Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit

What Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit does

Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit in Kultur und Medien is a Berlin-based non-profit, founded in 2020 and operating as a project under Delta1 gGmbH, that drives the ecological transformation of the German- and Austrian-speaking cultural sector. Its core offering is the IHK/WIFI-certified professional training programme "Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur," delivered in regional cohorts (Bund-Runde, NRW-Runde, Österreich-Runde) that have produced more than 500 certified alumni ("Transformerys") across roughly eleven cohorts. The network serves theaters, museums, orchestras, festivals, and music venues — including named clients such as Museum Ludwig, Theater Bonn, Konzerthaus Dortmund, Gewandhaus Leipzig, Salzburger Festspiele, and the Ruhrtriennale — by training sustainability leads within institutions and convening peer-learning formats such as the TxT Tandem programme.

Its second core product is CO2-Bilanzierung (climate accounting), supported by a free sector-specific tool, the CO2-Rechner für die Kultur, which was adapted from Julie's Bicycle's Creative Green Tool in partnership with EnergieAgentur.NRW and tailored for German cultural institutions. Adjacent services include workshops, keynotes, and panel contributions, as well as thought-leadership outputs such as the "11 Thesen für einen Green Deal mit der Kultur" policy framework and a freely available Starter Toolkit of workshop methods.

The business model is predominantly grant-funded: project-based institutional support from the Bundeskulturstiftung, the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science, and the WKO/WIFI in Austria, supplemented by training-fee revenue and direct CO2 accounting engagements. Marketing and distribution run through the website, LinkedIn, a Facebook group, an email newsletter, FAQ webinars, and a dense referral network of 50+ institutional partners. The company is led by Jacob Sylvester Bilabel, who also founded the Green Music Initiative, and operates with roughly 21 staff.

Name

Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit

Legal name

Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit in Kultur und Medien

Website

https://aktionsnetzwerk-nachhaltigkeit.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit is a Berlin-based non-profit, founded in 2020, that delivers IHK/WIFI-certified sustainability training (Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur) and CO2 climate accounting for cultural institutions across Germany and Austria, serving theaters, museums, orchestras, and festivals through a network of 500+ certified alumni.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Training and Consulting for Cultural Institutions

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability & ESG Consulting (BPAHACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regulatory & Disclosure Strategy (CSRD/ESRS, ISSB/IFRS S2, SEC, TCFD) (EUABAKAH), GHG Accounting & Net-Zero/Decarbonization Planning (Scopes 1–3) (EUAHAJAC), Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF), Climate Change Mitigation/Adaptation & Natural Resource Management Technical Assistance (BPADAEAJ)

Keywords

• Sustainability training
• Cultural sector consulting
• CO2 climate accounting
• Ecological transformation management
• Green deal policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Training and Certification: The organization offers IHK/WIFI-certified professional training programmes (Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur) for cultural sector professionals. Revenue is generated through training fees for the Weiterbildung programme, which operates in multiple regional rounds (Bund, NRW, Österreich).
2. Project Grants and Institutional Funding: The organization receives project-based funding from public institutions including the Bundeskulturstiftung (Federal Cultural Foundation), the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, and other government bodies to support pilot projects, climate accounting, and training initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit in Kultur und Medien is a non-profit network that operates an IHK/WIFI-certified professional training programme (Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur) qualifying cultural sector professionals as sustainability transformation managers, alongside professional CO2 climate accounting services for cultural institutions and practice-oriented workshops, keynotes, and panel contributions. It also delivers a peer-learning Tandem programme (TxT) for alumni, a policy framework (11 Thesen für einen Green Deal), and a freely available sector-specific CO2 calculator (CO2-Rechner für die Kultur) adapted from Julie's Bicycle's Creative Green Tool.

Product overview

Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit offers a portfolio of interconnected sustainability services for the culture and media sector, centered on the IHK/WIFI-certified "Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur" professional training program. The core offering combines this certification training with CO₂-balancing services for cultural institutions and practice-oriented workshops/keynotes. Supporting offerings include the TxT Tandem peer-learning program for alumni, the "11 Thesen für einen Green Deal" policy framework, and a methodological toolkit for sustainability workshops. Regional variants (Bund-Runde, NRW-Runde, Österreich-Runde) adapt the core training to different geographic contexts with local certification partners (IHK Rhein-Neckar, IHK Köln, WIFI Austria).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur (Professional Training) IHK/WIFI-certified professional training programme that qualifies cultural sector professionals as Transformationsmanager:innen to actively shape ecologically sustainable cultural institutions and projects. Delivered in multiple regional rounds (Bund-Runde certified by IHK Rhein-Neckar, NRW-Runde certified by IHK Köln, Österreich-Runde certified by WIFI/Wirtschaftskammer Österreich).
• CO2-Bilanzierung (Klimabilanzen / Climate Accounting) Professional CO2 accounting and climate balance services for cultural institutions, providing data-driven carbon footprint assessments for buildings, events, tours, and productions. Offered directly to cultural institutions with expert consultant support from the network.
• Workshops, Keynotes & Panel Contributions Practice-oriented workshops, keynotes, and panel contributions on sustainability and CO2 reduction in the cultural sector. Delivered to cultural institutions, networks, and event organisers with a focus on knowledge transfer, concrete action approaches, and structured exchange.
• TxT Tandemprogramm Year-long peer-learning tandem programme pairing two Transformerys alumni in a mutual, self-designed exchange. Provides structured space for honest feedback, joint reflection, new perspectives, and mutual support independent of hierarchies or institutional structures. Second round launched in May 2026.
• Starter Toolkit – Methodensammlung für Nachhaltigkeits-Workshops Method collection for sustainability workshops in cultural institutions, providing freely available methodological knowledge for participatory sustainability transformation processes within cultural institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500 Transformationsmanager:innen (Transformerys) trained and active across Germany and Austria
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

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

• Green Culture Festival (GCF)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 May 2026The Green Culture Festival 2026, Europe's largest professional event for sustainability in arts, culture, and media, hosts the Aktionsnetzwerk with its own project staircase, a thinking space featuring the 11 Thesen audio installation, and the Transformery Stammtisch networking event.
• Salzburger FestspielemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025The Salzburger Festspiele hosted the launch event for the first Austrian generation of the Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur training programme, providing venue access and hosting through Lukas Crepaz, Nathalie Prasser, and Nina Loiblichler.
• Alte Feuerwache MannheimminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 September 2025The Alte Feuerwache Mannheim provided its studio space for the launch event of the 9th generation of the Bund-Runde training programme, hosting 28 participants in a face-to-face session.
• Stadt Köln - Dezernat Kunst und Kultur / Koordinationsstelle KlimaschutzmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 November 2024The City of Cologne's arts and culture department, along with its climate protection coordination office, co-sponsored the Köln hoch 3 project (second round) to train 19 people from Cologne's cultural institutions and create additional climate accounts.
• Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKO) / WIFI ÖsterreichcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) and its WIFI training institute partnered with the Aktionsnetzwerk to deliver the Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur training in Austria, adapting the programme for the Austrian context and providing official certification through WIFI.
• KULTURKLIMA Netzwerk (Österreich)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024KULTURKLIMA is a key local partner in Austria for the rollout of the Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur training, alongside Barbara Neundlinger (Bundestheater-Holding) and Margarete (Maxi) Reichel-Neuwirth (OETHG).
• EnergieAgentur.NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2021EnergieAgentur.NRW partnered with the Aktionsnetzwerk to adapt and translate the Creative Green Tool from Julie's Bicycle into the CO2-Rechner für die Kultur, making it freely available to the German cultural sector. The agency also provides expert consulting in the pilot project for climate accounting in NRW.
• Museum Ludwig, KölnmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2021Museum Ludwig became an official partner of the Aktionsnetzwerk in October 2021, committing to ecological sustainability in its operations. The museum's sustainability team was initiated by Miriam Szwast, a graduate of the first Transformationsmanager:in cohort.
• Fête de la Musique (Berlin)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2021The Fête de la Musique Berlin signed a Green Deal with the Aktionsnetzwerk, committing to climate neutrality by 2030, 20-25% energy reduction, doubling resource efficiency, and training a 'Greener FDLM Ambassador'. The event aims to be a pilot for more than 80 German cities.
• Delta1 gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelta1 gGmbH is the project sponsor (Projektträger) of the Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit in Kultur und Medien, based in Berlin. It is responsible for the organisational structure, data protection policy, and operational administration of the network.
• IHK Rhein-NeckarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IHK Rhein-Neckar provides official certification for the Transformationsmanager:in Nachhaltige Kultur training programme (Bund-Runde), ensuring quality standards and professional recognition of the qualification within the German business community.
• Julie's Bicycle (Arts Council UK)coreTechnology or IntegrationJulie's Bicycle, through its Creative Green Tool, licensed its carbon accounting methodology to the Aktionsnetzwerk and EnergieAgentur.NRW, which adapted it for the German cultural sector as the CO2-Rechner für die Kultur.
• Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-WestfalencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia co-funds and co-organises the NRW-specific rounds of the Transformationsmanager:in training and co-hosts the Köln hoch 3 project for training, climate accounting, and transformation of Cologne's cultural institutions.
• c/o pop ConventionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partnerc/o pop Convention, Germany's most important meeting point for pop cultural professionals, is a long-standing partner in developing and promoting the Transformationsmanager:in training. Ralph Christoph serves as a key spokesperson and partner in this initiative.
• Green Music Initiative (GMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Music Initiative is a co-founding partner and long-term collaborator. Jacob Bilabel, founder of GMI, also leads the Aktionsnetzwerk. GMI and the network co-curate events such as Future Talks at Reeperbahn Festival and the Green Culture Festival.
• Green Touring NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Touring Network is a founding member and strategic partner focused on sustainable touring practices in the music industry. Fine Stammnitz, its managing director, is a founding member of Music Declares Emergency Germany. The network co-develops projects including workshops and events on sustainable music industry practices.
• Museum Folkwang, EssenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum Folkwang is a long-standing partner and host of network events including the Transformery network dinner. The museum participated in the NRW CO2 accounting pilot project and co-hosts sustainability events.
• Wuppertal InstitutmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wuppertal Institut, a leading research institute for transformation and sustainability, is listed as a partner of the Aktionsnetzwerk, providing scientific expertise and knowledge exchange on ecological transformation processes.
• Performing for FuturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming for Future is a partner network focused on sustainability in the performing arts, collaborating with the Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste (BFDK) on the 'Performing Arts – Performing Future' advisory project.
• K7 MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerK7 Music, led by CEO Horst Weidenmüller, is one of the first music companies to publish a net zero strategy and carbon transparency report, sharing its methodology as a model for the industry.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts (CSPA): US-based organisation pairing arts and culture with sustainability practice, education, and convening — comparable scope (cross-sector cultural sustainability) and offering portfolio (training, resources, convening), though US-focused.
• Julie's Bicycle: UK-based non-profit that developed the Creative Green Tool which Aktionsnetzwerk's CO2-Rechner is adapted from; the most direct global peer operating across training, CO2 accounting, and policy advocacy for sustainability in the arts and cultural sector.
• Green Music Initiative: Germany-based non-profit focused on sustainability in the music industry; co-founding partner of the Aktionsnetzwerk (Jacob Bilabel founded both), co-curating Future Talks and the Green Culture Festival — overlapping offering and even shared leadership.
• Creative Carbon Scotland: Scotland-based organisation supporting arts and cultural organisations on environmental sustainability, carbon reporting, and sectoral training — directly comparable scope (cultural-sector carbon + training) though operating in a different jurisdiction.
• KULTURKLIMA Netzwerk: Austria-based network for sustainability in the cultural sector and the lead local partner for the Aktionsnetzwerk's Österreich-Runde; comparable mission and even shared cohort delivery via WIFI.
• Performing for Future: Germany-based partner network focused on ecological sustainability in the performing arts, collaborating with Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste; comparable target segment (theater, freelance performing arts) and overlapping practitioner audience.

Others

• Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie: Germany's leading sustainability transformation research institute, listed as a partner providing scientific expertise; an adjacent/ecosystem enabler rather than a competitor, but a useful comparable for science-backed sustainability advisory.
• Bundesverband Freie Darstellende Künste (BFDK): Federal association for independent performing arts in Germany; collaborating with Performing for Future through a sectoral advisory project — adjacent constituency (German performing arts) and typical funder/association counterpart for the network's programming.

Emerging players

• Culture Declares Emergency: UK-launched movement mobilising cultural organisations to declare climate and ecological emergency; adjacent activist/membership model with growing German equivalents (Music Declares Emergency Germany), overlapping the network's policy advocacy work.

Broad incumbents

• EnergieAgentur.NRW: North Rhine-Westphalia's state energy and climate agency; partner that co-developed the CO2-Rechner and supports NRW pilot climate accounting — comparable consulting capability but with a much broader mandate beyond culture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/330167311426139
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aktionsnetzwerk-nachhaltigkeit

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Aktionsnetzwerk Nachhaltigkeit