What European Climate Foundation does

The European Climate Foundation (ECF), legally Stichting European Climate Foundation, is a non-profit grant-making foundation established in 2008 and headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, with additional offices in Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, London, Madrid, Paris, and Warsaw. It is described as Europe's largest climate grant-making foundation, deploying philanthropic capital to over 700 grantee partner organisations across 60+ countries through more than 1,100 cumulative grants, with strategies co-designed through 10+ European national and regional teams.

ECF's core offering is strategic grantmaking and ecosystem convening rather than technology products. Its "products" consist of co-designed grants to civil society organisations, capacity-building programmes such as PowerUp Academy and Green Mob Bootcamp, analytical tools including the Aviation Decarbonisation Model developed with Fathom Consulting, and a portfolio of hosted platforms and initiatives: ReNew2030 (global renewable energy coalition, launched April 2023), the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO, June 2023), the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative (SCRI, February 2026), the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force (April 2024), the 2050 Pathways Platform, the International Climate Politics Hub (ICPH), and the EU-US High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change. ECF operates as a non-revenue-generating entity, holding US 501(c)(3) equivalency and registration as a Dutch Stichting, funded entirely by philanthropic foundations and donors.

ECF's go-to-market is relationship-based and inbound-restricted: it does not accept unsolicited grant proposals and instead works with vetted partners to identify funding opportunities across eight interconnected priority areas (industrial transformation, shifting the financial system, fossil-free energy, clean transport, just transitions, citizen engagement and cultural change, international diplomacy, and land/food/nature). Customer segments are diversified across civil society (primary), EU and national policymakers (primary), business and industry actors (secondary), and philanthropic funders (primary). Distribution occurs through strategic partnerships, hosted platforms, and convening events such as the European Energy Communities Forum, COP-side events, and Electrification Days 2026.

Name

European Climate Foundation

Legal name

Stichting European Climate Foundation

Website

https://europeanclimate.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

European Climate Foundation is Europe's largest climate grant-making foundation, deploying philanthropic capital to 700+ partner organisations across 60+ countries through strategic grantmaking, hosted platforms (ReNew2030, ECNO, SCRI), and policy advocacy to advance Paris Agreement goals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Philanthropy and Grantmaking Services

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Renewable Energy & Energy Transition Funds (FSANAJAB), Carbon Markets & Climate Finance (Offsets, Allowances, Carbon Funds) (FSAAALAH)

Keywords

• Climate grantmaking
• Climate philanthropy services
• Environmental grant deployment
• Climate policy advocacy
• Net zero capacity building

Headquarters

HQ city

The Hague

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic grant funding: ECF receives philanthropic funding from a range of foundations and donors. It deploys these funds through grantmaking and capacity building for partner organisations working on climate action across Europe and beyond. The organisation holds Equivalency Determination as a US 501(c)(3) public charity and is registered as a non-profit Stichting in the Netherlands.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ECF is a strategic grant-making foundation that deploys philanthropic funds to 700+ partner organisations working on climate action across Europe and beyond. Its work is structured around eight interconnected 'big bets' — Europe's industrial transformation, shifting the financial system, fossil-free energy, clean transport, just transitions, citizen engagement, international diplomacy, and land/food/nature — and it hosts climate platforms such as ReNew2030, ECNO, SCRI, 2050 Pathways Platform, ICPH, and the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force, alongside capacity-building programmes like PowerUp Academy and the Green Mob Bootcamp.

Product overview

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is Europe's largest grant-making foundation for climate action, not a traditional product-based technology company. ECF operates as a strategic grantmaker and network enabler supporting climate action across Europe and beyond. The foundation's 'products' consist of grant-making services and approximately eight interconnected priority areas (big bets) including Europe's industrial transformation, shifting the financial system, fossil-free energy, clean transport solutions, European and national just transitions, citizen engagement and cultural change, international diplomacy, and land/food/nature. ECF also hosts and co-convenes various initiatives and platforms including ReNew2030 (renewable energy coalition), the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO), Strategic Climate Risks Initiative (SCRI), Global Solidarity Levies Task Force, 2050 Pathways Platform, International Climate Politics Hub (ICPH), and the EU-US High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change. Capacity-building programmes such as PowerUp Academy and Green Mob Bootcamp provide training to communications and policy professionals in the climate network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strategic Grantmaking Services ECF's core grant-making foundation service, deploying philanthropic funds to support and strengthen 700+ partner organisations driving progress towards Paris Agreement goals, promoting practical policymaking, and broadening political and public support for net zero across Europe and beyond.
• ReNew2030 A coalition of experts, civil society and philanthropic organisations working to accelerate the global transition to wind and solar power, with the goal of scaling global wind and solar capacity 5x by 2030 to keep the world on track for 1.5°C of warming. The coalition includes The African Climate Foundation, Energy Foundation China, U.S. Energy Foundation, Iniciativa Climática de México, Instituto Clima e Sociedade, The Sunrise Project, and Tara Climate Foundation, and is funded through The Audacious Project.
• European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) An independent net zero watchdog and consortium of leading European research organisations (Ecologic Institute, Climact, Reform Institute, I4CE, and NewClimate Institute) that tracks the EU's measurable progress towards climate neutrality across society, holding EU institutions to account for delivery of the European Green Deal.
• Strategic Climate Risks Initiative (SCRI) A UK-based think-and-do tank that helps governments, institutions, and communities understand and respond to intensifying, non-linear climate risks. It examines the escalation of complex climate risks and develops practical strategies for navigating escalating impacts.
• 2050 Pathways Platform A multi-country platform that promotes best practice and ambition within long-term low emission development strategies (LT LEDS), supporting emerging markets and developing countries as they develop long-term, net-zero emissions, climate-resilient pathways. ECF hosts the platform secretariat.
• International Climate Politics Hub (ICPH) A global network of organisations that facilitates greater climate ambition within the UN climate process, supporting partners coordinating around international climate negotiations and key moments such as G7, G20, and UN biodiversity summits, offering strategic briefings and intelligence.
• PowerUp Academy A year-long training and mentorship programme for communications professionals in the energy sector, offering workshops across Europe to enhance partners' ability to share stories of citizens driving the energy transition.
• Green Mob Bootcamp An annual in-person training programme focused on transforming how professionals communicate about transport decarbonisation, equipping professionals with the communication skills needed to accelerate the shift to greener mobility.
• EU-US High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change ECF-co-convened dialogues bringing together key decision makers and thought leaders from Europe and the United States to tackle big issues on the path to net zero, including the Green Deal, the Inflation Reduction Act, reforming multilateral development banks, transition minerals, and transatlantic industrial policy.
• Aviation Decarbonisation Model An interactive analytical tool developed with Fathom Consulting that analyses the costs and benefits of different pathways for decarbonising the aviation industry, demonstrating the long-term economic potential of clean aviation for Europe's competitiveness.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ partner organisations supported to drive progress towards Paris Agreement goals
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• IE UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026ECF and IE University signed a partnership to support the development of future leaders in climate policy and governance. ECF is a key partner for IE University's new Master in Public Policy (launching September 2026), strengthening the Environment, Energy and Sustainability specialisation. Joint initiatives include capstone projects, competitions, case studies, summer research programmes, guest lectures, and co-organised events. The partnership creates internship pathways into climate policy careers.
• Strategic Climate Risks Initiative (SCRI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026SCRI has joined ECF as a hosted platform. It is a UK-based think-and-do tank working at the forefront of the 'new climate reality', helping governments, institutions, and communities understand and respond to intensifying, non-linear climate risks. Key projects include the Overshoot podcast documentary, Managing Derailment Risk report and toolkit, Cohort 2040 leadership development programme, and AMOC scenario exercises.
• Global Solidarity Levies Task ForceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2024The Global Solidarity Levies Task Force is led and co-chaired by Kenya, Barbados and France, with support from ECF. It brings governments together to advance options for international climate levies on shipping, aviation, fossil fuels, financial transactions, cryptocurrency, and plastics production. ECF CEO Laurence Tubiana serves as co-lead of the task force's secretariat. The task force aims to close the annual climate finance funding gap for developing and vulnerable countries, estimated at $2.4 trillion by 2030.
• European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2023ECNO is an independent net zero watchdog incubated by ECF to help ensure the EU delivers on climate neutrality. It is a consortium of leading European research organisations: Ecologic Institute (Germany), Climact (Belgium), Reform Institute (Poland), Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE) (France), and NewClimate Institute (Germany). ECNO tracks EU progress across over 100 economic and social indicators against climate neutrality benchmarks.
• ReNew2030 (The Audacious Project)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2023ReNew2030 is a coalition of experts, civil society and philanthropic organisations funded through The Audacious Project to accelerate global wind and solar power over five years. ECF hosts ReNew2030 as a collaboration with peer foundations including The African Climate Foundation, Energy Foundation China, U.S. Energy Foundation, Iniciativa Climática de México, Instituto Clima e Sociedade, The Sunrise Project, and Tara Climate Foundation. The goal is to scale global wind and solar capacity 5x by 2030 to keep the world on track for 1.5°C of warming.
• 2050 Pathways PlatformcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 2050 Pathways Platform (2050PP) is a multi-country platform that promotes best practice and ambition within long-term low emission development strategies (LT LEDS). It brings together countries, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, think tanks, and climate experts. ECF hosts the platform secretariat and supports emerging markets and developing countries in developing long-term decarbonisation strategies.
• International Climate Politics Hub (ICPH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICPH is a global network of organisations facilitating greater climate ambition in the context of the UN climate process. It supports partners coordinating around international climate negotiations and key moments such as G7, G20, and UN biodiversity summits, offering strategic briefings and intelligence. ICPH works with partner organisations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, and Europe. ICPH is part of ECF's international programme.
• REScoop.eu (European Energy Communities Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECF supports the European Energy Communities Forum organised by REScoop.eu, a network of energy cooperatives and community energy organisations across Europe. The forum brings together practitioners, policymakers, researchers and advocates to share knowledge, strengthen networks, and push for better conditions for community energy. ECF convenes its own community energy partners at annual Partners Days.
• EU-US High-Level Dialogue on Climate ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerECF co-convenes an EU-US High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change, bringing together key decision makers and thought leaders from Europe and the United States. Dialogues started in 2020 and follow the Chatham House rule, addressing the Green Deal, the Inflation Reduction Act, reforming multilateral development banks, transition minerals, and transatlantic industrial policy. New climate dialogues are being prepared with Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ClimateWorks Foundation: ClimateWorks Foundation is one of the largest international climate philanthropies, funding a global network of grantees to accelerate climate solutions. It is the closest direct peer to ECF in scale, mission, and grantmaking model, with comparable service areas spanning energy, transport, industry, and finance.
• Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF): CIFF is a major global climate and child welfare foundation, with its CEO Kate Hampton serving as Chair of ECF's Supervisory Board. It is a direct peer in climate grantmaking, with significant overlap in energy transition, industrial transformation, and just transition funding.
• Bezos Earth Fund: The Bezos Earth Fund is a $10 billion climate philanthropy focused on nature, decarbonisation, and climate justice. It is a direct peer in scale and ambition, deploying multi-billion-dollar grants across overlapping climate priorities with ECF.
• Bloomberg Philanthropies: Bloomberg Philanthropies runs a substantial climate programme including the Beyond Carbon initiative and major support for the UNFCCC. It is a direct peer as a large, multi-thematic climate funder with comparable convening power and global reach.
• Hewlett Foundation (Climate): The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation runs a major Climate and Energy programme that funds clean energy, buildings, and transportation decarbonisation. It is a direct peer in dedicated climate grantmaking with overlapping grantee ecosystems.
• The Sunrise Project: The Sunrise Project is a climate-focussed philanthropic organisation that funds movement-building and advocacy campaigns, and is a co-funder of the ReNew2030 coalition hosted by ECF. It is a direct peer in strategic climate grantmaking targeting policy and corporate accountability.
• Tara Climate Foundation: Tara Climate Foundation is a peer climate funder and co-funder of ReNew2030, focused on accelerating clean energy transitions. It is a direct peer in scale, mission, and operational model, with similar European and international grantmaking scope.
• Sequoia Climate Fund: Sequoia Climate Fund is a US-based climate philanthropy funding bold action on climate change across mitigation, policy, and movement-building. It is a direct peer in strategic, high-impact climate grantmaking with overlapping grantee networks in Europe and internationally.
• African Climate Foundation: The African Climate Foundation is a regional climate grantmaker for the African continent and a co-funder of the ReNew2030 coalition hosted by ECF. It is a direct peer as a strategically-aligned regional climate foundation, complementary rather than competitive to ECF's European focus.
• Energy Foundation China: Energy Foundation China is a major climate philanthropy supporting China's energy transition and air quality, and is also a co-funder of the ReNew2030 coalition. It is a direct peer in dedicated climate grantmaking for energy systems transformation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-climate-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about European Climate Foundation