Changing Cities E.v.
Changing Cities e.V. is a Berlin-based German non-profit advocacy organization that campaigns for sustainable urban mobility through citizen-initiated bicycle referendums, neighborhood traffic-calming initiatives, public demonstrations, and infrastructure monitoring, coordinating a network of 57 local Radentscheid initiatives across Germany.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Changing Cities E.v. does
Changing Cities e.V. is a Berlin-registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 2016 as the organizational successor to the Volksentscheid Fahrrad Berlin citizen campaign. The organization's mission is to advance sustainable urban mobility and livable cities in Germany, primarily through citizen-initiated bicycle referendums (Radentscheide), neighborhood traffic-calming campaigns (Kiezblocks, Superblocks, Schulstraßen), public demonstrations (Kidical Mass, Senior Mass, Tour de Verkehrswende), and policy monitoring tools (Radnetzmonitoring, Verkehrswende Monitor). Its primary constituencies are German citizens advocating for safer cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, and the 57 local Radentscheid initiatives it coordinates through the BundesRad network, which together have collected 1,293,109 signatures as of May 2025. Changing Cities played a direct role in the passage of the Berlin Mobility Law in June 2018, which mandates 2,698 km of cycling infrastructure by 2030.
The organization's "products" are advocacy campaigns and civic infrastructure rather than commercial technology. It operates a portfolio of branded campaigns (Volksentscheid Fahrrad, Kiezblocks, Superblocks, Schulstraßen, Kidical Mass, Senior Mass, Tour de Verkehrswende, #FaireStraßen, #schönerverkehren) and self-developed monitoring systems that field-survey and map Berlin's cycling-infrastructure build-out against legal targets. Its technology stack is operational rather than productized: CiviCRM for membership and donor management, Twingle for online donation processing (SEPA, credit card, PayPal), Matomo for self-hosted EU-based web analytics, GitHub Pages for web hosting, and OpenStreetMap/OpenFreeMap for geospatial visualization. Distribution occurs through a network of affiliated local initiatives, online petition platforms (Civist), and event-based organizing.
Changing Cities is funded entirely through donation-based revenue streams: recurring supporting memberships at suggested tiers of €10/month, €60/quarter, or €120/year (with custom amounts accepted), one-time individual donations, corporate donations (Unternehmensspenden), and merchandise sales through an online shop. No grants, fee-for-service revenue, or funding rounds are disclosed, and the organization is volunteer-driven (Ehrenamtliche), with only 11–50 listed personnel. Strategic partners include ADFC Berlin, BUND Berlin, FUSS e.V., VCD Nordost, Fridays For Future, and BUNDjugend, providing coalition reach across the German environmental and mobility advocacy ecosystem.
Changing Cities E.v. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Changing Cities E.v.
- Legal name
- Changing Cities e.V.
- Website
- https://changing-cities.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Changing Cities e.V. is a Berlin-based German non-profit advocacy organization that campaigns for sustainable urban mobility through citizen-initiated bicycle referendums, neighborhood traffic-calming initiatives, public demonstrations, and infrastructure monitoring, coordinating a network of 57 local Radentscheid initiatives across Germany.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Changing Cities E.v. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Civic Advocacy for Sustainable Urban Mobility
- NAICS
- Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives) (MPAKAIAC)
Keywords
Where Changing Cities E.v. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Changing Cities E.v. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Supporting Membership Fees (Fördermitglied): Recurring donations from supporting members at suggested amounts of €10, €60, or €120 per period, with options for custom amounts. Members receive tax-deductible donation receipts and newsletter updates.
- One-time Donations: Single donations from individuals supporting sustainable mobility advocacy, processed via Twingle platform.
- Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling merchandise with proceeds supporting the organization's advocacy work.
- Organizational/Corporate Donations: Support from companies (Unternehmensspenden) through direct donations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Basic Supporting Member - €10/month or equivalent annual amount |
| Subscription | Quarterly | Standard Supporting Member - €60/quarter or equivalent annual amount |
| Subscription | Annual | Premium Supporting Member - €120/year or equivalent annual amount |
| Other | Monthly | Custom Amount Donation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Changing Cities E.v. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Changing Cities e.V. runs a portfolio of grassroots civic advocacy campaigns and organizing programs for sustainable urban mobility in Germany, anchored by a nationwide network of 57+ Radentscheide (bicycle referendum) initiatives and the annual Tour de Verkehrswende cycling demonstration. The organization coordinates campaigns (Kiezblocks, Superblocks, Schulstraßen, #FaireStraßen, #schönerverkehren), runs cycling demonstrations (Kidical Mass, Senior Mass), and operates self-developed infrastructure monitoring tools (Radnetzmonitoring, Verkehrswende Monitor) that audit municipal compliance with Berlin's Mobility Act.
Product overview
Changing Cities E.v. is a nonprofit civic advocacy organization (eingetragener Verein) focused on sustainable urban mobility and creating livable cities. Rather than offering a technology product, the organization operates a portfolio of advocacy campaigns and initiatives including the Volksentscheid Fahrrad (citizen-initiated referendum that led to Berlin's Mobility Act), a network of 57 bicycle referendums (Radentscheide) across Germany, Kiezblocks neighborhood traffic calming initiatives, Schulstraßen school street programs, Kidical Mass family cycling events, the annual multi-day Tour de Verkehrswende bicycle demonstration, and communication campaigns like #schönerverkehren and #FaireStraßen. The organization also conducts infrastructure monitoring through its Radnetzmonitoring and Verkehrswende Monitor tools, provides practical how-to guides for activism, and operates a merchandise shop. The organization uses digital tools including CiviCRM for membership/donation management and Twingle for online donations, but these are operational tools rather than products offered to third parties.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Volksentscheid Fahrrad (Berlin Bicycle Referendum) Original Berlin citizen referendum campaign advocating for binding cycling-infrastructure targets, resulted in passage of Berlin's Mobility Act.
- Radentscheide Nationwide Network Nationwide coordination program for local bicycle referendum initiatives, providing shared resources, campaign strategies, legal guidance, and umbrella branding.
- Kiezblocks Campaign Ongoing campaign installing modal filters in Berlin residential neighborhoods to block through-traffic and create safer, more livable residential streets.
- Superblocks Campaign Campaign promoting adoption of the Barcelona-style superblock urban traffic concept in German cities to restrict through-traffic and reclaim neighborhood streets.
- Schulstraßen (School Streets) Campaign Initiative to temporarily close streets adjacent to schools during arrival and dismissal times so children can walk and cycle safely.
- Kidical Mass Family-oriented bicycle demonstrations advocating for safe cycling infrastructure for children, held regularly across German cities.
- Tour de Verkehrswende Annual multi-day bicycle demonstration tour across Germany visiting cities and towns to advocate for sustainable mobility and transport policy change; the 2023 tour covered approximately 800 km from Bremerhaven to Berlin across 14 days.
- Senior Mass Bicycle demonstration event specifically for elderly people, promoting safe, visible, and self-determined cycling for older adults.
- Radnetzmonitoring (Bicycle Network Monitoring) Proprietary monitoring program that audits Berlin's actual cycling-infrastructure build-out against the legally mandated targets in the Mobility Act, using field surveys and statistical analysis.
- Verkehrswende Monitor Monitoring system tracking the broader progress of Berlin's transport transition, including cycling infrastructure build-out and policy implementation against legal targets.
- #schönerverkehren Campaign Social media communication campaign promoting respectful coexistence among all road users through short video content addressing traffic conflicts and everyday road behavior.
- #FaireStraßen Campaign Campaign advocating for pandemic-resilient street infrastructure including pop-up bicycle lanes, car-free residential streets, and expanded pedestrian zones.
- Changing Cities Online Shop Online merchandise shop selling branded items such as apparel and accessories; proceeds support the organization's sustainable mobility advocacy work.
Quantifiable outcome
- Berlin's Mobility Law was passed in June 2018 following the Volksentscheid Fahrrad campaign
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Changing Cities E.v.
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Changing Cities E.v. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Changing Cities E.v. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- ADFC Berlin e.V. (General German Bicycle Club - Berlin Chapter)coreLong-standing partnership with ADFC Berlin for joint advocacy campaigns, memorial rides (Mahnwachen) for cyclists killed in traffic, and coordination on cycling policy initiatives. ADFC is a co-founder of the Volksentscheid Fahrrad campaign.
- BUND Berlin (Friends of the Earth Germany - Berlin)coreEnvironmental organization co-founding the Volksentscheid Fahrrad and collaborating on Berlin transportation policy advocacy.
- FUSS e.V. (Pedestrian Advocacy)corePartner in pedestrian advocacy and joint memorial events for pedestrians killed in traffic. Co-founder of the Volksentscheid Fahrrad initiative.
- VCD Nordost (Transport and Environment Association)majorOngoing collaboration on sustainable mobility campaigns, including Berlin Straßen für Alle coalition and joint demonstrations.
- ADFC Deutschland (ADFC National)majorNational bicycle club supporting Tour de Verkehrswende events and broader cycling advocacy campaigns across Germany.
- BUNDjugend (Young Friends of the Earth Germany)majorYouth environmental organization supporting Tour de Verkehrswende 2021 and climate-focused cycling demonstrations.
- Fridays For Future GermanymajorYouth climate movement collaborating on joint demonstrations and campaigns for sustainable transportation and climate action.
- BundesRad (#BundesRad Network)coreNational network initiative co-founded by Changing Cities to connect all Radentscheide and advocate for federal-level cycling infrastructure requirements.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Changing Cities E.v. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club): Germany's largest cycling advocacy association with ~200,000 members, focused on cycling infrastructure, road safety, and bicycle-friendly policy. Direct peer — operates in the same German cycling advocacy space and is a long-standing coalition partner.
- VCD (Verkehrsclub Deutschland): German transport and environment association advocating for sustainable mobility. Direct peer in sustainable transport advocacy; VCD Nordost is explicitly named as a Changing Cities coalition partner.
- FUSS e.V. German pedestrian advocacy organization focused on walkable cities and pedestrian safety. Direct peer in active-mobility advocacy; co-founded the Volksentscheid Fahrrad campaign alongside Changing Cities.
Broad incumbents
- Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH): German environmental and consumer protection NGO active in sustainable transport, clean air, and climate litigation. Broader-incumbent peer — runs parallel advocacy campaigns, including legal actions similar to Changing Cities' Klagen für die Verkehrswende.
- Greenpeace Germany: Major German environmental advocacy organization with global brand recognition. Broader-incumbent peer — overlaps on climate/sustainability advocacy and direct action campaigns.
- NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland): Germany's oldest and one of its largest nature and conservation organizations. Broader-incumbent peer — overlaps on urban livability, environmental policy, and civic mobilization.
- BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland): Germany's largest environmental advocacy organization. Broader-incumbent peer — operates across environmental issues including mobility, with substantially larger membership and resources; co-founder of Volksentscheid Fahrrad.
Others
- Agora Verkehrswende: Berlin-based think tank advancing sustainable transport in Germany. OTHERS peer — adjacent enabler providing data, reports, and policy analysis that complements Changing Cities' advocacy and monitoring work.
Emerging players
- Fridays for Future Germany: German climate movement with a younger demographic and direct-action focus. Emerging-player peer — intersects on climate mobility advocacy; named partner of Changing Cities on joint demonstrations.
Regional players
- Radlobby (Austria): Austrian cycling advocacy organization. Regional peer — directly comparable model and mission in a neighboring German-speaking market, useful analog for understanding replicability beyond Germany.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Changing Cities E.v. social profiles
Digital presenceChanging Cities E.v. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Changing Cities E.v. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Changing Cities E.v. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Changing Cities E.v. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Changing Cities E.v.
What does Changing Cities E.v. do?
Changing Cities e.V. runs a portfolio of grassroots civic advocacy campaigns and organizing programs for sustainable urban mobility in Germany, anchored by a nationwide network of 57+ Radentscheide (bicycle referendum) initiatives and the annual Tour de Verkehrswende cycling demonstration. The organization coordinates campaigns (Kiezblocks, Superblocks, Schulstraßen, #FaireStraßen, #schönerverkehren), runs cycling demonstrations (Kidical Mass, Senior Mass), and operates self-developed infrastructure monitoring tools (Radnetzmonitoring, Verkehrswende Monitor) that audit municipal compliance with Berlin's Mobility Act.
Is Changing Cities E.v. a public or private company?
Changing Cities E.v. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Changing Cities E.v. founded?
Changing Cities E.v. was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Changing Cities E.v. based?
Changing Cities E.v. is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Changing Cities E.v. make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Supporting Membership Fees (Fördermitglied) is the primary driver. The others are one-time Donations, merchandise Sales and organizational/Corporate Donations.
Who are Changing Cities E.v.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club), VCD (Verkehrsclub Deutschland) and FUSS e.V.. Broad incumbents are Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), Greenpeace Germany, NABU (Naturschutzbund Deutschland) and BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland). Agora Verkehrswende is listed as an others. Fridays for Future Germany is listed as an emerging player. Radlobby (Austria) is listed as a regional player.
Does Changing Cities E.v. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Changing Cities E.v..
What industry is Changing Cities E.v. in?
Changing Cities E.v.'s product category is Civic Advocacy for Sustainable Urban Mobility. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAIAC, Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives). Its NAICS code is 8133 and its SIC code is 8600.