German Federal Association for Sustainability

What German Federal Association for Sustainability does

Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. (German Federal Association for Sustainability), founded in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin, is a registered nonprofit association (eingetragener Verein) that operates as a strategic partner to policymakers, public administration, and businesses on sustainability transformation at the intersection of ecological, social, and economic systems. The organization employs 14 people and describes its core method as 'orchestrating complex interdependencies' across politics, administration, business, education, and civil society — a systems-thinking approach transferred from space technologies to terrestrial sustainability applications. Its core service offerings are divided into consulting/strategic advisory (circular economy Beratung), applied research and publications, and education for sustainable development (BNE), delivered through a portfolio that includes the ANAKO continuing education platform, PIQUALI Circular Skills Lab, supplementary vocational qualifications in biochar and urban permaculture, Erasmus+ VET mobility programs, and the Carls Zukunft podcast.

The organization's revenue model is a hybrid typical of German civic associations: it derives income from EU-funded project grants (most notably a record EUR 2.17M Erasmus+ VET grant from the National Agency at BIBB in 2025), professional consulting fees for sustainability transformation engagements with public and corporate clients, education and training program fees (PIQUALI, ANAKO), and association membership dues. Distribution is achieved through direct strategic consulting, education program delivery via institutional partners, and participation in international project consortia spanning Germany, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. Technology plays a supporting role — AI-based precision farming for industrial hemp, blockchain supply chain transparency, and bio-based material innovation (Hempcrete, bioplastics) — but these capabilities are embedded in consortium partnerships rather than developed as proprietary products. The organization holds no patents and operates no software platform, positioning itself as a coordination, knowledge, and education layer rather than a product company.

Name

German Federal Association for Sustainability

Legal name

Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V.

Website

https://nachhaltigkeit.bvng.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V. is a Berlin-based nonprofit association (founded 2013) that acts as a strategic partner to policymakers, public administration, and businesses on sustainability transformation, delivering consulting, applied research, and education programs across Germany, Europe, and Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Consulting and Education Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB), Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPAIAMAD)

Keywords

• Sustainability consulting
• Circular economy advisory
• Vocational education training
• Applied sustainability research
• Education for sustainable development

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

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. Project Funding & Grants: EU-funded programs including Erasmus+ mobilities in vocational education and training, and international development initiatives like SEADE program for West African partnerships.
2. Consulting Services: Strategic consulting for sustainability transformation, circular economy Beratung (consultancy), and system transformation advisory services for policy makers, public administration and businesses.
3. Education & Training Programs: Vocational education and training (BBiNE), professional upskilling programs like PIQUALI Circular Skills Lab, and educational formats including ANAKO community platform for sustainability education.
4. Membership & Association Fees: Membership organization (e.V. - registered association) with members contributing to civil society work focused on dialogue, culture and future-oriented sustainability questions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The German Federal Association for Sustainability (Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V.) is a registered non-profit association that delivers strategic consulting, applied research, and education for sustainable development to policymakers, public administration, businesses, and educational institutions. Its core services include circular economy consulting, applied sustainability research, vocational supplementary qualifications (biochar, urban permaculture), continuing education platforms (ANAKO, PIQUALI Circular Skills Lab), and EU-funded Erasmus+ VET mobility programs.

Product overview

The German Federal Association for Sustainability (Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit e.V.) is a civil society organization offering strategic consulting, applied research, and education for sustainable development rather than a traditional software product company. Its core offerings include circular economy consultancy and research services for policy makers, public administration, and businesses, supplemented by educational products such as ANAKO (continuing education in sustainability), PIQUALI Circular Skills Lab (circular economy upskilling), vocational supplementary qualifications in biochar and urban permaculture, Erasmus+ VET mobility programs, ESD education materials, and a podcast series. The portfolio collectively addresses transformation at the intersection of ecology, economy, and society.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Circular Economy Consultancy (Beratung) Strategic consulting services for policy makers, public administration, and businesses at the intersection of ecological, social, and economic development, with a focus on circular economy, transformation processes, and system-level change.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record Erasmus+ funding of 2,167,566.14 EUR secured for VET mobilities in 2025
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Makerere UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026Host institution for Point Sud Workshop 'Green and Digital Futures: Rethinking the Twin Transition in Africa in an Era of Multiple Crises' taking place from May 18-22, 2026 in Kampala, Uganda.
• Linnaeus Innovation Forum 2026supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 February 2026Support for LIF2026 as a platform for exchange at the intersection of research, technology, business and sustainability, bringing together stakeholders from different sectors.
• Linnaeus Kompetenzzentrum Hanf gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025Consortium partner in innovative sustainability projects formed together with African Golden Food Ltd. (Ghana) and Revita Hanfkontor GmbH, focused on food security, ecological restoration and industrial hemp applications.
• Revita Hanfkontor GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025Consortium partner in innovative sustainability projects focused on food security, ecological restoration and industrial hemp applications in partnership with African Golden Food Ltd. (Ghana) and Linnaeus Kompetenzzentrum Hanf gGmbH.
• African Golden Food Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2025Partnership with African Golden Food Ltd. (Nigeria) as part of the EU-funded SEADE program - Strengthening Entrepreneurial Activities for a Digital Europe. Collaboration combines industrial hemp and AI expertise with African entrepreneurial initiatives for sustainable development in West Africa, focusing on food security, ecological restoration and economic resilience.
• ENRICH in AfricasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram supporter and funding intermediary for SEADE program partnership with African Golden Food Ltd., supporting AI and industrial hemp initiatives for sustainable development in West Africa.
• Point SudsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational workshop organizer for Point Sud Workshop series on sustainability and digital transformation in Africa, with Dr. Cosmas Lambini representing the organization.
• Fundação Cidade de AmmaiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Erasmus+ project PREP-CIRC (Preparing for Resilient VET Skills), with archaeological site in Portugal serving as a platform for discussing circular economy through historical perspective.
• BIBB (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Agency at BIBB providing Erasmus+ funding for vocational education and training mobilities, awarding record grant of 2,167,566.14 EUR in 2025.
• German Sustainability Prize (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTarik Mustafa, former President, appointed to the jury of this prestigious European award for sustainable business, demonstrating recognition of organization's leadership in sustainability transformation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Germanwatch: Bonn-based environmental and development policy organization advocating on climate, sustainability, and global justice. Comparable as a German civil-society advocacy organization producing studies, policy frameworks, and education programs.
• adelphi: Berlin-based independent think tank and consultancy working on climate, environment, and sustainable development policy. Directly comparable on circular economy Beratung, sustainability policy advisory, and applied research offerings for German and European public-sector clients.
• Circle Economy: Amsterdam-based impact organization specializing in circular economy advisory, data, and skills training. Directly comparable on the PIQUALI Circular Skills Lab and circular-economy Beratung offerings, and on producing frameworks for policy and business audiences.
• Wuppertal Institute: German research institute focused on sustainability, climate, and resource efficiency with applied research and policy advisory for governments. Highly comparable on applied research outputs, transition consulting, and circular economy thought leadership.
• Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS): Potsdam-based research institute (formerly IASS) producing transdisciplinary sustainability research and advising on climate, energy, and governance policy. Comparable on applied sustainability research, policy advisory, and education for sustainable development.

Broad incumbents

• IUCN: International union for conservation of nature with global membership association structure and nature-based solutions portfolio. Comparable on international sustainability membership model and integration of biodiversity with social-sustainability programming (relevant to the org's SAPA Sierra Leone work).
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Global foundation advancing the circular economy transition through publications, education programs, and business-network convening. Comparable on circular-economy thought leadership, educational content, and convening of public and private stakeholders.
• Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU): Largest German nature and biodiversity conservation association. Comparable on environmental association structure, civil-society membership model, and nature-based solutions advocacy, but operates at much greater scale and is more conservation-specialist.
• BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany): Major German environmental and consumer protection association with advocacy, education, and project work on sustainability. Comparable membership-association structure and cross-topic sustainability agenda.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ): German federal development agency implementing sustainability, climate, and vocational training programs across developing countries. Highly comparable to Bundesvereinigung Nachhaltigkeit on the international-development and VET-skills dimensions, but operates at vastly larger scale and as a state-owned entity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/german-federal-association-for-sustainability

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about German Federal Association for Sustainability