Eklipse

What Eklipse does

Eklipse is a European science-policy-society interface mechanism that synthesizes biodiversity and ecosystem-services knowledge on behalf of decision-makers. Established in 2016 as the EKLIPSE Horizon 2020 project, it transitioned in 2021 into a self-sustaining mechanism under the management of Alternet, an International Non-Profit Association of 25 partner institutes across 18 countries. Its core offering is a structured four-phase request process (pre-screening, scoping, answering, final synthesis) that assembles Expert Working Groups of up to 15 members to respond to policy-relevant questions. Eklipse serves European Commission directorates (DG ENV, DG RTD, DG MARE), EU member-state agencies, NGOs, international organizations (IUCN, WHO), and EU research projects, with deliveries typically in the 6-18 month timeframe.

The technical backbone is a portfolio of approximately 20-21 knowledge synthesis methods (systematic review, scoping review, Delphi process, joint fact-finding, Bayesian belief networks, scenario analysis, structured decision-making, etc.) curated by a Methods Expert Group chaired by Brady Mattsson at BOKU. These are operationalized through MAGICKS (Method Application and Guidance In Conducting Knowledge Syntheses), an open-source interactive decision-support tool for method selection. Governance is distributed across four bodies: a Strategic Advisory Board chaired by Sybille van den Hove, a Knowledge Coordination Body co-chaired by Ute Jacob and Nils Bunnefeld, the Methods Expert Group, and the Eklipse Management Body (EMB) of approximately seven staff led by Marie Vandewalle at UFZ in Leipzig. Eklipse also leads the European Network of Networks (ENoN) and is a constituent of the EU Science Service for Biodiversity. The organization is GDPR-compliant under Belgian law via its parent Alternet.

Eklipse operates on a non-commercial, grant-funded revenue model with no publicly disclosed pricing. Funding streams include legacy Horizon 2020 support, current Horizon Europe project participation (BioAgora, EmpowerUs, BioValue, RestoreID/Zoe), donations and crowdfunding that carry no priority status, and project-based service contracts with EC directorates. Outputs — reports, policy briefs, podcasts, videos, and workshop summaries — are made publicly available free of charge. Documented impact includes 21 answered requests, 2 ongoing, 300+ engaged experts, 2,600+ scientific citations, and 60+ referencing policy documents; its Nature-Based Solutions evaluation framework has been cited 397 times with a derivative publication exceeding 1,525 citations.

Name

Eklipse

Legal name

Eklipse

Website

https://eklipse.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Eklipse is a European non-profit science-policy interface mechanism that synthesizes biodiversity and ecosystem-services knowledge for decision-makers. It serves EU institutions, national agencies, NGOs, and international organizations through a structured request process backed by 21 knowledge synthesis methods and the MAGICKS tool.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science-policy knowledge synthesis services (biodiversity)

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) (BPADAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

EHS Auditing, Inspections & Assurance (BPAHAJAG)

Keywords

• Knowledge synthesis services
• Biodiversity policy advisory
• Science-policy interface
• Evidence synthesis methods
• Expert working groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EU Framework Programme Funding: Originally funded by the European Commission under Horizon 2020 (2016-2020) for the EKLIPSE project. The development was supported by the EC Environment Theme of the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technical Development. Now operates as a self-sustaining mechanism under Alternet management.
2. Project-based Funding and Donations: Eklipse accepts donations and crowdfunding to answer requests from organizations that cannot afford to pay. Donors receive no priority status in selection, process, or outputs. Currently involved in EU Horizon Europe projects including BioAgora and EmpowerUs.
3. Service Contract Work: Provides knowledge synthesis services to European Commission directorates (DG ENV, DG RTD, DG MARE), EU projects (BioAgora, EmpowerUs, BioValue), and international organizations (IUCN, WHO). Responds to policy-relevant questions within 6-18 months.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Eklipse runs a structured science-policy-society interface that processes knowledge requests on biodiversity and ecosystem services from EU institutions, national agencies, NGOs and international bodies. Selected requests are answered in 6–18 months by Expert Working Groups using a portfolio of approximately 21 evidence synthesis methods, producing reports, policy briefs, podcasts and videos. Supporting tooling includes the MAGICKS open-source decision-support tool for selecting synthesis methods, and the organization convenes the European Network of Networks (ENoN) and capacity-building events.

Product overview

Eklipse is a science-policy-society interface mechanism that provides a systematic knowledge synthesis service for decision-makers on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The core offering is the Eklipse Request Process, which answers policy-relevant questions through structured expert working groups using approximately 20 knowledge synthesis methods documented in their Methods Library. The MAGICKS interactive decision support tool helps select appropriate synthesis methods. Eklipse also facilitates the European Network of Networks (ENoN) connecting biodiversity interface organizations across Europe, and provides capacity building events and training. All outputs include evidence reports, policy briefs, podcasts, videos, and workshop reports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eklipse Request Process (Knowledge Synthesis Service) Systematic four-phase process (pre-screening, scoping, answering, final synthesis) that answers policy-relevant questions on biodiversity and ecosystem services by synthesizing the best available knowledge from scientists, practitioners and knowledge holders via Expert Working Groups; delivers evidence reports, policy briefs, podcasts and videos within 6-18 months.
• MAGICKS (Method Application and Guidance In Conducting Knowledge Syntheses) Open-source interactive decision support tool that guides the selection of appropriate knowledge synthesis methods for policy and management contexts, drawing on the work of the Methods Expert Group to collate and classify synthesis methods.
• Knowledge Synthesis Methods Library Documented suite of approximately 21 knowledge synthesis methods including systematic review, scoping review, Delphi process, joint fact-finding, Bayesian belief networks, scenario analysis, structured decision-making and focus groups, curated by Eklipse's Methods Expert Group.
• Expert Working Groups (EWGs) Groups of scientists and practitioners selected through open calls to address a specific request, conducting the actual knowledge synthesis work and producing evidence reports, policy briefs and supplementary materials.
• European Network of Networks (ENoN) A dynamic network led by Eklipse that connects science-policy-society interface organizations across Europe, including Alternet, EFNCP, G-Bike, Converges, Save Foundation and Proclias, to strengthen knowledge-based decision-making and disseminate outputs.
• Capacity Building Events & Training Workshops, webinars, science cafés and conferences delivered by Eklipse to build capacity among young professionals and stakeholders in science-policy interface activities and emerging biodiversity issues.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21 requests answered with 2 ongoing
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• BioValue (Horizon Europe Project)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Eklipse answers a request for the BioValue project on transformative potential of spatial planning for biodiversity. Working on spatial planning instruments and recommendations to enhance biodiversity in context of EU Nature Restoration Regulation.
• RestoreID (Horizon Europe Project)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Project funded under Horizon Call HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01 based on recommendations from Eklipse's Biodiversity and Pandemics report. Eklipse collaboration on development of Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) on restoration and health.
• Zoe Project (Horizon Europe Project)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Project funded under Horizon Call HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01 based on recommendations from Eklipse's Biodiversity and Pandemics strategic research agenda report.
• BioAgora (Horizon Europe Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Eklipse is actively co-developing the EU Science Service for Biodiversity by initiating and co-leading the Horizon Europe BioAgora project. This initiative implements a key action of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Eklipse supports the co-development of tailored programmes and explores rationalization of EU research and knowledge synthesis programmes through 10 to 12 requests.
• EmpowerUs (Horizon Europe Project)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022Eklipse answers requests for the EmpowerUs project on socio-economic empowerment of coastal communities. The project adopts the Eklipse process to ensure generated knowledge is policy-relevant. Eklipse co-developed processes related to empowerment tools and nature-based solutions for coastal resilience.
• EU Knowledge Centre for BiodiversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Eklipse's process was acknowledged by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre as the basis for the protocol for handling policy requests received by the KCBD. Eklipse continues collaboration with KCBD on biodiversity post-COVID cross-sectoral challenges workshops and ongoing knowledge needs.
• AlternetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Alternet, an International Non-Profit Association comprising 25 partner institutes from 18 countries, took over full management of the EKLIPSE Mechanism in 2019-2021. Eklipse fits ideally within Alternet as an activity specifically aimed at supporting decision-making on biodiversity. The transition was the result of months of preparation to ensure smooth handover from EU-funded project to self-sustaining mechanism.
• UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Initial coordinator of the EKLIPSE project (2016-2020 Horizon 2020 funding). CEH played a key role in establishing the mechanism as a proof of concept for science-policy interface on biodiversity in Europe.
• Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Took over coordination of the EKLIPSE project from CEH. Hosts the Eklipse Management Body (EMB) office in Leipzig. UFZ Department of Conservation Biology and Social-Ecological Systems leads the work on science-policy interfaces, with Dr. Marie Vandewalle heading the EMB.
• European Network of Networks (ENoN) MembersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Eklipse created and leads the ENoN, which includes Alternet, European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism, G-Bike, Converges, Save Foundation, and Proclias. The network of networks supports knowledge-based decision-making in Europe and strengthens collaborative work across countries and knowledge domains.
• European IPBES NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Eklipse fills a key European-level gap by focusing on specific knowledge needs of European decision-makers, complementing international SPIs such as IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). Eklipse links up with IPBES and SBSTTA-CBD for international science-policy interface activities.
• BiodivERsAmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016European biodiversity research network. Eklipse collaborated with BiodivERsA on requests including restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Joint activities supporting establishment of the Science Service, including contributions to BiodivERsA+ Stakeholder Engagement Strategy Handbook.
• Project Consortium Partners (Historical)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Original EKLIPSE project consortium included: NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ, Germany), Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE, Germany), Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité (FRB, France), Environmental Social Science Research Group (ESSRG, Hungary), TIAMASG (Spain), Ciimar/UPorto (Portugal), University of East Anglia (UK), University of Cambridge (UK).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global environmental research organization producing policy-relevant analysis on climate, ecosystems, and sustainability. Comparable in mission to bridge research and policy on environmental issues, with significantly larger scale and global rather than European focus.
• European Environment Agency (EEA): EU agency providing independent environmental information and assessments across a broader portfolio than Eklipse. Overlaps with Eklipse in biodiversity knowledge synthesis for EU policy but operates at pan-environmental scale with significantly larger mandate and resources.
• Cochrane: Global leader in systematic review methodology and evidence synthesis for health policy. Comparable in methodological rigour and synthesis process design, though operating in health rather than biodiversity; relevant benchmark for evidence synthesis operational models.
• IIASA (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis): International research institute applying systems analysis to global environmental and policy challenges. Comparable as an evidence-synthesis organization supporting international policy decisions, with broader thematic scope than Eklipse and established institutional reputation.

Regional players

• PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency: Dutch national environmental assessment agency producing integrated environmental policy assessments. Comparable in function (environmental knowledge synthesis for policy) but operates at national scale; relevant peer for assessing how European SPIs interface with national assessment bodies.

Direct peers

• Oppla: EU science-policy platform focused on nature-based solutions, operating alongside Eklipse within the EU Science Service for Biodiversity. Directly comparable as a knowledge brokering and evidence synthesis platform serving similar European policy audiences on overlapping biodiversity themes.
• EC Joint Research Centre Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD): EC JRC platform that adopted Eklipse's protocol as the basis for handling its own policy requests. Direct operational peer for biodiversity knowledge brokering within EU institutions, with Eklipse embedded as a methodology source.
• Biodiversa+: European biodiversity research partnership coordinating research funding and synthesis across European countries. Partner of Eklipse on restoration requests and stakeholder engagement, with overlapping expert networks and similar European-level biodiversity focus.
• IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services): International intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services that performs comparable assessments and evidence synthesis for global policy makers. Operates as a direct counterpart to Eklipse but at global rather than European level, with Eklipse explicitly designed to complement IPBES at regional scale.
• Biodiversity Information System for Europe (BISE): European Commission information hub for biodiversity data and policy-relevant evidence. Co-architect with Eklipse of the EU Science Service for Biodiversity, serving overlapping EU institutional requesters with comparable biodiversity knowledge brokering functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Eklipse_europe
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDYU3o_lZWrHFMDWh3EUdMA/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/eklipseeurope
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eklipse-europe
• Instagraminstagram.com/eklipse_europe

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Eklipse