AlterContacts

What AlterContacts does

AlterContacts is a Netherlands-based non-profit Think Tank for Sustainable Development, founded in 2019 and headquartered at the Humanity Hub in The Hague. The organization operates under a Dutch general partnership (VOF) structure and was granted Special Consultative Status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in December 2022. It is co-led by Massimo Mercuri (Chairman) and Julia K. Skupchenko (Head of SDG Partnerships) and operates a network of 300+ experts across 42 countries, with 340 mobilized volunteers and partnerships with 52 universities since founding.

The organization's core offerings are methodology-driven rather than technology-platform-driven. Its central capability is the SDG Action Partnerships methodology — recognized by the United Nations as SDG Good Practice — which supports the design and delivery of seven registered SDG Acceleration Actions including Lockdown Economy (2020), mOther Earth (2022-2023), Towards Circular (2024), Young System Thinkers, Sustainable Makeover, and the Encyclopedia on Sustainable Living. It also operates the Academy for Sustainable Development, which delivers curricula to 37 active higher and vocational education institutions, and runs corporate sustainability training workshops covering SDG, ESG, EU Taxonomy, Science Based Targets, and circular economy topics. No proprietary software platform, AI/ML model, or app-based product is referenced in available materials.

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) EU ERASMUS+ grant funding, where AlterContacts participates as a contributing partner or Work Package leader on six projects (PREVIEW, AI4VET4AI, CIRCU-TECH, SEA, GreenScope, BlueGOV); (2) corporate sustainability training workshops sold on a quote basis in English, Spanish, and Italian, with profits funding non-profit SDG projects; and (3) university course delivery (e.g., Social Entrepreneurship at University of Amsterdam, masterclasses at Epoka, Leiden, Aeres, and CETT Barcelona). Go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, leveraging UN and EU multilateral events, ERASMUS+ consortium participation, and direct engagement with policymakers and university rectors rather than commercial sales channels.

Name

AlterContacts

Legal name

AlterContacts

Website

https://altercontacts.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AlterContacts is a Netherlands-based non-profit Think Tank for Sustainable Development (founded 2019, The Hague) that designs SDG methodologies, university curricula, and corporate training, serving universities, governments, and SMEs across 42 countries via EU grants and UN-recognized partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

The Hague

HQ country

Netherlands

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. EU ERASMUS+ Grant Funding: AlterContacts participates as a contributing partner in multiple ERASMUS+ grant projects (KA220-VET, CoVE). As of 2025, they are a Work Package leader on three new ERASMUS+ projects: SEA, GreenScope, and BlueGOV. They are also a contributing partner on six ERASMUS+ grant projects total. Grant projects fund research, training module development, and dissemination activities.
2. Corporate Sustainability Training & Workshops: Tailored sustainability training workshops delivered to corporations. Topics include SDG, ESG, circular economy, EU Taxonomy, Science Based Targets, greenwashing, carbon footprint, and green energy. Training is available online, onsite, or hybrid, in English, Spanish, and Italian. All profit from services funds non-profit SDG Partnership projects.
3. University Course Delivery: AlterContacts delivers academic courses on social entrepreneurship at universities. Examples include: Social Entrepreneurship course at Amsterdam Business School, University of Amsterdam (100+ students); masterclasses at Epoka University, Aeres University, Leiden University, and others. Revenue derived from academic collaboration agreements.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AlterContacts is a Think Tank for Sustainable Development that delivers sustainability training, educational curricula, and field research to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It operates through EU grant-funded ERASMUS+ projects, UN-registered SDG Action Partnerships, and tailored corporate sustainability workshops, while producing policy reports referenced by the UN Secretary-General and the European Commission. The organization bridges academia, civil society, SMEs, and governments through a network of 300+ experts across 42 countries.

Product overview

AlterContacts is a Think Tank for Sustainable Development that offers a portfolio of interconnected programs and initiatives rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include the Academy for Sustainable Development (providing educational curricula and training programs), the Young System Thinkers program for youth professional development, and several UN-registered SDG Action Partnerships including Lockdown Economy, mOther Earth, Towards Circular, and Sustainable Makeover. The organization also delivers Sustainability Training Workshops for companies and partners with universities across the EU on Erasmus+ funded projects (PREVIEW, AI4VET4AI, CIRCU-TECH, GreenScope, BlueGOV, SEA). All programs focus on sustainable development, entrepreneurship education, circular economy, and social impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Academy for Sustainable Development: Educational programs developing innovative curricula for higher and vocational education institutions to support sustainable socio-economic development
• Lockdown Economy
• mOther Earth
• Young System Thinkers
• Towards Circular
• Kilometro Circular / Blue KmC² Living Labs
• Sustainable Makeover
• Encyclopedia on Sustainable Living

Products and services

• Academy for Sustainable Development UN-registered SDG Partnership that develops innovative curricula and training programs for higher and vocational education institutions to bridge academic learning with civil society and SMEs, promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
• Lockdown Economy Challenge Remote cross-university educational program that enables students to engage in social impact innovation while providing hands-on experience with sustainable entrepreneurship during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Sustainable Actions Design and Delivery Capacity-building program that equips civil society organizations with innovative concepts and proven best practices in sustainable development and social impact.
• Green Tourism, Sustainable Management and Green Certification Six-module, 40-hour training course on sustainable tourism management and green certification designed for tourism SMEs, consultants, and certification professionals.
• Advanced Blue and Circular Economy Program Educational program delivered through the Blue KmC² Living Labs network, equipping students and professionals with knowledge and skills for sustainable development in blue and circular economy sectors.
• Sustainability Training Workshops Expert-led training workshops on sustainability topics including circular economy, SDG, ESG, green certification, and sustainable business practices, delivered online, onsite, or in hybrid formats in English, Spanish, and Italian.
• Young System Thinkers Collaborative UN-registered program for young graduates that equips them with systemic approaches to goal setting, problem-solving, and solution design for success in the professional world.
• mOther Earth International UN-registered SDG Acceleration Action focused on reviving rural areas by mobilizing local youth and contributing to green, digital, and resilient economic recovery.
• Lockdown Economy Global grassroots initiative launched in May 2020 to help small businesses and self-employed professionals overcome pandemic challenges and reactivate the economy through video-interviews and knowledge exchange.
• Encyclopedia on Sustainable Living Ongoing initiative registered as a UN SDG Acceleration Action, compiling practical guidance on sustainable living practices from certified experts worldwide.
• Towards Circular SDG Action Partnership promoting the just transition to circular economy by enabling communities to achieve economic self-sufficiency through education on circular and regenerative practices.
• Sustainable Makeover Initiative helping girls and young women amplify their talents and gain confidence to become leaders of sustainable change, registered with the UN SDG partnerships system.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 SDG Acceleration Actions officially registered with the United Nations
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the Virtual Side Event 'Circular Economy for SDGs' at UN ECOSOC Partnership Forum 2024 with 150+ participants from 40+ countries. Also co-hosted Round Table on Urban Entrepreneurship at 2023 HLPF SDGs Learning, Training & Practice with UNITAR. Joint written consultations and stakeholder engagement for SDG implementation.
• European Commission / Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlterContacts presents findings to EC officials at events like LevelUP at European Parliament (2022). Included as expert on rural youth policy on stakeholder lists. EU Fellowship awarded for female entrepreneurship through mOther Earth. EC President received presentation of Lockdown Economy at Charlemagne Youth Prize ceremony.
• European Commission / ERASMUS+ ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing partner on six ERASMUS+ grant projects. As of 2025, Work Package leader on three new projects: SEA (Sustainable Ecotourism Awareness, KA220-VET 2025-2028), GreenScope (environmental monitoring with EO/LiDAR, 2025-2028), and BlueGOV (ocean literacy in coastal governance, 2026-2028). Previous: PREVIEW (KA220, 2022-2025), AI4VET4AI (CoVE, 2023-2027), CIRCU-TECH (KA220-VET, 2024-2027).
• Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor Dr. Pedro Fernandez Carrasco leads Kilometro Circular - Blue KmC² Living Labs Network with AlterContacts. UPM leads the CIRCU-TECH project consortium. Joint development of 'Blue and Circular Economy' educational program. Research partnership on coastal areas of Greece, Italy, and Spain. Joint UN side events organized.
• UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThink Tank AlterContacts was invited by UNITAR to host a training session on Urban Entrepreneurship during the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2023.
• Government of Galicia / AGADER (Spain)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnermOther Earth fieldwork conducted in Galicia region (October 2022). Catalog of 26 projects prepared for rural socio-economic restoration. Initial contact established with 17 regional governments and the Ministry of Social Rights. Event designed with local school CEIP Plurilingüe de Silleda (260 children participated).
• Government of Colombia / Procuradoria General de la NaciónflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlterContacts delivered high-level design of Citizen Innovation Lab, systemic plan for public engagement, and project plan for Colombia's justice system. By request of governmental agency, designed large-scale program for building Citizen Innovation Lab (2021).
• European ParliamentflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLockdown Economy video published on European Parliament site. mOther Earth presented at LevelUP event (October 2022) at European Parliament, Brussels. European Charlemagne Youth Prize ceremony held at European Parliament. AlterContacts findings on rural development presented to Permanent Representation of Spain.
• United Nations Volunteer ProgrammecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlterContacts mobilizes volunteers through the UN Volunteer programme. 20 online UN Volunteers supported Towards Circular research (2023-2024). The ability to mobilize hundreds of volunteers within a week is cited as a key differentiator.
• SDSN (Sustainable Development Solutions Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLockdown Economy Challenge featured as SDSN case study for Accelerating Education for the SDGs in Universities. AlterContacts' educational program is referenced in SDSN publications on education for sustainable development.
• Suor Orsola Benincasa University (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder Massimo Mercuri delivered masterclass on EU-funded projects as part of Level II Master's Degree 'Expert in Europroject Planning' in collaboration with CNR (October 2024).
• Rural Pact Support Office (EU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlterContacts participated in European Rural Pact - Good Practice webinar on Rural Housing (February 2025), presenting mOther Earth as an example of housing renovation and revitalisation. Ongoing exchange on knowledge-sharing and event dissemination.
• Consorcio Zona Franca de Vigo (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnermOther Earth initiative presented to the Vigo Free Trade Consortium representatives (October 2022) as part of rural development outreach in Galicia.
• CECAR - Corporación Universitarias del Caribe (Colombia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlterContacts experts presented at Jornada de Investigación organized by CECAR (November 2021). Dr. Lucimio Jiménez Paternina leads Familias Emprendedoras initiative with AlterContacts. Masterclasses delivered to MBA students.
• CIRCU-TECH Project Consortium PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerERASMUS+ KA220-VET project (2024-2027) led by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Consortium includes: SGS TECNOS SA (Spain, certification/training), APA - Associação Portuguesa de Aquacultores (Portugal, aquaculture association), Associazione Piscicoltori Italiani (Italy, fish farmers), M.A.R.E. SOC. COOP. A R.L. (Italy, fisheries research), Ole Digital Solutions S.L. (Spain, digital solutions), On Projects Advising SL (Spain, project advising). Kickoff meeting January 2025 in Madrid; interim meeting March 2026 in Verona, Italy.
• GuestItaly (Italy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable Ecotourism Awareness project meeting hosted by GuestItaly in Naples, Italy (May 2026). GuestItaly serves as local partner for SEA project activities in Italy.
• Humanity Hub (The Hague)minorOthersPhysical co-location partner in The Hague. Humanity Hub houses UN agencies, Ministry for the Rights of Children, and prominent foundations and NGOs — neighbors that facilitate AlterContacts' cross-sector collaboration.
• Aegean College (Greece)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing cooperation since February 2024. Masterclass on Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation delivered May 2024. Conference 'Ecological Crisis & Economic Impact' hosted at Acropolis Museum, Athens (November 2024) with AlterContacts presenting findings.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Earth Charter Initiative: International sustainability network producing educational materials and convening multi-stakeholder partnerships for sustainable development. Comparable UN-registered partnership model and education-focused mission.
• Sustainia: Sustainability think tank producing research, publications, and training on sustainable development and ESG. Similar advisory, publication, and convening model as AlterContacts, with comparable focus on European sustainability narratives.
• Forum for the Future: International sustainability non-profit working with businesses, governments, and NGOs on systems change for the SDGs. Closely comparable mission, training program portfolio, and partner-based GTM model.

Broad incumbents

• Climate-KIC: EU-backed knowledge and innovation community focused on climate innovation through education, entrepreneurship, and systems change. Similar ERASMUS/EU funding model, university partnership structure, and sustainability training focus as AlterContacts.
• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility): Global non-profit consultancy advising corporations on sustainability strategy, ESG, and human rights. Overlaps with AlterContacts' corporate training workshop offerings and UN/policy engagement model, though at larger scale.
• UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research): UN training and research arm that AlterContacts has directly co-hosted sessions with. Comparable focus on capacity building, policy training, and SDG-related curricula for governments and institutions.
• SDSN (Sustainable Development Solutions Network): UN-affiliated network driving SDG implementation through research, education, and policy. AlterContacts' Lockdown Economy Challenge is featured as an SDSN case study; both organizations operate at the UN/academia/policy interface on SDG acceleration.

Regional players

• European Policy Centre: Brussels-based think tank producing EU policy analysis and convening stakeholders on sustainability, migration, and economic issues. Comparable EU policy engagement and Brussels-level convening, though broader policy scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/altercontacts
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlterContacts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/altercontacts
• Instagraminstagram.com/altercontacts

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 AlterContacts