THE CIVICS Innovation Hub

What THE CIVICS Innovation Hub does

THE CIVICS Innovation Hub is a pan-European non-governmental organization (gGmbH) registered in Bonn, Germany, and founded in 2021. The organization supports both citizens and civic educators in addressing contemporary challenges such as threats to democracy, climate change, growing polarisation, and social divides, with the stated goal of strengthening democratic competences, self-efficacy, and resilience across Europe. Its primary customers are civic educators (teachers, youth workers, civil society practitioners) and European citizens, with secondary stakeholders including civic education organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions across 31+ countries.

The organization's core product is the NECE (Networking European Civic Education) platform and methodology, which convenes civic educators through online seminars, in-person thematic labs, and large pan-European festivals. The technology stack is methodology-driven rather than proprietary: an interactive virtual map of civic educators across 31 countries (Mapping Civic Education in Europe), research outputs, policy blueprints, and convening infrastructure. Active programmes include Mapping Civic Education in Europe, NECE, COMPASS Europe (2026-2027), DELMIG (2026-2028), We-ID (Horizon Europe), the European Responsible Leadership Network (ReLEAD), and the Civic Innovation Fund (CIF). Delivery occurs through consortium partnerships in Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, and Romania, with operational Hubs in Bonn, Sofia, and Zagreb.

THE CIVICS operates as a non-profit funded primarily through European Union grant programmes, including the CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) Programme and Horizon Europe, supplemented by the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) and ERSTE Foundation. Revenue is generated through project-specific grants rather than commercial product sales; no commercial pricing tiers apply. The go-to-market approach is community-led, relying on the NECE convening model and consortium-based delivery rather than direct sales or marketing-led acquisition.

Name

THE CIVICS Innovation Hub

Legal name

THE CIVICS Innovation Hub gGmbH

Website

https://thecivics.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

THE CIVICS Innovation Hub is a Bonn-based pan-European civic education NGO that convenes civic educators across 31 countries through the NECE model, online seminars, in-person labs, and festivals, funded primarily by EU grants (CERV, Horizon Europe) and the German Federal Agency for Civic Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Education Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Democracy, Voting Rights & Civic Participation Advocacy (BPAGAFAJ), Civil Society Strengthening & Civic Space (BPADAGAD), Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI)

Keywords

• Civic education programmes
• Democratic competence building
• Civic education mapping
• Pan-European civic research
• Civic educator networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Project-based EU Funding: THE CIVICS operates as a non-profit organization funded primarily through European Union grant programmes including the CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) Programme and Horizon Europe. Additional funding comes from institutional supporters such as ERSTE Foundation and the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb). Revenue is generated through project grants for specific civic education initiatives rather than commercial product sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

THE CIVICS Innovation Hub is a pan-European non-governmental organisation that delivers civic education programmes, mapping and research outputs, and convening events (online seminars, in-person labs, and pan-European festivals) for civic educators, civil society practitioners, and citizens across 31 European countries. Through its NECE (Networking European Civic Education) framework and project portfolio (Mapping Civic Education, COMPASS Europe, DELMIG, We-ID, ReLEAD, and Civic Innovation Fund), it builds networks, produces evidence-based policy outputs, and supports democratic competence-building, with funding drawn from EU grant programmes and institutional foundations.

Product overview

THE CIVICS Innovation Hub operates as a pan-European civic education platform offering multiple interconnected programmes and initiatives. The core offering centres on the Mapping Civic Education in Europe programme, which provides an interactive virtual map of civic educators across 31 countries, complemented by the NECE (Networking European Civic Education) framework featuring online seminars, in-person labs, and pan-European festivals. Additional programmes include the Civic Innovation Fund for piloting and scaling initiatives, ReLEAD for leadership development, and research projects such as We-ID (examining identities, migration, and democracy) and DELMIG (labour migration in CESEE). These offerings collectively form a portfolio of civic education support services encompassing mapping, learning exchange, networking, advocacy, and research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NECE: Networking European Citizenship Education - a platform and model for civic education exchanges and festivals across Europe, financially supported by German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb).
• COMPASS Europe
• We-ID
• ReLEAD
• CIF (Civic Innovation Fund)

Products and services

• Mapping Civic Education in Europe A pan-European mapping programme that creates an interactive virtual map of civic educators across 31 countries, covering both non-formal and informal education, identifying topics, target groups, cooperation networks, and needs. Aimed at civic education researchers, policymakers, and civil society organisations seeking evidence-based visibility into the European civic education ecosystem.
• NECE (Networking European Civic Education) A pan-European civic education initiative that brings together civic educators, policy experts, local actors, and researchers through online seminars, festivals, and thematic labs to explore EU priorities such as security, climate resilience, migration, and democratic governance. Financially supported by the German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb).
• COMPASS Europe Pan-European initiative supporting civic educators (teachers, youth workers, civil society practitioners) to help citizens engage with Europe, featuring online NECE Campus seminars, in-person NECE Labs, and large NECE Festivals. Funded by the EU CERV Programme and implemented with consortium partners across multiple EU countries.
• Civic Innovation Fund (CIF) A funding and support programme that backs innovative civic education initiatives, focusing on piloting, innovation, and scaling of civic education projects across Europe. Targets civic education innovators and practitioners seeking support for early-stage and scaling projects.
• European Responsible Leadership Network (ReLEAD) A learning and exchange programme focused on responsible leadership in civic contexts, bringing together facilitators and practitioners across Europe. Targets civic education facilitators and emerging leaders.
• We-ID (Identities, Migration & Democracy) A Horizon Europe-funded transdisciplinary research project exploring how diverse identities can serve as a foundation for democratic resilience, developing the concept of Resilient Democratic Communities (ReDeCos). Led by the University of Göttingen.
• DELMIG (Labour Migration and Demographic Change) A research initiative examining labour migration and demographic change in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe (CESEE), developing evidence bases and policy blueprints for shaping immigration societies. Coordinated with partners in Croatia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania and co-funded by ERSTE Foundation.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• New Community Foundation (Poland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in COMPASS Europe project. New Community Foundation (NCF) based in Poland is part of the consortium delivering the pan-European civic education initiative, contributing to online seminars, labs, and festivals.
• Sofia Platform Foundation (Bulgaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in COMPASS Europe project. Sofia Platform Foundation contributes expertise in civic education and democratic culture from Bulgaria.
• Znanje na djelu (Croatia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in COMPASS Europe and DELMIG projects. Croatian NGO focused on bringing together education and business worlds for civic engagement.
• ERSTE FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funder and partner of DELMIG (Labour Migration and Demographic Change) project. ERSTE Foundation provides funding and strategic support for research on immigration societies in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe.
• German Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial supporter of NECE (Networking European Civic Education) initiative. The Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung provides ongoing funding and institutional backing for the NECE programme.
• University of GöttingencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead institution of the We-ID project (Horizon Europe funded). University of Göttingen leads the transdisciplinary network exploring how diverse identities can serve as foundation for democratic resilience.
• Power of Humanity Foundation (Hungary)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DELMIG project for Hungary. Contributes to research on labour migration and demographic change in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Alternative Communities Association (Hungary)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DELMIG project for Hungary. Contributes to mapping labour migration dynamics in Hungary.
• ELTE BudapestsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DELMIG project. Country research lead for Hungary, with Dóra Gábriel from ELTE Budapest coordinating research activities.
• Periféria Policy and Research Center (Hungary)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DELMIG project contributing policy research expertise on migration and demographic issues in Hungary.
• University of WarsawsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DELMIG project. Agnieszka Fihel from the Centre of Migration Research leads research activities in Poland.
• Tech and Tonic (Romania)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DELMIG project contributing Romanian perspective on labour migration and demographic change.
• Sophie PornschlegelsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert contributor to COMPASS Europe project. Provides EU-level expertise for civic education and dialogue initiatives.
• Maja NenadovicsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert contributor to COMPASS Europe project. Specialises in dialogue method expertise for civic education.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• European Policy Centre (EPC): Brussels-based think tank producing policy analysis on EU integration, democracy and enlargement. Comparable EU policy adjacency and Brussels convening footprint, though more think-tank oriented than THE CIVICS's practitioner-focused education model.

Direct peers

• European Civic Forum: Pan-European platform convening civil society to defend and promote citizens' rights and democratic engagement. Highly comparable to THE CIVICS in mission, geographic scope and EU-level policy focus, though more rights-and-advocacy oriented than THE CIVICS's civic-education orientation.
• Anna Lindh Foundation: Euro-Mediterranean intergovernmental foundation promoting intercultural dialogue and civic engagement. Comparable convening model, similar EU/foundation funding mix and network-of-networks structure spanning multiple countries.
• European Alternatives: Pan-European civil society organisation promoting transnational citizenship, democracy and participatory governance. Directly comparable in mission, pan-European network structure and engagement of civic actors across EU member states.
• European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA): Europe-wide NGO providing a network for adult and civic education practitioners, with pan-European policy advocacy. Directly comparable in mission to expand civic and adult education, similar EU advocacy and Brussels-based convening.
• Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD): International think tank working on democratic resilience, countering polarisation and disinformation. Comparable thematic focus on democracy defence and a similar mix of research, mapping and convening activities across Europe.
• EuroClio (European Association for History Education): Pan-European association supporting history and citizenship educators across 75+ countries. Comparable network-based delivery model, similar EU funding sources and stakeholder base of teachers and civic educators across Europe.
• MitOst: European network supporting active civil society and cultural engagement, with programmes in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Comparable in network-building methodology and geographic emphasis on CESEE civic actors.

Broad incumbents

• Bertelsmann Stiftung: Large German foundation running extensive civic education, democratic participation and European integration programmes. Comparable in thematic focus and convening capacity, but with materially larger financial and human resources than THE CIVICS.

Regional players

• DemNet – Hungarian Association for Community Development: Hungarian civil society network supporting community development and civic education. Comparable mission and network-building methodology, though geographically focused on Hungary and Central Europe rather than pan-EU.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCVzznyiUanBzrevf6YQ8tBg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-civics-innovation-hub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about THE CIVICS Innovation Hub