Fundación Alternativas

What Fundación Alternativas does

Fundación Alternativas is a Madrid-based progressive think tank founded in 1997, registered in Spain as a non-profit foundation (CIF G81845083) with 11-50 employees. Its core activity is the production and dissemination of annual and thematic policy reports on democracy in Spain, the EU State of the Union, culture, sustainability, science and technology, Iberoamerica, and Africa, supplemented by opinion columns and a weekly newsletter. The foundation organizes seminars, webinars, debates, and presentations both at its Madrid headquarters (Don Ramón de la Cruz 39) and at partner venues including the Spanish Congress of Deputies, the European Parliament in Brussels, and various universities.

The organization serves policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, and progressive citizens primarily in Spain and the EU, with international reach into Iberoamerica, Africa, and increasingly Asia (India, China). It distributes content freely via a WordPress-based website and engages an audience through a three-tier individual membership program (Socio/a Joven at €72/yr, General at €144/yr, Plus at €110/yr) plus recurring institutional collaborations with foundations (Repsol, Carasso, Cousteau, Ecoembes, Sedigas) and counterpart think tanks (CIDOB, Real Instituto Elcano, OEI, SEGIB). Revenue mechanics are typical of a Spanish non-profit: small-denomination subscription income, project-based grants, and event-driven partnerships, with no commercial product or paid API. Governance rests on a Patronato of senior Spanish political and academic figures led by honorary president Pere Portabella, advisory council president Nicolás Sartorius, and executive vice president Diego López Garrido.

Name

Fundación Alternativas

Legal name

FUNDACION ALTERNATIVAS

Website

https://fundacionalternativas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fundación Alternativas is a Madrid-based progressive think tank founded in 1997 that produces policy reports on EU affairs, democracy, culture, sustainability, and Iberoamerica, serving policymakers, academics, and civil society through publications, events, and membership subscriptions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Think Tank Services

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

Keywords

• Policy research services
• Think tank publications
• EU affairs analysis
• Political analysis reports
• Progressive policy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid

HQ country

Spain

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. Member subscriptions (Socio/a): Three membership tiers (General at €12/month or €144/year, Young at €6/month or €72/year, Plus at €10/month or €110/year) provide recurring membership revenue. Members receive exclusive benefits including early document access, reserved event seating, exclusive meetings with board members, and direct engagement with researchers.
2. Publications and reports distribution: Annual and thematic reports (EU State of the Union, Democracy in Spain, Culture, Sustainability, Science & Technology, Iberoamerica, Africa) are distributed free of charge via the website to drive influence, visibility, and membership acquisition.
3. Institutional collaborations and partnerships: Collaborative projects with public institutions (Spanish government, EU Parliament, regional governments), foundations (Repsol Foundation, Iberdrola, Cousteau, Carasso), and international organizations generate funding and co-branded publications.
4. Newsletter subscriptions: Weekly newsletters covering activities, publications, and department updates distributed to subscribers, with optional topic-specific subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fundación Alternativas is a non-profit progressive think tank that produces annual and thematic policy reports on EU affairs, democracy in Spain, culture, sustainability, science & technology, Iberoamerica, and Africa. It complements its research output with seminars, debates, webinars, and conferences, and sustains operations through a three-tier individual membership program (Socio/a Joven, General, Plus) plus institutional collaborations with governments, foundations, and international organizations.

Product overview

Fundación Alternativas is a progressive think tank that functions as a center for political, social, economic, and cultural reflection and influence. The organization operates as a unified intellectual output platform rather than a software product. Its core offerings consist of published policy reports (Informes) on topics including culture, democracy, sustainability, European affairs, Iberoamerica, Africa, and science; organized events including debates, seminars, and webinars; a weekly newsletter subscription service; and a three-tier membership program (Socio/a Joven, Socio/a General, Socio/a Plus). All offerings serve the foundation's mission of producing progressive ideas for political, social, and cultural change.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Publications (Informes y Documentos de Trabajo) The foundation's primary intellectual output consists of annual and periodic reports on policy topics including EU State of the Union, Democracy in Spain, Culture, Sustainability, Science & Technology, Inequality, Africa, Iberoamerica, and European affairs. These publications serve policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, and the general public, and are distributed free of charge via the website.
• Events and Activities (Debates, Seminarios, Webinars) Regular debates, seminars, webinars, and report presentations held at the foundation's headquarters in Madrid, the European Parliament in Brussels, and partner venues internationally. Events feature expert speakers, policymakers, and academics and are open to members and the public.
• Membership Program (Socio/a) Three-tier individual membership program offering benefits including early access to documents, reserved seats at public events, exclusive encounters with board members (patronos), direct dialogue with researchers, and eligibility for prize draws. Tiers include Socio/a Joven (€6/month or €72/year), Socio/a General (€12/month or €144/year), and Socio/a Plus (€10/month or €110/year). Contributions are up to 80% tax-deductible under Spanish non-profit law.
• Newsletter Subscription Weekly email newsletters providing information about foundation activities, publications, and news from various departments. Subscribers can choose to receive general updates or topic-specific content across areas such as EU affairs, democracy, culture, sustainability, and international affairs.

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

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• CSDR (Consejo de Investigación Estratégica y de Defensa)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026International seminar organized jointly in Delhi, India, between Fundación Alternativas and CSDR, a prestigious research center on strategic studies and defense.
• SedigasminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024Fundación Alternativas and Sedigas signed a collaboration agreement to promote renewable gases, such as biomethane, as part of the foundation's sustainability agenda.
• Cousteau Foundation (Philippe Cousteau 'Unión de los Océanos')minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 April 2022The foundations signed and ratified a cooperation agreement for ocean preservation and marine sustainability initiatives.
• EcoembesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the presentation of sustainability reports and joint activities focused on circular economy, environmental communication, and sustainable production in Spain.
• Fundación RepsolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint workshops on forestation and decarbonization, as well as debates on capital natural and the transition to net-zero emissions.
• Fundación Daniel y Nina CarassominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint presentation of the First White Paper on Sustainable Food in Spain with a global approach and concrete measures.
• CEAR (Comisión Española de Ayuda al Refugiado)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint presentation of the 'White Paper on the Protection System in Spain' on international protection and refugee rights.
• Casa ÁfricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative events and meetings on African affairs, diplomacy, and Spain-Africa relations. The director of Casa África visited the foundation's headquarters.
• Casa ÁrabeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint seminars on the Gulf region and North Africa, bringing together regional experts from both organizations.
• Casa AméricaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative debates and events on Latin America, US policy, and international affairs including Biden's 'build back better' policy and Colombia's government.
• CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on international affairs including the War and Peace series, EU presentations, and Iberoamerican summits. CIDOB regularly hosts joint events with the foundation.
• Real Instituto ElcanocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint organization of the European Think Tanks Summit and collaboration on think tank research. Both organizations co-host events and share academic networks.
• Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on EU reports and progressive governance summits, including the presentation of EU state reports.
• OEI (Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership agreement for public policy collaboration in Iberoamerica, signed by the foundation's vice president and OEI's secretary general.
• SEGIB (Secretaría General Iberoamericana)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint conversations and events on Iberoamerican integration, cooperation, and multilateral challenges.
• YouTube and GoogleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFundación Alternativas organized a colloquium with YouTube (David Weeldon, Director of Government Affairs) and Google, focusing on digital policy and platform governance.
• Universidad de Pensilvania (Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognition in the Global Go-To Think Tank Index published by the University of Pennsylvania's Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program.
• European ParliamentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular presentations of EU State of the Union reports and Iberoamerica-EU reports at the European Parliament in Brussels. Foundation directors present findings to EU parliamentarians.
• Spanish Congress of DeputiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresentations of the Democracy in Spain report and other key documents at the Spanish Congress. Delivery of social rights documents to congressional spokespersons.
• CESEDEN (Centro Superior de Estudios de la Defensa Nacional)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCourses on Africa-EU relations delivered by the foundation's vice president at the Spanish defense studies center.
• Various Chinese institutions (delegations, CICIR, Gorchakov Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple Chinese delegations (Communist Party, CICIR, State Council, Silk Road Forum) have visited the foundation, exploring Spain-China relations, Belt and Road Initiative, and geopolitical analysis.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Club de Madrid: International think tank composed of former heads of state and government focused on democracy and political leadership. Overlapping mandate in democracy-focused research and convening of senior political figures, though more globally scoped.
• Real Instituto Elcano: Spain's leading international affairs and global policy think tank. Directly comparable to Fundación Alternativas as a Spanish policy research institution producing flagship reports on EU, security, and international relations, and an explicit core partner of the foundation.
• CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs): Barcelona-based think tank focused on international affairs, Mediterranean policy, and global governance. Comparable as a Spanish research foundation publishing policy reports, convening events, and co-hosting programs with Fundación Alternativas on EU and Iberoamerican issues.
• Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES): German progressive political foundation linked to social democracy, with global offices publishing policy research and convening debates. Highly comparable as a values-aligned European foundation partner (explicit collaborator) that mirrors the foundation's progressive positioning, report-publishing model, and EU policy focus.
• European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR): Pan-European foreign policy think tank producing policy reports and convening EU-level debate. Comparable as a Europe-wide progressive policy research organization with a similar publication-driven, member-supported model and overlapping topic coverage on EU affairs, democracy, and geopolitics.

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): UK-based global affairs think tank producing flagship reports on international politics, security, and economics. Larger and more globally resourced than the foundation, but operates a comparable policy-research, membership-supported model covering overlapping EU and international affairs topics.
• Brookings Institution: US-based global think tank covering economics, foreign policy, and governance. Comparable as a non-ideologically-partisan policy research institution with flagship annual reports, member events, and convening power — but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: US/global foreign policy think tank with offices worldwide producing policy research on geopolitics, democracy, and international economics. Comparable research and convening model, though at substantially larger scale and with a broader international footprint.

Emerging players

• FRIDE / Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior: Spanish think tank historically focused on EU foreign policy, democracy, and international development. Highly comparable as a smaller Spanish policy research foundation with similar topics and a progressive orientation, though with a more international-development focus.

Regional players

• Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS): German political foundation linked to the CDU/CSU with international offices producing policy research. Comparable as a European political foundation with a similar report-publishing and event-convening model, though ideologically opposed and centered on Germany rather than Spain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/fundacionalt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzD7ZqSQT2Q7eV9dH4eDm7Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/fundacionalternativas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundaci%C3%B3n-alternativas
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundacionalternativas

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Fundación Alternativas