Advocates for the Future

What Advocates for the Future does

Advocates for the Future (Stichting Advocates for the Future) is a Dutch legal non-profit organization founded in 2024 and headquartered in Amsterdam at Mauritskade 64. The organization uses strategic litigation and public advocacy to hold Dutch and European governments, state-owned enterprises, and major corporations accountable for climate inaction, with an explicit focus on defending the legal interests of youth and future generations. Its portfolio comprises five active campaigns: a fossil phase-out demand against the Port of Rotterdam Authority (the largest fossil-based energy hub in Europe); a challenge to the EUR 2 billion Dutch state aid package for Tata Steel filed with the European Commission; the defense of The Hague's world-first binding fossil fuel advertising ban; an LNG greenwashing complaint against MSC Cruises; and objections to new oil and gas extraction permits in the North Sea (L7-F and F06-IJssel fields).

The organization's core service offering is in-house legal representation combined with coordinated public campaigns. Work is delivered by a team of eight employees that includes three lawyers registered with the Dutch Bar Association (Hanneke Schreur, Irene Bloemen, Rebecca van der Weerdt), a legal associate (Pien de Wal), a campaign coordinator (Hannah Prins), and Founder/Director Maikel van Wissen. Cases typically progress through demand letters, regulatory complaints, and formal litigation. Notable outcomes include the April 2025 District Court of The Hague ruling upholding the fossil ad ban, which prompted 18 Dutch municipalities to adopt similar bans, and the Dutch Advertising Code Committee ruling against MSC Cruises, the first time sustainability claims about fossil LNG were deemed misleading. The organization does not develop proprietary technology products; its technology stack is limited to Donorbox (donations), Laposta (email), and Framer Analytics (privacy-friendly website metrics).

The organization operates as a Dutch stichting (foundation), recognized by the Dutch tax authority as an Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling (ANBI / Public Benefit Organisation), which makes donations tax-deductible. Revenue is generated entirely through three donation streams: individual contributions processed via the Donorbox platform, larger philanthropy and institutional donations, and legacy gifts (bequests). The organization is governed by a two-tier structure consisting of a five-member Supervisory Board (Femke Bartels, Sanne van Keulen, Radboud van Delft, Jaantje Kramer, Caecilia Thunnissen) and a Board led by the Founder/Director. First audited annual accounts are scheduled for publication in 2026.

Name

Advocates for the Future

Legal name

Stichting Advocates for the Future

Website

https://advocatesforthefuture.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dutch legal non-profit using strategic litigation and public advocacy to hold governments and corporations accountable for climate inaction, defending the interests of youth and future generations through campaigns on fossil fuel phase-out, state aid, and greenwashing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Legal Advocacy

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (81331)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Policy, Advocacy & Litigation (BPAGAGAG), Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Strategic climate litigation
• Environmental legal advocacy
• Public interest law
• Fossil fuel accountability
• Climate justice campaigns

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting climate and environmental causes. Processed via Donorbox platform. Accepts donations of varying sizes, with larger donors invited for personal meetings to discuss opportunities.
2. Philanthropy & Institutional Donors: Larger donations from philanthropists and institutional donors, with personalized engagement including meetings with team members to discuss opportunities and impact.
3. Legacy Gifts: Bequests and wills安排的捐款，支持组织长期使命。

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Advocates for the Future is a Dutch legal non-profit organization that uses strategic litigation and public advocacy to hold governments and corporations accountable for climate action. The organization pursues specific legal cases including the Port of Rotterdam fossil phase-out demand, the Tata Steel state aid challenge, the Fossil Ad Ban defense, the LNG Greenwashing complaint against MSC Cruises, and challenges to North Sea gas extraction permits, while building coalitions with civil society partners and youth representatives.

Product overview

Advocates for the Future is a legal non-profit organization that combines public advocacy with the power of the law to protect people and the planet. The organization offers a unified portfolio of legal advocacy services including climate litigation, public campaigns, and youth engagement programs. Their core work centers on strategic legal campaigns focused on major environmental issues: the Port of Rotterdam fossil phase-out campaign, the Tata Steel state aid campaign, the Fossil Ad Ban campaign (supporting The Hague's world-first binding ban), the LNG Greenwashing complaint against MSC Cruises, and the No New Gas Fields campaign challenging North Sea drilling permits. The organization operates as a stichting (foundation) registered in the Netherlands, employing in-house lawyers and working with coalitions of NGOs, unions, and youth groups to drive systemic change through legal action and public advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Climate Litigation Services Legal advocacy and strategic litigation services to hold governments and corporations accountable for climate action, including demand letters, court proceedings, and regulatory complaints. Delivered to civil society, public interest, and future generations.
• Public Advocacy Campaigns Innovative public campaigns that raise awareness on environmental issues, mobilize public debate, and influence policies and regulatory frameworks. Delivered to the general public and supporters.
• Port of Rotterdam Campaign Legal campaign demanding the Port of Rotterdam Authority create a fossil phase-out plan aligned with Paris Agreement targets. Sent a demand letter to the Port of Rotterdam Authority on May 12, 2026, threatening legal action if demands are not met.
• Tata Steel Campaign Advocacy against EUR 2 billion state aid package for Tata Steel, arguing proposed support lacks binding climate conditions and does not deliver genuine emission reductions. Submitted observations to the European Commission on April 7, 2026.
• Fossil Ad Ban Campaign Campaign supporting the world's first binding fossil fuel advertising ban in The Hague, including legal defense against industry challenge. District court of The Hague upheld the ban on April 25, 2025, rejecting all arguments brought by travel companies ANVR and TUI.
• LNG Greenwashing Campaign Complaint against MSC Cruises for misleading advertising about LNG as a sustainable cruise fuel, resulting in Dutch Advertising Board ruling on October 1, 2024, against the company. MSC Cruises subsequently withdrew misleading LNG advertisements worldwide.
• No New Gas Fields Campaign Legal actions challenging Dutch government permits for new oil and gas extraction in the North Sea, arguing new permits violate climate obligations and international law. Includes notice of objection against the L7-F gas and oil extraction project by Eni Energy Netherlands, and notice of appeal against the F06-IJssel gas and oil field operated by ONE-Dyas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fossil ad ban upheld in court - 18 Dutch municipalities adopted similar bans
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reclame FossielvrijcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2025Partnered with Reclame Fossielvrij to defend The Hague's fossil ad ban in court proceedings. When major travel companies (ANVR and TUI) challenged the ban, Reclame Fossielvrij intervened in the proceedings supported by Advocates for the Future. The court upheld the ban, setting a landmark precedent.
• CE DelftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2024Independent research organization that conducted study on Port of Rotterdam's climate footprint. Research revealed 604 Mt CO2eq total emissions linked to port activities and that port's facilitated emissions are ~50x greater than Schiphol airport.
• Fossielvrij NLcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2024Joint complaint filed with Fossielvrij NL and De Reclamejagers against MSC Cruises' LNG greenwashing. The Dutch Advertising Code Committee ruled against MSC Cruises, marking the first time sustainability claims about fossil LNG were deemed misleading.
• De ReclamejagerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2024Joint complaint filed with Fossielvrij NL and Advocates for the Future against MSC Cruises' LNG greenwashing campaign. Successfully convinced Dutch advertising authority that LNG claims were misleading.
• Stichting AllemansrechtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization that contributed to website development. Acknowledged in footer as making the website possible.
• Dutch Bar Association (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLawyers at Advocates for the Future are registered with Dutch Bar. Three lawyers (Hanneke Schreur, Irene Bloemen, Rebecca van der Weerdt) are registered for General Practice and must obtain training credits annually.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ClientEarth: International environmental law charity using litigation and advocacy to address climate change. Operates the same in-house lawyer + strategic litigation model as Advocates for the Future but at pan-European scale.
• Urgenda: Dutch climate foundation that won the landmark Urgenda v. Netherlands case, forcing the Dutch government to accelerate emission reductions. Operates as a small Dutch advocacy NGO using strategic climate litigation — the same model as Advocates for the Future.
• Fossielvrij NL: Dutch fossil fuel divestment and advocacy organization. Active partner of Advocates for the Future on the MSC Cruises LNG greenwashing complaint and uses legal advocacy targeting fossil fuel companies in the Netherlands.
• De Reclamejagers: Dutch advertising watchdog that files complaints against misleading sustainability claims. Co-filed the MSC Cruises LNG complaint with Advocates for the Future and uses similar legal/regulatory complaint mechanisms.
• Reclame Fossielvrij: Coalition behind the world's first binding fossil ad ban in The Hague. Actively partnered with Advocates for the Future in court to defend the ban against industry challenge — highly comparable mission and tactics.
• Milieudefensie: Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth, known for the landmark Shell climate litigation. Small Dutch environmental advocacy organization using legal action against corporate polluters — directly comparable model.

Broad incumbents

• Greenpeace Netherlands: Larger Dutch environmental advocacy organization with overlapping climate litigation and campaigning agendas. Operates a broader portfolio than Advocates for the Future but competes for similar donor and media attention.
• Environmental Defense Fund Europe: Established environmental NGO with strong climate litigation track record. Operates in Europe with broader portfolio and significantly larger resources, but uses strategic legal action as a core pillar — comparable approach.
• Natuur & Milieu: Dutch nature and environment organization advocating for climate policy and clean energy. Operates a broader lobbying and advocacy portfolio overlapping with Advocates for the Future's Netherlands-only climate focus.

Emerging players

• Center for Climate Integrity: US-based nonprofit focused on holding fossil fuel companies accountable through legal action. Uses similar plaintiff-side litigation tactics targeting petrochemical and fossil fuel majors with comparable coalition-building approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/advocates-for-the-future

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Advocates for the Future