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Who we are

The Protimos Foundation is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, governed by a Board of Directors. Protimos was founded by Fiona Darroch, a London-based barrister specialising in Environmental Law.

Protimos provides access to justice to indigenous and marginalised communities to protect them from the unjust exploitation of their natural and cultural heritage.

Why is Protimos necessary?

Governments in developing countries often enact laws to create legal protection for individuals and communities against unjust exploitation and other adverse consequences of development, as they are obliged to under international law.

But legal protection is useless without proper access to it. Proper access includes an understanding of a legal right, and the opportunity to assert it, if necessary in a court of law.

Protimos exists to make the link between

• the specific needs of communities, and;
• the assertion of their legitimate rights.

Looking ahead

Huge amounts of money are spent on programmes that perpetuate the developing world’s dependence on aid. For a tiny fraction of that aid, Protimos assists communities in becoming articulate and effective participants in the development of their sustainable future.

Protimos works to build the legal capacity of indigenous and marginalised communities, thus strengthening and enabling them to advocate effectively for themselves in their dealings with government and business. They become increasingly self-sufficient, ending the descent into poverty and marginalisation.