Eco-Schools Nederland

Name

Eco-Schools Nederland

Legal name

Innovatie en Duurzaamheid BV

Website

https://eco-schools.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainability Engagement, Training & Behavior Change Programs (On-site) (BPABALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental Services, Waste & Recycling Management (EDALALAI)

Keywords

• Sustainability education programs
• School certification services
• Environmental education network
• Student-led sustainability curriculum
• Green flag accreditation

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. School Subscription Fees: Schools pay annual participation fees and one-time registration fees to participate in the Eco-Schools program. Pricing differs per educational level (primary, secondary, vocational). The subscription includes mentorship, starter kit, remote helpdesk, knowledge resources, and audit services.
2. Merchandise and Product Sales: Eco-Schools operates a webshop selling branded merchandise including pens (€0.60), bags (€3.95), stickers (€0.10), roll-up banners (€45), table flags (€10), enamel signs (€42.90), and Green Flags (€27.50).
3. Trial Participation: Schools can opt for a trial participation at €495 (excl. VAT) for one school year or calendar year to explore sustainable education before committing to full participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Eco-Schools Nederland sells a subscription-based sustainability education program to Dutch schools. Participating schools follow a seven-step methodology, conduct an Eco-scan baseline assessment, and form student-led Eco-teams that work on ten sustainability themes (climate, nature, water, energy, transport, food, waste, things, money, people). Schools progress through Bronze and Silver audits to earn the international Green Flag certification, supported by a dedicated mentor, an online portfolio platform, and a starter kit. Pricing is set per educational level (primary, secondary, vocational), with a one-year trial (Proefdeelname) at €495 and full participation at €1,600/year plus a €2,120 registration fee. Branded merchandise is sold through the Eco-Schools Webshop.

Product overview

Eco-Schools Nederland operates a subscription-based sustainability education program built around a seven-step methodology centered on an Eco-scan baseline measurement and student-led Eco-teams working on ten sustainability themes (climate, nature, water, energy, transport, food, waste, things, money, people). The core product is the Eco-Schools Program, through which schools progress from participant to Bronze to Silver to the internationally recognized Green Flag certification, supported by a dedicated mentor and the My Eco-Schools online platform for portfolio management and audit submissions. The offering is supplemented by specialized educational modules (Zoom: Light on Small, De Grote Plantenjacht), an international Twinning exchange program, and a monthly newsletter. An Eco-Schools Webshop sells branded merchandise (pens, bags, banners, signs, maps), and a trial participation tier (Proefdeelname) allows schools to explore the program for one year before committing to full membership. Additional free resources include inspiration days, workshops, and the annual Duurzaamheidsfestival.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eco-Schools Program (Full Participation) A subscription-based, seven-step sustainability program for Dutch primary, secondary, and vocational schools in which student-led Eco-teams work on ten sustainability themes, supported by a dedicated mentor, an Eco-scan baseline assessment, access to the My Eco-Schools online portfolio, audits, and a starter kit. Annual subscription is €1,600 plus a one-time €2,120 registration fee. Schools progress to Bronze, Silver, and the Green Flag certification.
• Green Flag (Groene Vlag) Certification International accreditation awarded to schools that consistently take sustainable steps while putting students first, organized around five pillars (student focus, sustainable process, education, building, community). Valid for two years with re-audit required. Schools display the Green Flag as a symbol of their sustainability achievements.
• Eco-Schools Webshop Online store selling Eco-Schools branded merchandise including pens made from wheat straw (€0.60), cloth bags (€3.95), stickers (€0.10), roll-up banners (€45), table flags (€10), enamel signs (€42.90), Green Flags (€27.50), and Eco-Schools maps made from agricultural waste (€20).
• Eco-Schools Proefdeelname (Trial Participation) One-year trial option for schools to explore Eco-Schools before committing to full membership. Includes a physical Eco-Schools binder (steps 1-4), a poster, a 45-minute digital coaching session at the start and a 45-minute reflection session at the end, access to updates and newsletters, and an invitation to the annual sustainability festival.
• Internationale Uitwisseling (Twinning) International school exchange program enabling Eco-Schools to connect with partner schools abroad to exchange on sustainability themes and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, facilitated through Erasmus+ and other European funding programs via FEE International.
• Zoom: Light on Small (Lesmateriaal) Free four-lesson educational package in which students explore ecosystems using microscopes, covering ecosystems, food webs, and cycles of matter. Suitable for primary school groups 7-8 and VMBO/HAVO/VWO grades 1-2. Developed in collaboration with Nikon.
• De Grote Plantenjacht (The Great Plant Hunt) Free five-lesson project for primary school groups 5-8 in which students investigate and map the school environment, explore similarities and differences between plants and animals, collect natural treasures, and create action plans to increase biodiversity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of participating schools become more sustainable
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• IVN NatuureducatiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the Netherlands, Eco-Schools is owned by IVN Natuureducatie, the largest organization for nature and environmental education in the country. IVN develops and implements programs that connect people with nature and sustainability.
• SME (Innovatie en Duurzaamheid BV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe management and coordination of Eco-Schools in the Netherlands has been outsourced to Innovatie en Duurzaamheid BV, operating under the name SME. SME executes the Eco-Schools program, manages the website, handles participant support, and conducts audits.
• Vereniging GDOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVereniging GDO is the network of 90 municipalities and 140 nature and sustainability centers that work to bring nature and sustainability closer to people through education, participation, and communication. They coordinate the Eco-Schools program.
• Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEco-Schools is a program of FEE, the world's largest organization for nature and environmental education. FEE developed the Eco-Schools methodology in 1994 and coordinates it internationally across 68 countries.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNEP has recognized the Eco-Schools methodology and Green Flag certification as the UN-recognized certification for sustainable schools. UNEP is the global authority on environmental issues and supports the Sustainable Development Goals.
• World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNWTO is a UN partner involved in all FEE programs including Eco-Schools. The natural link exists with Blue Flag, Green Key, and the Global Forest Fund of LEAF. Tourism and sustainable tourism are topics covered in Eco-Schools education.
• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO promotes peace, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development through education, science, culture, and communication. The UNESCO Schools certificate is a valuable extension of the Eco-Schools certification, with both frameworks strengthening each other.
• NikonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNikon Europe funded the development of Zoom: Light on Small educational materials. Students explore nature using microscopes learning about ecosystems, plants, and animals through this project.
• Leren voor Morgen (Learning for Tomorrow)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVereniging GDO is an active member of the Leren voor Morgen cooperation. The goal is to embed sustainability in the DNA of education using an integrated Whole School Approach. They co-organize the annual Duurzaamheidsfestival.
• Saavr (formerly BioCompact)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSaavr helps schools achieve significant water savings in sanitary spaces through waterless urinals and water-efficient toilets. They offer 10% discounts for Eco-Schools and provide educational opportunities for students to monitor water usage data.
• MicroFixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMicroFix provides exclusive IT repair services for Eco-Schools. Schools can have laptops, desktops, smartphones, tablets, and printers repaired. The partnership supports circular economy and reduces e-waste while extending device lifespan.
• Rooftop RevolutionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRooftop Revolution supports schools with multifunctional roofs that enhance biodiversity, generate energy, and create socially accessible spaces. They provide free lesson packages developed with IVN Natuureducatie.

Scale indicators7 records

Others

• Saavr: Water-saving technology partner of Eco-Schools offering 10% discounts to participating schools. Comparable as a sustainability services provider integrated into the Eco-Schools supporter ecosystem serving the same school customers.
• IVN Natuureducatie: Parent organization of Eco-Schools Nederland and the largest Dutch nature and environmental education provider. Directly comparable as a sustainability education provider but operates as the parent brand rather than a competitor.
• Plastic Whale: Amsterdam-based plastic cleanup social enterprise that partners with Eco-Schools students on canal cleanups. Comparable as a Dutch sustainability engagement provider operating in the same student-led environmental action space.

Broad incumbents

• Green Key: Sibling FEE program offering sustainability certification for hotels and tourism, sharing governance and methodology with Eco-Schools. Comparable as a parallel FEE certification brand targeting operational sustainability.
• UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet): UN-backed global network offering sustainability and citizenship credentials to schools. Flagship partner of Eco-Schools but also a competing certification, addressing similar school sustainability mandates at broader UN scale.
• Blue Flag: Another FEE program certifying beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism operators. Operates under the same FEE umbrella and shares the Green Flag brand infrastructure, making it a structural sibling comparable in governance and methodology.
• WWF Education (WNF Schools): WWF Netherlands runs school sustainability and biodiversity programs targeting the same Dutch K-12 audience as Eco-Schools, positioning it as a broad sustainability education incumbent competing for curriculum time and partnerships.

Direct peers

• Leren voor Morgen: Dutch coalition that co-organizes Eco-Schools' annual Duurzaamheidsfestival and promotes the Whole School Approach for embedding sustainability in Dutch education. Directly comparable as a sustainability education coordination body serving the same school market.
• Eco-Schools International (FEE): The global umbrella program of the Foundation for Environmental Education that owns the seven-step methodology and Green Flag certification Eco-Schools Nederland operates under. Directly comparable as the parent methodology and brand.
• Fairtrade Schools: School sustainability certification focused on fair trade themes that competes for the same school sustainability budget and curriculum attention as Eco-Schools in the Netherlands and across Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eco-schools-nederland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Eco-Schools Nederland