CIVIC Institute for International Education

What CIVIC Institute for International Education does

CIVIC GmbH – Institut für internationale Bildung (Düsseldorf, Germany) is a privately-held educational institute founded as a GmbH and operating since at least 2009. It designs and delivers simulation games (Planspiele), workshops, and certified training programs focused on European integration, civic and political education, and public-administration capacity building. Its core products include a portfolio of multilingual simulation games on EU enlargement (Fokus Balkan, rebranded 'Mission Europa' in 2024), EU asylum and migration policy ('Destination Europe'), European defense and security ('United Beyond'), municipal decision-making ('Our Community', 'Politics and Bargaining'), and energy transition ('Sonnige Zukunft', 'Wi(e)der Wind'), complemented by certified training courses in data protection, integrity management, and corruption prevention delivered in partnership with dbb akademie. CIVIC's technology layer comprises a location- and time-independent online platform for the Fokus Balkan simulation, developed with technology partner Kastanie Eins, alongside standard Zoom-based remote delivery.

The institute operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct seminar delivery, institutional certification partnerships, and distribution through state political education centers (Landeszentralen für politische Bildung) and political foundations (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung). Customers are concentrated in the German public sector — civil servants at federal and state agencies, secondary and university students, and youth aged 14–30 — with international project work in the Western Balkans, South Caucasus, and Ukraine. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; certified program bookings are handled through dbb akademie's platform, while publications are largely free and distributed via state political education networks. The company is managed by Holger-Michael Arndt and Prof. (FH) Dr. Alexander Burka, employs approximately 15 people, and operates from Alt-Eller 38, Düsseldorf, generating revenue primarily through fee-based seminars, commissioned government projects, and project-based foundation funding.

Name

CIVIC Institute for International Education

Legal name

CIVIC GmbH – Institut für internationale Bildung

Website

https://civic-institute.eu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CIVIC Institute for International Education is a Düsseldorf-based German educational institute that designs simulation games and certified training programs on European integration, civic education, data protection, and integrity management for civil servants, students, and youth across Germany and selected EU-neighboring countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic and Political Education Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civic Literacy (Voting, Rights, Community Participation) (EDAAAAAH), Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Political education services
• Civic education programs
• EU simulation games
• Public administration training
• Corruption prevention seminars

Headquarters

HQ city

Düsseldorf

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Seminars and Training Programs: The institute conducts fee-based seminars, workshops, and certification courses for public administration officials, teachers, students, and youth. Programs are delivered in-person, online, or as blended learning. Certification exams (e.g., through dbb akademie) are included in course fees.
2. Publications and Educational Materials: CIVIC publishes simulation games, handbooks, and teaching materials on European integration, political education, and leadership development. Many publications are available for free download; some are sold through publishers such as Landeszentrale für politische Bildung.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

CIVIC Institute delivers political and civic education through interactive simulation games (Planspiele), certified training programs, and seminars focused on European integration, public administration topics (data protection, integrity management, corruption prevention), and youth civic engagement. The institute serves German and international public administration, schools, universities, and foundations with programs delivered in-person, online, and as blended learning in multiple languages including German, English, Russian, Polish, and Macedonian.

Product overview

CIVIC Institute for International Education offers a portfolio of simulation games (Planspiele) focused on European and international education, complemented by certified training programs and seminars. The core products include simulation games on EU topics (Fokus Balkan/Mission Europa, Destination Europe, Our Community, United Beyond) and practical seminars on corruption prevention, data protection, and integrity management. The institute also provides a digital online platform for the Fokus Balkan simulation. The offerings are available in multiple languages including German, English, Russian, Polish, and Macedonian.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fokus Balkan / Mission Europa Simulation game on EU enlargement examining the accession process, EU fundamentals, and core values. Participants take roles as media, Commission, Council, Parliament, or candidate states. Used in schools and universities.
• Destination Europe Simulation game on EU asylum and refugee policy addressing the situation of refugees in Europe and the question of a common European asylum policy. Conducted with university students and youth, often combined with study visits.
• Our Community! Simulation game on representing interests at the local level, dealing with the use of public places and negotiation of compromises in a multi-ethnic community setting.
• Phantastic Plastic Simulation game on avoiding single-use plastic packaging in the EU, based on EU Directive 2019/904.
• Politics and Bargaining! Simulation game on the decision-making process at the municipal level, dealing with interests and compromises in public space usage.
• Sonnige Zukunft Simulation game on local energy transition simulating a school conference where participants decide on building a PV system.
• Wi(e)der Wind? Simulation game on local energy transition, simulating a municipal council meeting regarding the construction of a wind park.
• United Beyond European Defense and Security Conference Simulation addressing collective security, European sovereignty, and a European Defense Union.
• Zertifizierte Fortbildung zum behördlichen Datenschutzbeauftragten Certified training for official data protection officers consisting of three modules covering European and national data protection law, with certification by dbb akademie. Delivered modularly with included exam.
• Integritätsmanagement in der öffentlichen Verwaltung Four-day certification course on integrity management in public administration with certification by dbb akademie.
• Grundlagen zur Korruptionsprävention Seminar providing fundamental overview of corruption, different forms of corruption in public administration, and practical prevention measures.
• Aufbauseminar Korruptionsprävention Advanced seminar on corruption prevention, teaching practical foundations of risk assessment and creation of a risk atlas for public administration.
• EU-Seminare Seminars on European Union topics including EU policy, institutions, and enlargement.
• Kommunikations-Seminare Seminars focused on communication skills and techniques for public administration and professionals.
• Rechts-Seminare Legal seminars covering legal topics relevant to public administration.
• EU-Jugendbotschafter@school Peer-to-peer project bringing the EU closer to groups with limited contact with Europe, conducted on behalf of the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Fokus Balkan Online-Plattform Online platform version of the Fokus Balkan simulation game enabling location-independent and time-shifted play with interactive tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Simulation games have been conducted internationally across Germany, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and other countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• dbb akademiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIVIC delivers certified training programs (e.g., behördliche Datenschutzbeauftragte, Integritätsmanagement) in cooperation with dbb akademie. dbb akademie provides official certification upon course completion and handles registration through its booking platform.
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborations documented: joint publication 'North Macedonia at a Glance' (2019), joint simulation game 'Focus Balkans' in Armenia (2021) with KAS Armenia office, and joint activities in Georgia and other countries. KAS is a key partner for European integration and political education projects.
• Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg (LpB BW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIVIC developed and continuously delivers simulation games (Fokus Balkan, Destination Europe, Mobil in Europa) in partnership with LpB BW. The Fokus Balkan was updated in 2020 and 2024, and an online platform was created in 2017. LpB distributes CIVIC's publications and facilitates their Juniorteam to implement programs in schools.
• Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Nordrhein-WestfalencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-published educational materials including 'Erlebnisraum Europa' (2008, 2nd edition 2011), 'Einander ANerkennen' (2008), and the workshop concept 'Was zählt, sind wir!?' (2019). NRW LpB publishes and distributes these materials for use in schools and non-formal education.
• Internationales Bildungsforum Burg LiebenzellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular venue partner for simulation games including 'Destination Europe' with Hochschule Fulda (December 2025) and 'SOS Europa' (July 2025). Provides facilities for multi-day workshops and seminars in a dedicated educational setting.
• Europe Direct OstsachsenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-conducted the democracy workshop 'dem0kratie' with Evangelische Zinzendorfschule Herrnhut in December 2025. Partnership focuses on civic education outreach in eastern Saxony.
• Staatskanzlei des Landes Nordrhein-WestfalencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCIVIC implements the 'EU-Jugendbotschafter@school' project on behalf of NRW's State Chancellery. This peer-to-peer program brings the EU to groups with limited exposure to Europe.
• Heinz-Kühn-BildungswerkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned the 'Soziales Wien' educational trip (28 April – 2 May 2025) with 19 participants from various German states, exploring social policy in Vienna.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Planpolitik GmbH: Berlin-based developer and operator of political simulation games (Planspiele) covering EU policy, democracy, and civic education. Most direct competitor to CIVIC's flagship Planspiel product line, serving schools, universities, and political foundations in Germany.
• DIALOGIK gGmbH: Stuttgart-based non-profit research and consulting firm that designs and delivers simulation games (Planspiele) on environmental, energy, and policy topics. Directly comparable methodology and German civic/education customer base.

Others

• Council of Europe — Youth Department: Intergovernmental body funding and organizing civic education, human rights, and democratic participation programs for European youth — directly comparable target audience to CIVIC's simulation and EU-Jugendbotschafter programs, and a frequent funder/partner in similar projects.

Broad incumbents

• Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES): Major German political foundation operating civic education, leadership academies, and international programs that overlap with CIVIC's political education and youth training offerings.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (DGAP): Berlin-based policy institute providing European and foreign policy education, training programs for civil servants, and youth academies on EU topics — overlapping with CIVIC's international civic education mission.
• Bertelsmann Stiftung: Large German foundation running civic education, Europe-related, and leadership programs targeting similar beneficiaries (youth, civil servants). Operates in adjacent civic education space with significantly greater resources.
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS): Germany-affiliated political foundation with extensive civic education, EU enlargement, and youth programming. KAS is both a CIVIC partner (joint simulations in Armenia/Georgia) and a broader incumbent operating comparable international programs at larger scale.
• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb): Federal German agency for political education — a much larger publicly funded entity that publishes free civic education materials and supports the same target audience (schools, youth, civil servants) as CIVIC's programs, and distributes competing content through state LpBs.
• Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-Württemberg: State-level political education center that co-develops CIVIC's flagship simulations (Fokus Balkan/Mission Europa) and distributes CIVIC content to schools — a quasi partner/competitor inside the same publicly funded civic education ecosystem.

Emerging players

• European Policy Centre (EPC): Brussels-based think tank that delivers EU policy education, briefings for officials, and youth-oriented engagement programs. Comparable international outlook and EU-policy training scope, though focuses on elite/policy audiences rather than broad civic education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/civic_institute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/civic-institut

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CIVIC Institute for International Education