Tmg Think Tank For Sustainability

What Tmg Think Tank For Sustainability does

TMG Think Tank for Sustainability is a Berlin-based transdisciplinary research and policy organization that applies science-based analysis to land governance, food systems, and climate adaptation. Founded by Klaus Töpfer and led by Managing Director Alexander Müller, the organization operates through two legally separate entities: TMG Research gGmbH (a non-profit recognized by Berlin tax authorities in 2017) and TMG - Töpfer, Müller, Gaßner GmbH (a private consultancy). TMG's work spans five thematic research programmes — Food Systems, Land Governance, True Cost Accounting, Adaptation, and Urban Food Futures — supported by project-level initiatives such as PLAN'EAT, FIREFLIES, and TASTE. Active project work spans at least 11 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, and South America, including Benin, Madagascar, Niger, Mali, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka.

TMG produces two notable digital tools alongside its research outputs: the Haki Ardhi land rights reporting tool, a community-based application for recording land rights violations and enabling accountability in carbon markets; and the Kenya Agroecology Actor Dashboard, an interactive platform co-developed with CIFOR-ICRAF and GIZ that maps agroecology actors across all 47 Kenyan counties for real-time monitoring of the National Agroecology Strategy. The organization also convenes the Women's Land Rights Initiative with Robert Bosch Stiftung, Huairou Commission, and the UNCCD/UNCBD/UNFCCC secretariats, anchoring a 60+ partner network across the Rio Conventions. Its content distribution relies on peer-reviewed policy briefs, technical reports, conference side events at COP and UNCCD CRIC, and an extensive institutional network membership base (GLF, 4per1000, CLEAR, ECOBARI, FEBA, SDG Land Momentum Group, and others).

TMG operates as a non-profit think tank funded by project-based grants from government development agencies (notably Germany's BMZ), foundations (Robert Bosch Stiftung, Ford Foundation, European Climate Foundation), and international organizations (FAO, GIZ). Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the organization sells no commercial products; activities are funded through research grants, project-based institutional support, and convening partnerships. Customer segments are governments and policymakers (national and international), UN agencies and international organizations, and civil society and grassroots organizations, with all engagement structured as commissioned research, policy advisory, or coalition co-design rather than fee-for-service transactions.

Name

Tmg Think Tank For Sustainability

Legal name

TMG Research gGmbH

Website

https://tmg-thinktank.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TMG Think Tank for Sustainability is a Berlin-based non-profit research organization conducting applied research and policy advisory on land governance, food systems, and climate adaptation for governments, UN agencies, and civil society across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Research and Sustainability Think Tank Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems & Land Management (BPADALAG), Climate Risk Reporting & Disclosure Analytics (TCFD/ISSB, EU Taxonomy, CSRD, NAIC) (EUABALAG), Climate Target-Setting, Transition Planning & Performance Management Platforms (EUABAEAF)

Keywords

• Sustainability research
• Policy advisory services
• Land governance research
• Food systems transformation
• Climate adaptation programs

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Project Funding: TMG Research gGmbH operates as a non-profit recognized by Berlin tax authorities (decision 22 May 2017) for the promotion of science and research. It conducts research projects and participates in research projects of other non-profit bodies. Funding is received from government development cooperation agencies (e.g., Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), foundations (e.g., Robert Bosch Stiftung), and international organisations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

TMG Think Tank for Sustainability conducts applied research, generates policy briefs and reports, provides policy advisory to governments and international organisations, and convenes stakeholders around land governance, food systems transformation, true cost accounting, climate adaptation, and urban food futures. It operates across five thematic research programmes plus named projects (e.g., PLAN'EAT, FIREFLIES, TASTE, Women's Land Rights Initiative, Carbon Markets and Community Land Rights) and develops digital tools such as the Haki Ardhi land rights reporting tool and the Kenya Agroecology Actor Dashboard.

Product overview

TMG Think Tank for Sustainability operates as a transdisciplinary research organization rather than a software product company. Its offerings consist of five thematic research programmes (Food Systems, Land Governance, True Cost Accounting, Adaptation, Urban Food Futures), multiple project initiatives (including PLAN'EAT, FIREFLIES, TASTE, Women's Land Rights Initiative, and Carbon Markets and Community Land Rights), and research tools such as the Kenya Agroecology Actor Dashboard and Haki Ardhi land rights reporting tool. The organization bridges local innovations and global agendas through research, policy advisory, advocacy, and practical implementation to advance equitable, resilient, and sustainable futures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Systems Programme A thematic research programme focused on sustainable food system transformation, including school meal programmes, agroecology, and responses to food price crises.
• Land Governance Programme A thematic research programme addressing land tenure, land rights, carbon markets and community land rights, and just transitions in land governance.
• True Cost Accounting Programme A thematic research programme examining the true cost of food production and promoting true cost accounting methodologies in sustainable food systems.
• Adaptation Programme A thematic research programme focused on climate adaptation strategies and implications of warming scenarios.
• Urban Food Futures Programme A thematic research programme exploring urban food systems transformation and future food environments.
• Kenya Agroecology Actor Dashboard An interactive platform developed by TMG Research in partnership with CIFOR-ICRAF and GIZ to map, connect, and amplify agroecology actors across Kenya's 47 counties, enabling real-time monitoring of the National Agroecology Strategy implementation.
• Haki Ardhi Land Rights Reporting Tool A digital community-based tool to record land rights violations and hold carbon market investors accountable, enhancing local legal redress mechanisms and government accountability.
• PLAN'EAT A True Cost Accounting project focused on sustainable food system transformation.
• FIREFLIES A True Cost Accounting project exploring sustainable food system accounting.
• TASTE - True Cost Accounting for Sustainable Food Environments A True Cost Accounting project focused on sustainable food environments.
• Women's Land Rights Initiative A network initiative launched in 2023, hosted by TMG Research, Robert Bosch Stiftung, and Huairou Commission, dedicated to anchoring women's land rights within the Rio Conventions through a network of over 60 partners.
• Carbon Markets and Community Land Rights Initiative An initiative examining the intersection of carbon markets, land governance, and community rights.

Quantifiable outcome

• Women's Land Rights Initiative convenes 60+ partners across the full political spectrum from grassroots to international policy level
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO collaborates with TMG on a GEF-funded project embedding tenure security and gender equality into sustainable land management across Kyrgyzstan, Paraguay, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka. TMG is an executing partner alongside Landesa and ILC. FAO also co-organised the 'Land, Rights, and Justice: Advancing Human Rights-Based Land Governance' workshop in Nairobi.
• Huairou CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuairou Commission is a grassroots organisation that co-hosts the Women's Land Rights Initiative alongside TMG Research and Robert Bosch Stiftung. The Initiative is also co-hosted by the secretariats of UNCCD, UNCBD, and UNFCCC, and spans 60+ partners from grassroots movements to international policy stakeholders.
• GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ partners with TMG on the Kenya Agroecology Actor Dashboard (jointly developed with CIFOR-ICRAF) and on integrating land tenure indicators into UNCCD reporting (WE4R Project). GIZ staff (Judith Rosendahl) are contributors to TMG blog content on gender action plans.
• CIFOR-ICRAFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIFOR-ICRAF co-developed the Kenya Agroecology Actor Dashboard with TMG Research and GIZ. TMG is a member of the Coalition for Landscape-based Engagement, Adaptation and Resilience (CLEAR) coordinated by CIFOR-ICRAF.
• LandesacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandesa is a partner in the GEF-funded FAO project alongside TMG and ILC, focused on embedding tenure security and gender equality into sustainable land management across four countries.
• International Land Coalition (ILC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILC is a partner in the GEF-funded FAO project alongside TMG and Landesa. TMG is also a member of the SDG Land Momentum Group coordinated by ILC.
• Land MatrixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand Matrix co-authored the 'Net Zero and Land Rights' report (2025) with TMG and multiple partners. It co-hosted a World Bank Land Conference event with TMG on reducing risks in land-intensive climate mitigation investments.
• World Resources Institute (WRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRI partnered with TMG on the World Bank Land Conference event 'Land rights data to drive just transitions' exploring integration of land tenure rights into climate policies and digital participatory mapping tools.
• UNCCD, UNCBD, UNFCCC SecretariatsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe secretariats of all three Rio Conventions co-host the Women's Land Rights Initiative alongside TMG Research, Robert Bosch Stiftung, and Huairou Commission. This is the most strategically significant partnership tier for anchoring land rights across global environmental policy.
• NamaticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNamati co-organised the 'Putting Land Rights at the Center of Climate Action' webinar alongside TMG and Ford Foundation, focused on Indigenous-led climate solutions and tenure rights.
• Ford FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFord Foundation co-organised the 'Putting Land Rights at the Center of Climate Action' webinar alongside TMG and Namati. Rebeca Sandoval of Ford Foundation moderated the session featuring Indigenous leaders and land defenders.
• International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIISD partnered with TMG Research and Robert Bosch Stiftung for the 'Securing Land Rights and Social Equity in Pursuit of Net Zero' webinar/dialogue ahead of Africa Climate Week and COP30, addressing land-based carbon removal and climate finance.
• Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIK is a co-author of the 'Net Zero and Land Rights' report (2025) and co-organiser of the 'What If We Overshoot 1.5°C?' dialogue alongside TMG Research and European Climate Foundation.
• Land Portal FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of the ICARRD+20 panel 'Making Land Data Work for People and Policy' with TMG, focused on inclusive and equitable land data to protect rights and strengthen democratic governance.
• Global Alliance for the Future of FoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of the ICARRD+20 panel on women's land rights as a lever across agendas, alongside Huairou Commission, BMZ, UNCCD, and Corporación Universitaria Rafael Núñez.
• Helmholtz Centre for Environmental ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-author of the 'Net Zero and Land Rights' report (2025) alongside TMG, European Environmental Bureau, Land Matrix Initiative, PIK, Power Shift Africa, Rainforest Foundation UK, and University of Melbourne.
• 4per1000 InitiativeminorOthersTMG is a member of the 4per1000 Initiative, an institutional network focused on soil carbon sequestration for climate change mitigation and food security.
• Global Land Forum (GLF)minorOthersTMG is a GLF Charter Member and active participant in the GLFx Transformative Partnership Platform on Agroecology. GLF is a major platform for land governance discussions globally.
• SDG Land Momentum GroupminorOthersTMG is a member of the SDG Land Momentum Group coordinated by the International Land Coalition, focused on advancing land rights within the Sustainable Development Goals framework.
• True Cost Accounting NetworkminorOthersTMG participates in the True Cost Accounting network (tca2f.org), True Cost Alliance, and TCA Accelerator — institutional networks advancing true cost accounting approaches for sustainable food systems.
• UN-WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN-Women representative (Venge Nyirongo) is listed as a contributor to TMG blog content on gender-responsive environmental action and the Rio Conventions' Gender Action Plans.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD): Policy research institute focused on sustainable development — co-organised "Securing Land Rights and Social Equity in Pursuit of Net Zero" with TMG. Comparable in independent research, policy advisory, and convening role.
• Huairou Commission: Grassroots women's network focused on land rights and community resilience — co-host with TMG of the Women's Land Rights Initiative. Closely aligned on women's land rights, UN advocacy, and grassroots-to-global convening.
• International Land Coalition (ILC): Multi-stakeholder coalition focused on land governance and people-centred land rights — direct GEF-project partner with TMG and co-convener of the SDG Land Momentum Group. Most directly comparable in land rights advocacy and convening model.
• Namati: Global legal empowerment organisation with land rights and environmental justice programmes — co-organised land rights and climate action webinars with TMG. Comparable in grassroots-to-policy bridging and land rights focus.
• Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK): Leading climate science institute — co-author of TMG's "Net Zero and Land Rights" (2025) report and co-organiser of Berlin climate dialogues. Comparable in climate/land policy research and German institutional base.
• Landesa: Global land rights organisation working on tenure security for rural communities — joint executing partner with TMG on the GEF/FAO tenure-security project across four countries. Highly comparable mission and donor base.
• CIFOR-ICRAF: Global research organisation on forests, trees, and landscapes — direct research partner with TMG on the Kenya Agroecology Actor Dashboard and CLEAR coalition. Highly comparable in land governance, agroecology, and science-policy interface mandate.
• International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED): London-based policy research NGO working on sustainable development, land governance, and climate justice — directly comparable to TMG in mission, scale (~150 staff), non-profit grant model, and emphasis on bridging local realities with global policy.

Emerging players

• Oakland Institute: Independent policy think tank focused on land rights, food systems, and sustainable development — directly comparable thematic focus (land grabs, agroecology, climate justice) but with US-based operations and a more advocacy-driven posture than TMG.

Broad incumbents

• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organisation working on climate, land, food and equity — direct collaborator with TMG on land-rights data convenings. Overlap in land tenure research, climate policy advisory, and tool-building makes WRI the most operationally comparable incumbent, but at materially larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TMG_think
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPH_07zG1bOkTLytDjVP_Xg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tmg-think-tank-for-sustainability
• Instagraminstagram.com/global.soil.week

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Tmg Think Tank For Sustainability