MedWaves

What MedWaves does

MedWaves is a Barcelona-based non-profit intergovernmental organization serving as the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production and a Regional Activity Centre for the Stockholm Convention. It supports Mediterranean countries, governments, SMEs, and green entrepreneurs in advancing sustainable, circular, and non-toxic economies through policy advisory, capacity building, technical assistance, and direct funding facilitation. The organization was established under the Barcelona and Stockholm UN-led Conventions and was rebranded from SCP/RAC to MedWaves in May 2022.

MedWaves' core product portfolio is the Switchers ecosystem, which comprises six interlinked digital platforms: TheSwitchers.org (resource navigation portal), The Switchers Community (networking platform), The Switchers Fund (impact fund for green start-ups), The Switchers Products (product marketplace), The Switchers Toolbox (green lean start-up business development suite), and the Open Eco-Innovation Platform (matching seekers with providers of green solutions). These are complemented by the SwitchMed initiative, the WeMed Awards programme, and project-specific platforms such as Plastic Busters MPAs. Distribution is primarily direct through EU-funded project consortia, UNEP/MAP system frameworks, and national focal points across the Mediterranean.

The organization operates on a grant-funded, non-commercial model. Revenue is derived from EU-funded projects (including WES-BCA at €7M for 2024-2027, SEACURE at €700k, and SwitchMed, STAND Up!, GIMED, RESET), institutional funding via UNEP/MAP, and ENI CBC MED cross-border cooperation mechanisms. Core services are provided free of charge to governments and stakeholders, with the Switchers Fund channeling direct funding to green entrepreneurs. The organization is legally hosted by the Catalan Waste Agency and serves as a public-sector entity rather than a commercial venture.

Name

MedWaves

Legal name

MedWaves, the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production

Website

https://medwaves-centre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

MedWaves is a Barcelona-based UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre that supports Mediterranean governments, SMEs, and green entrepreneurs in advancing sustainable consumption, circular economy, and non-toxic production through policy advisory, capacity building, and the Switchers digital ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Sustainability Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPAIAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Climate Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (BPAGABAK)

Keywords

• Sustainable consumption production
• Circular economy programmes
• Marine litter prevention
• Green entrepreneurship support
• Environmental policy advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EU/International Funding Programs: MedWaves operates primarily through EU-funded projects and international funding mechanisms. As a UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre, they receive institutional funding and implement grant-based programs. Projects include WES-BCA (€7M budget), SEACURE open calls (€700k), and various ENI CBC MED initiatives.
2. Technical Assistance and Advisory Services: MedWaves provides advisory services, training, and capacity building to Mediterranean governments, businesses, and entrepreneurs as part of their mandate under the Barcelona and Stockholm Conventions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

MedWaves is a UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre that delivers technical assistance, capacity building, and policy advisory services to advance Sustainable Consumption and Production and circular economies across the Mediterranean region. It operates The Switchers ecosystem of digital platforms and programmes (including The Switchers Support Programme, SwitchMed, The Switchers Fund, the Open Eco-Innovation Platform, and The Switchers Toolbox) that support green entrepreneurs, SMEs, governments, and civil society. Services are funded through EU and international grants and include policy framework support, business development tools, sustainable finance facilitation, and stakeholder dialogue.

Product overview

MedWaves is a Centre for international cooperation developing joint solutions addressing shared environmental challenges, based on circular economies and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). The organization operates The Switchers ecosystem of digital platforms as its core product portfolio, which includes The Switchers.org (web platform), The Switchers Community, The Switchers Fund (impact investment vehicle), The Switchers Products marketplace, The Switchers Toolbox (business development suite), and the Open Eco Innovation Platform. These are complemented by the SwitchMed initiative, WeMed Awards program, and participation in projects like Plastic Busters MPAs. The organization also serves as a Regional Activity Centre for the Stockholm Convention, providing technical assistance, capacity building, and advisory services to Mediterranean stakeholders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Switchers: A platform and support programme for green entrepreneurs in the Mediterranean region pursuing circular economic and sustainable business models.
• The Switchers Support Programme
• The Switchers Fund
• The Switchers Products
• Open Eco-Innovation Platform
• The Switchers Toolbox
• SwitchMed
• WeMed Awards

Products and services

• The Switchers Support Programme Creates an enabling environment for entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises pursuing circular economic and sustainable business models in the Mediterranean region, providing tools, services, training, mentorship, and networking support.
• SwitchMed Initiative Initiative supporting sustainable consumption and production practices for a circular economy in the Mediterranean, providing tools and services directly to the private sector, supporting an enabling policy environment, and facilitating exchange of information among partners and stakeholders.
• The Switchers Fund Impact fund for green start-ups in the Mediterranean that facilitates direct funding and business support services to existing and future green, circular, and social entrepreneurs.
• The Switchers Toolbox Comprehensive business development suite based on the green lean start-up methodology that gives users access to a wide range of tools to design, prototype, test, and grow their green business ideas.
• Open Eco-Innovation Platform Platform enabling matching between seekers of green and circular business solutions (companies and public institutions) and providers (start-ups and entrepreneurs) using an open innovation approach.
• WeMed Awards Award programme recognizing sustainable entrepreneurship and green business innovations in the Mediterranean region, with applications open for the 2026 edition.
• Plastic Busters MPAs Interreg Med-funded project aiming to contribute to maintaining biodiversity and preserving natural ecosystems in pelagic and coastal protected areas by consolidating Mediterranean efforts to address marine litter.
• WES-BCA (Water and Environment Support – Biodiversity and Climate Action) Project EU-funded capacity building and technical assistance project with a €7 million budget, duration 2024–2027, supporting eight Southern and Eastern Mediterranean partner countries on biodiversity and climate action through technical assistance, training, and policy support.
• The Switchers.org Web Platform Web platform serving as a compass for business ecosystem players to find their path to the Switchers Support Programme's service offer, helping stakeholders navigate circular economy resources, training, funding, and partnership opportunities in the Mediterranean.

Quantifiable outcome

• MedWaves implements programs supporting Mediterranean countries in meeting Stockholm Convention obligations on persistent organic pollutants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• UNEP/MAP (United Nations Environment Programme / Mediterranean Action Plan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedWaves serves as the official UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production, operating within the framework of the Barcelona Convention system. This is the primary institutional mandate for the organization.
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic PollutantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedWaves is a Regional Activity Centre for the Stockholm Convention, supporting the collective effort to overcome threats of hazardous chemicals to human and environmental health. MedWaves helps Mediterranean countries meet their obligations under this global treaty.
• Barcelona ConventioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedWaves operates within the framework of the Barcelona Convention (Mediterranean Action Plan), working with Contracting Parties and partners to fulfill the vision of a healthy Mediterranean Sea and Coast.
• LDK Consultants S.A.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in the WES-BCA Implementing Consortium. LDK Consultants leads the European consortium providing capacity building and technical expertise.
• Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in WES-BCA Implementing Consortium, bringing regional network and expertise in environment and development across Arab countries.
• Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management (ACR+)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in WES-BCA Implementing Consortium, contributing expertise in sustainable resource management at local and regional levels.
• Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM Bari)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in WES-BCA Implementing Consortium, providing agricultural and environmental expertise for Mediterranean development.
• Mediterranean Information Office for Environment Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in WES-BCA Implementing Consortium, contributing Mediterranean environmental and sustainable development expertise.
• Catalan Waste AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for MedWaves. The Catalan Waste Agency provides institutional hosting and support for the organization's operations.
• Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedWaves cooperates with UfM agenda and pushes forward the EU Agenda for the Mediterranean in implementing environmental programs.
• Interreg Mediterranean Biodiversity Protection CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on marine litter issues, including joint work on BeMed-Islands capitalization process and MARLICE events.
• Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedWaves is partner and implementer in the Beyond Plastic Med capitalization process in islands, contributing to plastic pollution reduction efforts in Mediterranean islands.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP): A joint European Commission/EIB stakeholder platform advancing the circular economy across Europe, addressing the same policy framework and stakeholder community MedWaves engages through its Switchers and dialogue work.
• Plan Bleu (UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre): Another Regional Activity Centre within the UNEP/MAP system (focused on environment and development in the Mediterranean), operating under the same Barcelona Convention framework and serving the same contracting parties, making it the closest institutional peer to MedWaves.
• REMPEC (Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean): A sister UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre dealing with marine pollution prevention and emergency response, sharing the same treaty framework and Mediterranean mandate on marine litter and chemicals that MedWaves also addresses.

Broad incumbents

• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme): A larger UN development agency that funds and implements sustainable development and climate programmes in the Mediterranean, overlapping with MedWaves' SCP, capacity-building and green-economy agendas.
• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization): A larger UN agency whose Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development agenda overlaps with MedWaves' work on eco-innovation, sustainable business models and circular economy programmes for developing economies.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit): Germany's federal development agency implements EU and bilateral projects on circular economy and environmental policy in the Mediterranean, often as a consortium peer and offering comparable capacity-building services at much larger scale.
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: A globally recognised circular-economy thought leader that convenes businesses, governments and academia, overlapping with MedWaves' mission to advance circular economies and sustainable consumption and production.

Emerging players

• Circle Economy Foundation: An impact organisation that produces the Circularity Gap Report and runs circular-economy implementation programmes, directly comparable in mandate to MedWaves' Circular Economy and SCP expertise and Switchers ecosystem.

Regional players

• WWF Mediterranean: WWF's Mediterranean programme working on marine litter, plastic pollution and sustainable economies across the same set of countries MedWaves serves, often partnering on awareness and policy advocacy.
• IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN Med): IUCN's regional hub covering Mediterranean biodiversity, marine conservation and sustainable development, working with overlapping Mediterranean governments and environmental conventions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MedWaves_Centre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UChn1hHB3AIyuB1Hd91GFFJg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/MedWavesCentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/medwaves

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 MedWaves