Engineering Without Borders (EWB)

What Engineering Without Borders (EWB) does

Ingeniería Sin Fronteras (ISF) / Engineering Without Borders is a Spanish non-profit federation of 13 territorial associations across Andalucía, Aragón, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Catalunya, Galicia, Illes Balears, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, and País Vasco/Euskadi. The federation is multidisciplinary, non-confessional, and politically independent, staffed by volunteers and paid personnel, and focused on technology for human development. Its work spans water rights, food sovereignty, digital sovereignty, energy transition, and environmental restoration, with active international cooperation programs in Honduras and Mozambique alongside domestic Spanish activities.

ISF's core technology outputs are free/libre software tools rather than commercial products. These include SIROS, a collaborative participatory mapping application for sensitive environmental areas in Honduras co-developed with CartoLab (University of A Coruña) and CODDEFFAGOLF; Revolution Domes, a 2026 free geometry tool for designing dome structures (Zome, Tipi cone, L-Dome) funded by AMTEGA; and use of Iber software for hydrological and hydraulic modeling of seasonal lagoons in Honduras. Surrounding programs include ESF na Universidade (university engagement in Galician universities), ESFPro (professional program for technology for the common good), Hackers Sen Fronteiras (digital rights and hacktivism), ESFRadio (podcast), Mulleres Bravas (women's empowerment in Honduras), PCR (knowledge-exchange immersion program), Repair Cafés (electronics repair and e-waste reduction), and the Boletín Oficial ESFeiro newsletter.

The federation's business model is donations- and grant-driven. There is no commercial pricing; all community programs, workshops, Repair Cafés, university talks, and international cooperation activities are offered free to beneficiaries. Revenue flows from membership contributions (socias/socios) and individual donations on one side, and from public development cooperation grants on the other. Anchor funders include Cooperación Galega (Xunta de Galicia), AECID (Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo), and AMTEGA (Axencia para a Modernización Tecnolóxica de Galicia). Strategic partnerships span CODDEFFAGOLF, Artigo9Tech (Galician university faculty network), CETMAR, DIGEPESCA Honduras, UNAH, CartoLab UDC, IEO-CSIC, ACOWAS, Rede Galega de Sementes, Bricolabs, Mancomun, and Galician communal mountain communities (Montes Veciñais en Man Común).

Name

Engineering Without Borders (EWB)

Legal name

Federación Española de Ingeniería Sin Fronteras

Website

https://isf.es

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ingeniería Sin Fronteras (ISF) is a Spanish non-profit federation of 13 regional associations that delivers technology-for-development international cooperation in Honduras and Mozambique, develops free/libre software tools (SIROS, Revolution Domes, Iber hydrological modeling), and runs university, energy-transition, and community repair programs funded by public grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Development Cooperation Services

NAICS

International Affairs (928120)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Assistance, Policy Lending & Capacity Building Programs (BPADACAN)

Keywords

• International development cooperation
• Technology for human development
• Free libre software tools
• Community water management
• Food sovereignty programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees and Donations: ISF operates as a non-profit federation sustained through membership contributions (socias/socios), individual donations, and volunteer labor. The organization receives no commercial revenue but relies on solidarity contributions from members and supporters.
2. Public Development Funding: International cooperation projects funded by governmental agencies including: Cooperación Galega (Xunta de Galicia), AECID (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation), AMTEGA (Galician Agency for Technological Modernization), and regional government bodies. Projects focus on water rights, food sovereignty, digital sovereignty, and energy transition in Latin America.
3. Educational Programs: ESF na Universidade program financed by Cooperación Galega de la Xunta de Galicia, providing educational activities in universities including talks, workshops, and collaborative projects with faculty and students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ISF is a non-profit federation of 13 Spanish regional associations that delivers international cooperation projects, free/libre software tools (SIROS mapping app, Revolution Domes), and educational/community programs focused on technology for human development. Its core activities span water rights, food sovereignty, digital sovereignty, and energy transition initiatives implemented in vulnerable communities in Honduras and Mozambique, alongside awareness, training, and university engagement activities across Spain.

Product overview

Engineering Without Borders (ISF) is a federation of non-profit associations focused on international cooperation and technology for human development. The organization does not offer a unified commercial software product but runs various programs including ESF na Universidade (university engagement), ESFPro (professional program), and Hackers Sen Fronteiras (digital rights). Key tools include SIROS (participatory mapping application), Revolution Domes (dome geometry calculator), and ESFRadio podcast. The organization also conducts environmental projects like the Winter Lagoon Restoration in Honduras using Iber hydrological modeling software, runs Repair Café events for electronics repair, and publishes the monthly ESFeiro bulletin. ISF operates across 13 regional associations in Spain, with programs focused on water rights, food sovereignty, digital sovereignty, and energy transition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ESF na Universidade: University program involving talks, workshops and academic collaborations in Galician universities
• ESFPro
• Mulleres Bravas
• Hackers Sen Fronteiras
• ESFRadio
• PCR - Programa de Coñecemento Doutras Realidades
• Repair Café
• SIROS
• Rede Artigo9Tech

Products and services

• Revolution Domes (Herramienta libre para diseñar estructuras tipo Domo) Free/libre software tool for calculating the geometry of revolution dome structures (Zome, Tipi cone, L-Dome/Low Dome), enabling users to design dome-type structures easily. Funded by AMTEGA and made available as a free tool.
• SIROS (Aplicación de mapeo participativo) Collaborative environmental mapping application for identifying sensitive environmental areas in Honduras, developed in collaboration with CODDEFFAGOLF and CartoLab (UDC). Available as a free download.

Quantifiable outcome

• Restoration of winter lagoons ecosystem supporting traditional fishing communities in Honduras
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• CODDEFFAGOLF (Comité para la Defensa y Desarrollo de la Flora y Fauna del Golfo de Fonseca)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Primary partner in Honduras for food sovereignty, environmental restoration, and artisanal fishing support programs. Joint initiatives include winter lagoon restoration project, seed selection programs, and community organization. ESF has worked with CODDEFFAGOLF since at least 2010.
• Artigo9Tech (Red Galega de Profesorado Técnico Universitario para Cooperación ao Desenvolvemento)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of Galician university technical faculty supporting development cooperation through research, education, and technology transfer. Collaborates on university programs (ESF na Universidade), TFM supervision, and research projects including hydrological modeling and digital sovereignty studies.
• CETMAR (Centro Tecnológico del Mar)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGalician marine technology center that organized the exchange visit of Honduran delegation to Galicia. Coordinates fishing and mariculture cooperation projects between Galicia and Honduras, including the GUIMATUR project and Ruta do Marisqueo.
• DIGEPESCA Honduras (Dirección General de Pesca y Acuicultura)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonduran government fisheries authority collaborating on artisanal fishing support programs. Representatives participated in exchange visit to Galicia organized by CETMAR with ESF support.
• UNAH Honduras (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational university of Honduras collaborating on environmental research, water quality studies (CADMIO project), and academic exchange programs. Choluteca campus specifically involved in joint initiatives.
• CartoLab (UDC)majorTechnology or IntegrationLaboratory at University of A Coruña specializing in cartography and geographic information systems. Collaborated on the SIROS participatory mapping application for environmental sensitive areas in Honduras, integrating with CODDEFFAGOLF and UNAH.
• ACOWAS (Red Internacional de Gestión Comunitaria del Agua)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network for community water management. ESF Galicia participated in ACOWAS international conference on community water governance, sharing experiences with other member organizations.
• Rede Galega de SementesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGalician Network of Seeds working on preservation and promotion of native and local seed varieties. Collaboration supports food sovereignty programs in Honduras through seed selection initiatives.
• CISPAC (Instituto de Estudos e Desenvolvemento de Galicia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGalician Institute for Development Studies collaborating on living laboratory initiatives for sustainable relationship between villages, cultivation, and mountain areas.
• Ecolectivo VigominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal eco-collective in Vigo engaged in community mapping studies and environmental initiatives. ESF shared community mapping study results with the collective.
• BricolabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGalician maker/hacker space collaborating on Repair Café events and ethical electronics initiatives, including collaboration with the Banco de Ética Digital at UDC Campus Elviña.
• Domus da CoruñaminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity center in A Coruña that hosted Repair Café events in collaboration with ESF Galicia and the Ethical Electronics Bank of UDC Campus.
• La Tejedora Mercao Social de CórdobaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial economy organization in Córdoba that serves as ISF Andalucía's local office and collaborative space for social economy initiatives.
• IES de NavaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecondary school in Asturias where ISF Asturias promoted repair events and where the teacher won the 2026 Galician Award for Development Education.
• AHJASAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working on water access projects in developing countries. Collaborated with ESF on designing new projects addressing water access challenges left by hurricanes Eta and Iota in Honduras.
• CEXEF UDC (Centro externo de estudos e formación da UDC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal studies and training center of University of A Coruña providing support on gender-labeled budgets and women's empowerment programs in Honduras municipalities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Engineers Without Borders USA: U.S. EWB affiliate running community development engineering projects internationally. Closest country-level peer outside Spain with same federation-of-engineers-for-development model.
• WaterAid: International NGO focused on water access and sanitation in developing countries. Directly comparable to ISF's water-rights and Honduras hydrological modeling work.
• Practical Action: International NGO using technology to tackle poverty in developing countries (food sovereignty, water, energy). Comparable mission and program mix to ISF's water/food/digital sovereignty work.
• ONGAWA: Spanish NGO ('Ingeniería para la Cooperación') applying technology to human development in Latin America and Africa. Closest functional mirror to ISF in Spain — same engineering-for-development mandate and Spanish institutional donor base.
• Manos Unidas: Spanish Catholic development NGO funding development projects in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Comparable Spanish NGO sector peer drawing on similar Spanish donor ecosystem.
• Engineers Without Borders UK: UK affiliate of the EWB movement. Comparable mission, volunteer-and-student-driven delivery, and education program design.
• Engineers Without Borders International: Umbrella network of national EWB organizations; ISF is functionally a direct country-level member. Same engineering-for-development identity, same international cooperation posture.
• HEGOA: Basque Institute of development studies and humanitarian action, part of the University of the Basque Country. Comparable academic-NGO hybrid focused on development education and research in Spain.

Broad incumbents

• Oxfam Intermón: Large Spanish affiliate of Oxfam International operating across humanitarian, development, and advocacy. Much larger scale but same Spanish donor ecosystem and overlapping thematic focus on inequality, water, and food systems.
• Cruz Roja Española: Spanish Red Cross — large incumbent humanitarian organization with nationwide territorial presence. Comparable federated Spanish structure and donor base, though much broader scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/federacionISF
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/multimediaISF
• Facebookfacebook.com/ingenieriasinfronteras
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ingenieria-sin-fronteras
• Instagraminstagram.com/federacionISF

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries12 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 Engineering Without Borders (EWB)