapes. Its work is centred in Ribacôa and Beira Alta, regions where rural abandonment has created opportunities for nature recovery. It invests in the restoration of habitats, iconic species and ecological corridors that enable wildlife movement and ecosystem resilience.
Liga para a Protecção da Natureza
The Liga para a Protecção da Natureza (LPN) is the oldest environmental organisation in the Iberian Peninsula. Established in 1948, it became an independent voice for nature at a time when environmental concerns were absent from the political agenda. It played a key role in the creation of Portugal’s first protected area, Peneda-Gerês National Park (1971), and has since contributed to the designation of several other protected areas, while also raising public awareness about the importance of nature conservation. Operating nationwide, LPN focuses on preventing habitat degradation and biodiversity loss through projects on endangered species, water, forests, agriculture and marine ecosystems. It also works to raise awareness of environmental threats and help shape effective conservation strategies.
Faia Brava – Associação de Conservação da Natureza
Based in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Faia Brava was founded in 2000 in response to strong environmental pressures in the Ribacôa region (predator poisoning, arson, and the planned Côa dam). Its mission is to create more space for nature by acquiring land in the Águeda, Côa and Douro river valleys. The organisation focuses on biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration and established Portugal’s first Private Protected Area (PPA) in 2010, which it continues to own and manage.
MONTIS – Associação para a Gestão e Conservação da Natureza
Established in 2014 in Vouzela, MONTIS manages land with high conservation value, aiming to protect nature and promote rural development. Its strategy focuses on acquiring land for conservation and fostering public awareness of nature-related issues. Initially active in the Vouga and Paiva mountain ranges (Freita, Arada, Caramulo), its projects focus on endangered wolf populations, mountain rivers, abandoned farmland, and high-value landscapes. It also helped create the local nature park Parque Natural Local Vouga-Caramulo.
MILVOZ – Association for Nature Protection and Conservation
Founded in Coimbra in 2019, MILVOZ aims to empower communities to protect native ecosystems. Its core mission is to establish a network of Bio-Reserves to protect small, high-conservation-value areas that lack adequate legal safeguards.
MILVOZ works to regenerate degraded habitats, especially native forests and riparian corridors, and to conserve endangered species. These Bio-Reserves serve as biodiversity refuges and living laboratories, where ecological research, continuous species monitoring, and restoration efforts take place in partnership with academia.