What Switchmed does

SwitchMed is a European Union-funded regional development initiative launched in 2013 to accelerate the transition to a circular economy across the Southern Mediterranean. Operated as a multilateral programme — not a commercial enterprise — it is implemented by three United Nations agencies: UNIDO (industry/resource efficiency), UNEP Economy Division (policy/SCP national action plans), and MedWaves, the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (entrepreneurship and networking). SwitchMed serves governments, industries and SMEs, green entrepreneurs, and business support organizations across 8 beneficiary countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia), with the European Commission DG NEAR providing strategic oversight and co-financing from Italian Development Cooperation and Generalitat de Catalunya.

The initiative's core technology rests on UNIDO's TEST (Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technology) methodology and Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices, codified into a suite of digital tools hosted on TheSwitchers.org ecosystem. This ecosystem includes the Switchers Toolbox (free circular business development methodologies), the Switchers Products marketplace, the Switchers Fund (direct grants to green entrepreneurs), the Switchers Open Eco-Innovation matchmaking platform, and the Switchers Policy Hub. Country hubs coordinate implementation through local lead partners, while biennial SwitchMed Connect events and the WeMed Awards facilitate regional networking.

SwitchMed operates on a grant-funded model: it provides all services — technical assistance, training, tools, and funding — free of charge to beneficiaries. It generates no commercial revenue. Phase I (2013-2018) delivered 125 industry demonstration projects, 8 SCP National Action Plans, 1,500+ trained stakeholders, and 197,525 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided. Phase II (2019-present) has expanded into Blue Economy sectors and textile circularity partnerships with brands including DIESEL, Nudie Jeans, and PVH Group, while building an ecosystem of 6,800+ registered entrepreneurs and 200+ business support organizations.

Name

Switchmed

Legal name

SwitchMed

Website

https://switchmed.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SwitchMed is an EU-funded multilateral programme implemented by UNIDO, UNEP, and MedWaves to accelerate the circular economy across 8 Southern Mediterranean countries, providing free technical assistance, policy frameworks, industry resource-efficiency projects, and green entrepreneurship support to governments, SMEs, and eco-innovators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circular Economy Development Programme

NAICS

All Other Support Services (561990)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Change Management & Transformation Consulting (BPAHAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Change Management for Operations Transformations (EDABAKAM)

Keywords

• Circular economy programme
• Resource efficient production
• Green entrepreneurship support
• Sustainable consumption policy
• Eco-innovation incubation

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EU Development Funding: SwitchMed is a grant-funded development program financed by the European Union. The program provides free technical assistance, training, and support to beneficiary countries and organizations. No revenue is generated from program activities.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SwitchMed is a European Union-funded regional development programme that promotes the circular economy in eight Southern Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia). It delivers policy support (Sustainable Consumption and Production National Action Plans), industry resource-efficiency demonstrations using the UNIDO TEST methodology, green entrepreneurship incubation, and networking events. All services, tools, and platforms are provided free of charge to beneficiary countries and organizations.

Product overview

SwitchMed is a comprehensive circular economy initiative that operates as a multi-platform ecosystem rather than a single product. The core consists of TheSwitchers.org platform providing sustainable business development tools and methodologies, supported by The Switchers Toolbox for free access to circular business resources. Additional platforms include The Switchers Products for market visibility, The Switchers Fund for direct funding, The Switchers Community for networking, The Switchers Open Eco-Innovation for matching companies with green solutions providers, and The Switchers Policy Hub for policymakers. The Switchers Support National Partnerships coordinate national-level support, while SwitchMed Connect facilitates annual regional gatherings, and the WeMed Awards recognize sustainable businesses. The Journey SwitchMed platform documents the initiative's decade of achievements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Switchers Community: Community of green and circular entrepreneurs, businesses, mentors, and policymakers united to drive sustainability innovation
• The Switchers Toolbox
• The Switchers Products
• The Switchers Fund
• The Switchers Open Eco-Innovation
• The Switchers Policy Hub
• WeMed Awards

Products and services

• TheSwitchers.org Platform Digital platform enabling interactions among key players of the sustainable business ecosystem in the Mediterranean, offering methodologies and tools developed by SwitchMed for sustainable business growth. For green entrepreneurs, SMEs, and policymakers.
• The Switchers Toolbox

Quantifiable outcome

• 197,525 tonnes CO2 emissions avoided through Phase I
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, supporting and core.

• DIESELmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024International fashion brand collaborating with UNIDO on Closed Loop Textile-to-Textile business model, transforming deadstock denim into new jeans with recycled content.
• Nudie JeansmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Swedish sustainable denim brand partnering with UNIDO to demonstrate circular fashion practices in Tunisia, recycling second-quality jeans.
• PVH Group (Calvin Klein)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Major apparel company collaborating on textile waste valorization projects, showcasing circular business models in Mediterranean garment sector.
• Casa Moda Academy (Casablanca)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Fashion academy in Morocco collaborating on circular design techniques, creating capsule collection showcased at Milan Fashion Week 2024.
• ECOncretesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Blue Economy entrepreneur featured in 'Greening the Blue Economy' UfM publication, showcasing sustainable marine solutions.
• AGIR (Blue Economy)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Blue Economy stakeholder featured in UfM publication, representing sustainable business practices in Mediterranean maritime sectors.
• TNAGEMsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Blue Economy entrepreneur featured in 'Greening the Blue Economy' UfM publication promoting sustainable marine entrepreneurship.
• Blue Growth CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaborating initiative on Blue Economy, hosting joint events such as the 'Fostering Circular Blue Economy in the Mediterranean' international forum with approximately 120 participants.
• BLUEfasma ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in Blue Economy activities, collaborating with SwitchMed on circular blue economy practices and stakeholder engagement in the Mediterranean.
• ZDHC FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with UNIDO to restrict hazardous chemicals and improve chemical management in Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia textile sector. 50 companies trained, 19 achieved ZDHC foundational accreditation.
• Centre des Très Petites Entreprises Solidaires (CTPES)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Lead partner for Morocco's Switchers Support National Partnership, coordinating green entrepreneurship program delivery including training and incubation of sustainable businesses.
• Business Development Center (BDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Lead partner for Jordan's Switchers Support National Partnership, implementing green entrepreneurship programs and coordinating with Syrian refugee communities and German Jordanian University.
• Centre National des Technologies de Production plus Propre (CNTPP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Lead partner for Algeria's Switchers Support National Partnership, coordinating green entrepreneurship program delivery in Algeria.
• Fondation Diane (Lebanon)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Local implementing partner in Lebanon for green entrepreneurship support, strengthening business support organizations targeting eco-entrepreneurs and start-ups.
• EU Neighbours SouthsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Regional communication programme partnering on #EyesOn competitions celebrating World Environment Day and promoting green innovation across Southern Mediterranean.
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Lead implementing partner responsible for the Industry component of SwitchMed. UNIDO developed and deploys the TEST methodology for resource-efficient and cleaner production, trains local service providers, and implements demonstration projects in manufacturing sectors across the 8 beneficiary countries.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Economy DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Implementing partner responsible for policy support and national SCP action plans. UNEP provides advisory services and technical support to project countries in developing SCP-NAPs and demonstration projects, particularly in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine.
• MedWaves (UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for SCP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Implementing partner (formerly SCP/RAC) responsible for the Green Entrepreneurship and Networking Facility components. MedWaves leads the Switchers Support National Partnerships, develops business development tools, and coordinates regional networking activities including SwitchMed Connect.
• European Commission DG NEARcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations provides strategic coordination for SwitchMed, ensuring alignment with EU external action priorities and Mediterranean policy frameworks.
• Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013SwitchMed contributes to UfM Working Group on Blue Economy and UfM Working Group on Environment and Climate Change, supporting the UfM Ministerial Declaration on Environment and Climate Change.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Circle Economy: Amsterdam-based impact organisation producing the annual Circularity Gap Report and operating regional circular economy hubs with industry advisory services. Comparable as a circular-economy advisory and metrics organisation serving industries, governments, and regions.

Direct peers

• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization): Lead implementing partner on SwitchMed's Industry component, deploying the TEST/RECP methodology and service-provider training programmes across the 8 beneficiary countries. Comparable as a UN agency that delivers industry resource-efficiency advisory services to Southern Mediterranean manufacturers.
• MedWaves (UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for SCP): Joint implementing partner on SwitchMed; UNEP/MAP regional activity centre that leads the Green Entrepreneurship and Networking Facility components of SwitchMed from Barcelona. Comparable as a Mediterranean-focused multilateral SCP programme delivery platform for industries and entrepreneurs.

Broad incumbents

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Global thought leader driving the circular economy agenda through partnerships with businesses, governments, and academia. Comparable as a circular economy advisory and convening organisation that sets frameworks adopted by industries and policymakers worldwide.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): German federal development agency running comparable circular economy and private-sector development programmes in MENA, North Africa, and globally. Comparable as a large publicly-funded development agency delivering circular economy and SME transformation advisory services in emerging markets.
• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme): Core implementing partner on SwitchMed's policy component, providing advisory services for SCP National Action Plans in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. Comparable as the UN system agency for circular economy and SCP policy support to national governments.
• Agence Française de Développement (AFD): French bilateral development bank funding green economy and circular economy projects across the Mediterranean and Africa. Comparable as a European development finance institution delivering grant and concessional funding for circular-economy transitions in Southern Mediterranean partner countries.

Regional players

• EU Neighbours South Programme: EU-funded regional communication programme covering the same Southern Mediterranean neighbourhood, with which SwitchMed jointly runs the #EyesOn competitions and World Environment Day activations. Comparable as an EU-funded communications and outreach programme targeting the same beneficiary countries with awareness campaigns for sustainable development.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SwitchMed
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzsiTQGcwZMM2ZvO8UKaihg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/switchmed.eu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/switchmed
• Instagraminstagram.com/switchmed.programme/?hl=fr

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 Switchmed