How we work

Allies of the territory. Never above it.

Conservation only lasts when it belongs to the people who live the territory. Our job is to remove the friction — funding, science, networks, visibility — so community leadership can do what it already does best.

Have a first conversation See the full process

Divers tending an underwater coral nursery. — Taken in the Salango/ Ciriales reef in Ecuador's Machalilla National Park, where CONMAR stewards a marine ecosystem of high biodiversity value — divers tend a mid-water coral nursery, where fragments of climate-resilient coral are grown on suspended frames before being out-planted onto degraded reefs to rebuild fish habitat and shoreline protection.Inside Ecuador's Machalilla Natural Park, CONMAR runs a living coral nursery. Divers raise climate-resilient coral fragments on suspended frames before transplanting them onto damaged reefs — rebuilding fish habitat and shoreline protection, one piece at a time.Meet our partnering communities

How we work

Allies of the territory. Never above it.

Have a first conversation See the full collaboration process

HOW IT WORKS

Four stages. Shared responsibilities.

Community-sideFunder-sideBoth

The full arc of a partnership, in four stages. Relationship-building and coordination run through all of them — relationships begin before funding and continue beyond any single initiative.

01
Origination & Assessment
Building on existing relationships, and the responsible local partner co-develop the initiative from community-defined priorities and local context. This culminates in a structured, community-validated initiative and 's assessment of its specific funding readiness, mission fit, risks and safeguards — not a judgment of community maturity.
02
Approval & Funder Alignment
Before an initiative is presented to prospective funding partners, it must pass 's assessment and receive separate authorization from the responsible community or organisation. Only with both is it a -Approved Funding Opportunity. Approval is not a guarantee; sensitive information is shared only with permission. Funder selection follows. Funder alignment is mutual, and the responsible community or local organisation retains the final say on whether — and on what terms — the initiative proceeds.
03
Funding & Implementation
The funding commitment, appropriate funding route, 's separate fee, budget, roles, safeguards, timeline and reporting are made explicit before funds move. Direct or community-controlled funding is preferred where practical and lawful. Local partners lead implementation; coordinates the agreed collaboration between the responsible local partner, relevant specialists and the funding partner. Checks and safeguards reduce the risk of misuse while respecting community authority, confidentiality and legitimate information restrictions.
04
Accountability & Learning
Financial accountability, traceability, monitoring and reporting are agreed up front and applied in proportion to the initiative's size, context and risks. These measures respect community authority, confidentiality and legitimate information restrictions. Partners distinguish expected from observed results, adapt when needed, and consider continued relationships and future community-defined priorities.

Capital & accountability

How funding is handled.

Project Capital

Project Capital is reserved for the community-agreed purpose. Direct or community-controlled funding routes are preferred where practical, lawful and aligned; TAF does not automatically take custody of the funds.

TAF's Coordination & Accountability Fee is separate: typically 8–12% of committed Project Capital, agreed in advance and paid additionally by the funding partner. Depending on scope, it covers initiative structuring, coordination, proportionate due diligence, implementation accompaniment, monitoring and reporting.

Illustrative example: €10,000 of Project Capital plus an €800–€1,200 fee means a total funding-partner commitment of €10,800–€11,200, excluding applicable taxes and separately agreed costs.

Accountability & safeguards

Monitoring and reporting are agreed for each initiative, in proportion to its size, context and risks, drawing on locally suitable methods and community input.

Due diligence and safeguards are calibrated to the collaboration, respecting community authority and confidentiality. Where legally required or agreed for a particular initiative, external audits or independent evaluations can add assurance alongside TAF's regular monitoring and reporting.

Beyond financial integrity, our statutes commit us to supporting initiatives informed by ecological economics, intergenerational sustainability and stronger local capacities.Read the principles behind our Mission

Put this approach to work

Does this way of working fit what you fund?

If our method resonates, the next step is a short conversation — about your priorities, ours, and where they overlap.

Start a conversation Or email us directly

Allies of the territory. Never above it.

Allies of the territory. Never above it.

Four stages. Shared responsibilities.

Origination & Assessment

Approval & Funder Alignment

Funding & Implementation

Accountability & Learning

How funding is handled.

Project Capital

Accountability & safeguards

Does this way of working fit what you fund?