MEDfOR

What MEDfOR does

MEDfOR is a two-year Erasmus Mundus International Master's programme focused on sustainability in Mediterranean forests and woodlands, delivered as a consortium of seven universities coordinated by the University of Lisbon in Portugal. The consortium comprises University of Lisbon, University of Padova (Italy), University of Lleida (Spain), University of Valladolid (Spain), Karadeniz Technical University (Turkey), University of Tuscia (Italy), and Catholic University of Portugal. Students study at two or three of these institutions during the program, with mandatory first-year placement at Lleida, Padova, or Lisbon, and second-year specialization at any consortium university offering tracks such as Integrated Fire Management, Adaptive Forestry Strategies, Innovating the Mediterranean Forest Value Chain, Social and Environmental Responsibility, and Advanced Tools for Sustainable Management. The technology layer consists of synchronized online courses (including "Introduction to Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources" and an e-learning research methodology module), a three-week Winter School at the University of Valladolid in Palencia, and a Summer Event at the University of Tuscia in Pieve Tesino. The programme has run continuously since 2012, currently operating its 13th edition (2024/2026), and has produced 13 successive cohorts of alumni placed in academia, international organizations, and government forestry roles.

MEDfOR's business model is non-commercial: it operates under the European Commission's Erasmus Mundus framework, which provides scholarship funding for top-ranked candidates, including dedicated scholarship streams for Western Balkans, Eni East, and ENI South regions. The program is described in the source material as "not a revenue-generating company," and tuition amounts are not publicly disclosed on the website. Recruitment is community-led, conducted centrally through the MEDfOR website and amplified through consortium university networks, Erasmus Mundus channels, and social media. The primary customer segment is international students holding bachelor's degrees in biological, environmental, or related sciences who seek an interdisciplinary European master's credential with cross-country mobility, preparing them for PhD programs or professional careers in forestry organizations (public, private, national, or international). Notable alumni outcomes include appointments at the University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, INRAe, FAO Bangladesh, the Turkish Ministry of Environment, and the North Macedonian Ministry of Agriculture, indicating consistent placement in research and policy roles globally.

Name

MEDfOR

Legal name

University of Lisbon

Website

https://medfor.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MEDfOR is a two-year Erasmus Mundus international Master's programme in Mediterranean forestry and natural resources management, delivered through a consortium of seven European universities coordinated by the University of Lisbon and funded by European Commission scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education — Forestry and Natural Resources Master's Programme

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAIAAAC

Thematic & Discipline-Specific Study Abroad Programs (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Study Abroad Program Providers (Multi-Country & Multi-Discipline)

SECONDARYEDAIAAAE

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Study Abroad Program Providers (Multi-Country & Multi-Discipline)

SECONDARYEDAIAAAD

Experiential & Field-Based Study Abroad (Research, Field Schools, Practicums)

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/Study Abroad Program Providers (Multi-Country & Multi-Discipline)

Keywords

• International forestry education
• Master degree programme
• Natural resources management
• Sustainable forestry training
• Erasmus Mundus scholarship

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: Funded by European Commission through Erasmus Mundus program; scholarships awarded to best-ranked candidates including specific regional allocations for Western Balkans, Eni East, and ENI South countries
2. Student Tuition/Fees: Program participation and living costs information available; exact tuition structure not publicly disclosed on website

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MEDfOR delivers a two-year International Master's Programme in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management through a consortium of seven European universities. Students complete coursework and thesis work across at least two consortium partners, with mandatory first-year placement at Lleida, Lisbon, or Padova, and second-year specialization at any of the five specialization providers. The program combines on-campus teaching, synchronous e-learning, a Winter School intensive, and an end-of-program Summer Event, leading to a jointly awarded Master's degree.

Product overview

MEDfOR is a single unified educational programme - a two-year Erasmus Mundus International Master Programme focused on Mediterranean forestry and natural resources management. The core offering is the Master Programme itself, which includes integrated components such as the Winter School (an intensive 3-week first-year course at University of Valladolid) and the Summer Event (an end-of-programme gathering at University of Tuscia). The programme offers five specialization tracks across consortium universities: Innovating the Mediterranean forest value chain (U Lisboa), Social and Environmental responsibility (U Padua), Integrated fire management (U Lleida), Adaptive forestry strategies (U Valladolid), and Advanced tools for sustainable management (U Tuscia).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MEDfOR Master Programme A two-year world-class International Master Programme focusing on the integrating theme of sustainability in Mediterranean forests and woodlands. The programme equips students with scientific knowledge and competences for careers in Mediterranean forestry supply chain, providing both academic preparation for PhD programmes and professional qualifications for positions in forestry and natural resources organizations. Students study at 2-3 of 7 consortium universities with mandatory first-year placement at Lleida, Lisbon, or Padova, and second-year specialization at any consortium university. Five specialization tracks are offered across consortium universities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Alumni pursue successful careers in academia, research institutions, government agencies, and international organizations (FAO, universities)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• University of LisboncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead consortium partner and website owner; provides specialization in 'Innovating the Mediterranean forest value chain' including environmental economics, multiple criteria decision making, governance and new forest-based products; hosts first-year students
• University of PadovacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner providing first-year education and specialization in 'Social and Environmental responsibility in Mediterranean forestry'; coordinates e-learning research methodology course
• University of LleidacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner providing first-year education and specialization in 'Integrated fire management in Mediterranean forest areas'; coordinates first-semester introductory online course
• University of ValladolidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner providing specialization in 'Adaptive forestry strategies to provide goods and services while coping with global change challenge'; hosts Winter School at Palencia campus
• Karadeniz Technical UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner based in Turkey; contributes to program delivery and student mobility options
• University of TusciacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner providing specialization in 'Advanced tools for sustainable management of Mediterranean forests'; organizes Summer Event in Pieve Tesino, Italian Alps
• Catholic University of PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner contributing to program delivery and student mobility between Portugal-based institutions
• Associated Partners (Stakeholders)supportingOthersOrganizations that provide internship opportunities for thesis work; serve as hosts for thesis fieldwork component; participate in Consultation Panel providing industry perspective
• Erasmus MunduscoreOthersEuropean Commission program providing funding, recognition, and scholarship framework for the MEDfOR program; facilitates international student mobility across consortium universities

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• SUFONAMA (Erasmus Mundus Sustainable Forest and Nature Management): A former Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Sustainable Forest and Nature Management, also delivered through a European university consortium. Directly comparable in structure (multi-university, EU-funded master's), subject matter (forestry/nature), and target market (international students seeking Erasmus Mundus scholarships).
• API (Academic Programs International): A US-based study abroad provider offering multi-location, multi-discipline programs across multiple countries. Comparable in business model (multi-university consortium, multi-location delivery) and target customer (international students), though focused on US undergraduates rather than master's-level forestry.
• IES Abroad: A large study abroad provider running multi-location, multi-country programs through university partnerships. Comparable structurally (consortium-style delivery across multiple universities and countries) and in customer base (international students), though broader in academic focus.
• CIS Abroad: A study abroad program provider offering multi-country, multi-discipline programs (including STEM/environmental tracks). Comparable in multi-location delivery model and target student population, though serving US undergraduates rather than graduate-level forestry.

Broad incumbents

• Wageningen University - MSc Forest and Nature Conservation: Wageningen's MSc in Forest and Nature Conservation is a leading European forestry master's competing for the same international applicant pool as MEDfOR. Comparable subject matter (sustainable forest management) and target market (international master's students), though delivered by a single institution.
• University of Helsinki - MSc Forest Sciences: Helsinki's MSc in Forest Sciences is a top-ranked European forestry degree with strong international intake. Comparable in subject (forest sciences), level (master's), and target customer (international students), but offered by a single university rather than a consortium.
• SLU (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) - MSc Forest Management: SLU offers master's programs in forest management and is one of Europe's premier forestry education institutions. Comparable in forestry subject matter and international student focus, with overlapping alumni placement in European forestry agencies and research institutions.
• BOKU University - MSc Forest Sciences: Austrian BOKU offers MSc programs in Forest Sciences, Management, and related fields with strong Mediterranean and European relevance. Comparable subject focus (sustainable forestry) and target market (international master's students).
• University of Freiburg - MSc Forest Sciences / Forestry: Freiburg's Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources offers forestry-related master's programs in Germany. Comparable in forestry subject and international master's student market, particularly for European and Erasmus-affiliated applicants.

Others

• Mediterranean Model Forest Network: The network that nominated MEDfOR for the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity 2026; a thematic ecosystem organization connecting Mediterranean forestry stakeholders. Comparable as an adjacent/ecosystem participant — provides industry validation, internship pathways, and stakeholder consultation panel members to MEDfOR.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedfor.eu&text=MEDFOR%20-%20Mediterranean%20Forestry%20and%20Natural%20Resources%20Management%20
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=dMh73FiJ-RQ&mute=0
• Facebookfacebook.com/MEDfOR-100063685744785
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/medfor-master-programme

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 MEDfOR