NL2120
NL2120 is a Dutch ten-year consortium program (founded 2024, funded by the National Growth Fund) that convenes ~50 organizations to scale Nature-based Solutions across five landscape types for climate adaptation, serving government authorities, knowledge institutions, and nature organizations in the Netherlands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersAmersfoort, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NL2120 does
NL2120 is a ten-year consortium program launched in 2024 and hosted by Stichting Ecoshape (Building with Nature) in Amersfoort, Netherlands. The program is funded by the Dutch National Growth Fund (Nationaal Groeifonds) and brings together approximately 50 organizations across academia (Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, Van Hall Larenstein), research institutes (Deltares, DRIFT), nature organizations (ARK Rewilding Nederland, Natuurmonumenten, WWF Netherlands, SoortenNL), government bodies (Province of Friesland, municipalities of Dordrecht, Rotterdam, Zwolle, Akkrum), water boards (Wetterskip Fryslân, Waterschap Vallei en Veluwe), and engineering firms (Sweco, Boskalis, Haskoning). Its core mission is to scale Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across five Dutch landscape types: coastal, rivers, sandy soils, peat meadows, and urban areas, addressing climate adaptation, water management, biodiversity loss, and nitrogen emissions.
The program's core deliverables include a Knowledge Bank (Kennisbank) of publications and guidelines, a Prioritized NbS Portfolio featuring interventions such as wet cultivation, dynamic sandy coastal protection, multi-channel river concepts, and urban green-blue solutions, and a portfolio of pilot projects including peatland rewetting in Friesland (Hegewarren, Barsbekerbinnenpolder), tidal parks in Dordrecht, and river restoration in Hunze. The consortium developed proprietary methodologies including the Sociaaleconomische Impact Scan (SEIS) for measuring socioeconomic effects of NbS versus traditional grey infrastructure. The program has 35+ PhD researchers conducting NbS research and has produced outcomes including 190+ km of flowering bee buffer strips, 2,100 hectares of new nature, and 160 hectares of rewetted peatland.
NL2120 operates as a nonprofit with no commercial pricing for core knowledge activities. Revenue derives from National Growth Fund grants, with emerging transaction-based income from carbon certificates issued by Stichting Nationale Koolstofmarkt (SNK) for peat rewetting under the 'Valuta voor Veen' program. The go-to-market is consensus-building and knowledge dissemination through annual events (Oogstdag), online masterclasses, field visits for civil servants, and publications targeting Dutch municipalities, provinces, and water boards. The program is directed by Alex Hekman (who also serves as Business Director Water at Sweco) and was awarded the Grote Maaskantprijs 2024 by Gemeente Rotterdam.
NL2120 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NL2120
- Legal name
- Stichting Ecoshape
- Website
- https://nl2120.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- NL2120 is a Dutch ten-year consortium program (founded 2024, funded by the National Growth Fund) that convenes ~50 organizations to scale Nature-based Solutions across five landscape types for climate adaptation, serving government authorities, knowledge institutions, and nature organizations in the Netherlands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NL2120 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Climate Adaptation and Nature-based Solutions Consulting
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPAIAMAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD), Climate Change Mitigation/Adaptation & Natural Resource Management Technical Assistance (BPADAEAJ), Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) / No Net Loss Planning & Metrics (EUAHAHAJ), Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC)
Keywords
Where NL2120 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amersfoort
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
NL2120 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- National Growth Fund (Nationaal Groeifonds) Funding: NL2120 is a ten-year program (starting 2024) financed through the National Growth Fund, a Dutch government funding instrument for knowledge-intensive economic development. The consortium of ~50 organizations receives sustained funding to develop and scale Nature-based Solutions.
- Knowledge Products and Consultancy: The consortium generates value by producing reports, governance frameworks, and knowledge products that influence policy and market adoption of NbS. Organizations like WUR, Deltares, Sweco, and other partners contribute expertise that drives implementation.
- Carbon Credits (Valuta voor Veen): Pilot projects explore revenue through carbon certificates via Stichting Nationale Koolstofmarkt (SNK), where farmers receive compensation for peat rewetting activities that reduce CO2 emissions, creating alternative income streams for agricultural land use changes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Carbon certificates via SNK for peat rewetting |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
NL2120 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NL2120 is a ten-year consortium program (from 2024) that convenes science, business, government, nature organizations, and education to develop and scale Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation in the Netherlands. It delivers a Knowledge Bank (Kennisbank), a prioritized NbS portfolio across five landscape types, pilot projects, and assessment methodologies that help public authorities and partners implement ecological solutions for water, soil, and biodiversity challenges.
Product overview
NL2120 is a consortium program, not a traditional product company. It operates as a collaborative network of nearly 50 organizations (including WUR, Deltares, ARK, IVN, Sweco, and provincial/municipal governments) working to scale Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across the Netherlands. The core offering consists of the NL2120 Consortium Program itself, which coordinates research and implementation, supported by a Knowledge Bank (Kennisbank) containing publications and guidelines, a prioritized NbS Portfolio organized by landscape type, and Pilot Projects demonstrating practical applications in peat, coastal, river, sand, and urban environments. Rather than a unified software platform, NL2120 functions as a knowledge-sharing and coordination infrastructure for ecological innovation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- 35+ PhD researchers conducting NbS research
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use NL2120
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
NL2120 technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
NL2120 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Wageningen University & Research (WUR)coreWUR is a key research partner in the NL2120 consortium, providing scientific expertise on NbS effectiveness, climate adaptation, and ecological systems. WUR developed the original 'Nederland in 2120' vision that inspired the NL2120 program and contributes 13+ PhD researchers to the initiative.
- DeltarescoreDeltares is an independent Dutch research institute specializing in water, subsurface, and infrastructure research. Contributes expertise on hydrology, coastal protection, and climate adaptation through applied research and pilot monitoring.
- SwecocoreSweco is a European engineering and architecture consultancy. Alex Hekman serves as both Director of NL2120 and Business Director Water at Sweco, demonstrating deep integration. Sweco provides engineering expertise for NbS implementation projects.
- ARK Rewilding NederlandcoreARK is a Dutch rewilding organization co-founded in 1989. Provides expertise on large-scale nature restoration, rewilding approaches, and community engagement for NbS projects including delta cities pilot and urban rewilding initiatives.
- NatuurmonumentencoreNatuurmonumenten (Nature Monuments) is one of the largest nature conservation organizations in the Netherlands, managing nature reserves and contributing to peat meadow rewetting projects like the Barsbekerbinnenpolder.
- IVN NatuureducatiecoreIVN is a Dutch nature education organization that contributes to capacity building and youth engagement initiatives within NL2120, including the MDT Buitenkans program for mbo and hbo students.
- EcoshapecoreEcoshape is the organization hosting NL2120, registered as 'Stichting Ecoshape, Building with Nature'. Manages the consortium's legal and administrative operations from the Amersfoort office.
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreIUCN is a global environmental organization providing international credibility and expertise on NbS standards and implementation. Participates in international NbS capacity building workshops including the Kotu Stream Restoration Project in Gambia.
- WWF NetherlandscoreWWF Netherlands contributes to nature restoration projects within the consortium, including coastal and river ecosystem restoration initiatives and the 'Meegroeien' study on sea level rise adaptation.
- SoortenNLminorSoortenNL coordinates species monitoring in the Netherlands, contributing expertise on biodiversity assessment for NL2120 pilot projects including fish population monitoring in tidal nature areas.
- Provincie Fryslân (Province of Friesland)coreThe Province of Friesland participates in NL2120 through its Veenweideprogramma (Peat Meadow Program), supporting pilot projects in the Frisian peat landscape including the Hegewarren pilot area.
- Gemeente DordrechtcoreThe municipality of Dordrecht partners with NL2120 for the tidal park development at the Staart (Wantij area), implementing urban rewilding and tidal nature restoration in the delta cities pilot.
- Gemeente RotterdamcoreRotterdam collaborates with NL2120 on tidal nature projects in the Nieuwe Maas area, monitoring fish populations in newly created tidal habitats as part of the delta cities pilot.
- Wetterskip FryslâncoreWetterskip Fryslân (Water Board Friesland) contributes water management expertise to the Hegewarren pilot project, focusing on hydrology and water system management for rewetted peat landscapes.
- Utrecht UniversityminorUtrecht University contributes academic research expertise to the consortium, supporting knowledge development and analysis on NbS implementation and governance.
- DRIFT (Dutch Research Institute for Transitions)minorDRIFT contributes expertise on sustainability transitions and behavioral change, supporting NL2120's knowledge development and stakeholder engagement approaches.
- Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied SciencesminorContributes to monitoring and research activities in the Hegewarren pilot, providing applied research capacity on peat meadow rewetting effects.
- YuvertaminorYuverta is the largest green education provider in the Netherlands for vmbo and mbo levels. Contributes to capacity building through the 'Blauwe Hotspot voor Water, Bodem en Klimaat' program and student involvement in NbS projects.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
NL2120 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wetlands International: Global NGO focused on wetland conservation and restoration with peatland expertise directly mirroring NL2120's peat meadow rewetting work (70,000 hectares, Valuta voor Veen). Comparable mission, multi-country scope, and nature-based climate solutions approach.
- Rewilding Europe: European rewilding initiative co-founding partner with ARK Rewilding Nederland (a core NL2120 partner). Directly comparable rewilding and nature restoration focus, multi-stakeholder model, and European geographic scope.
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): Global NbS standards body and consortium-like membership organization explicitly partnered with NL2120. IUCN's NbS Standard provides the global reference framework that NL2120 applies nationally — directly comparable mission, multi-stakeholder model, and NbS focus.
- Deltares: Dutch applied research institute specializing in water, subsurface and infrastructure — core NL2120 consortium partner. Comparable applied science-to-policy function on coastal protection, hydrology, and climate adaptation relevant to NbS.
- Wageningen University & Research (WUR): Core NL2120 research partner contributing 35+ PhD researchers and the original 'Nederland in 2120' vision. Comparable applied research function on NbS, climate adaptation, and ecological systems — operating at much larger institutional scale.
Regional players
- European Forest Institute (EFI): European intergovernmental research organization providing science-policy bridge on forests, bioeconomy, and nature-based solutions. Comparable consortium structure, knowledge platform function, and policy influence focus within a European scope.
- Global Center on Adaptation (GCA): International organization accelerating climate adaptation through knowledge, programs, and partnerships. Comparable cross-sector consortium model focused on scaling adaptation solutions with policy influence and international capacity-building.
Broad incumbents
- World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization producing NbS evidence, methodologies, and policy frameworks. WRI's work on natural climate solutions, water, and ecosystem services is directly analogous to NL2120's knowledge-bank and SEIS methodology function.
- Conservation International: Global NGO with explicit focus on Nature-based Solutions for climate, freshwater, and food security. Its multi-stakeholder science-business-government model mirrors NL2120's consortium structure and NbS scaling ambition.
- The Nature Conservancy: Largest global conservation NGO with major NbS programs (coastal resilience, forest restoration, water funds). TNC's operating model — combining science, partnerships, pilot projects, and policy influence — directly parallels NL2120's consortium approach at much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NL2120 social profiles
Digital presenceNL2120 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NL2120 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
NL2120 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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NL2120 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about NL2120
What does NL2120 do?
NL2120 is a ten-year consortium program (from 2024) that convenes science, business, government, nature organizations, and education to develop and scale Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation in the Netherlands. It delivers a Knowledge Bank (Kennisbank), a prioritized NbS portfolio across five landscape types, pilot projects, and assessment methodologies that help public authorities and partners implement ecological solutions for water, soil, and biodiversity challenges.
Is NL2120 a public or private company?
NL2120 is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was NL2120 founded?
NL2120 was founded in 2024. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is NL2120 based?
NL2120 is headquartered in Amersfoort, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does NL2120 make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. National Growth Fund (Nationaal Groeifonds) Funding is the primary driver. The others are knowledge Products and Consultancy and carbon Credits (Valuta voor Veen).
Who are NL2120's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wetlands International, Rewilding Europe, IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), Deltares and Wageningen University & Research (WUR). Regional players are European Forest Institute (EFI) and Global Center on Adaptation (GCA). Broad incumbents are World Resources Institute (WRI), Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy.
Does NL2120 have an API?
No public API is recorded for NL2120.
What industry is NL2120 in?
NL2120's product category is Climate Adaptation and Nature-based Solutions Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIAMAD, Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience Programs, with a secondary code of BPADALAD, Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs. Its NAICS code is 54162 and its SIC code is 8600.