fundacion para la economia circular

What fundacion para la economia circular does

Fundación para la Economía Circular (FEC) is a private non-profit foundation headquartered in Madrid, Spain, with origins in the Club Español de los Residuos (CER) established in 1993. The foundation operates with an Iberian scope and supranational projection spanning Spain, Portugal, Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and Latin America. Its core service portfolio comprises professional consultancy on circular economy and sustainability, training and educational programs, environmental advisory services, and the organization of conferences and events. Key programs include the ANTICIPA project, a monitoring system for municipal waste management compliance with 2025-2035 EU and national objectives built around a 151-item questionnaire, and the PESCRAP project, which designs Extended Producer Responsibility (RAP) frameworks for fishing gear, co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA). FEC also convenes the annual Foro RAP series dedicated to Extended Producer Responsibility, now in its third edition (2025).

The foundation is governed by a patronato composed of former high-ranking regional-government officials and recognized professionals from public and private sectors, supported by a professional team, an advisory council, and a network of collaborating entities. Customer segments are primarily public administrations (Spanish regional and municipal governments) with secondary engagement of private companies, the scientific/academic community, and civil society. The business model is project-based and grant-funded: revenue derives from EU and national public-program funding (Fundación Biodiversidad, Ministry for Ecological Transition, FEMPA), consultancy fees paid by public and private clients, training program delivery (including programs for SMEs and secondary education), and event-related income. No products are sold on a commercial pricing basis; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates as an independent interlocutor between administrations, companies, the scientific community, and society, leveraging its neutral positioning and supranational expert network to drive consensus on circular economy policy and implementation.

Recent strategic activity (2025-2026) reflects ecosystem expansion through partnerships with INCIDEM (April 2026), Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (January 2026), Gecor System (May 2025), and SEO/BirdLife (March 2025), alongside a leadership transition in which Mariano Martínez Cepa assumed the presidency. The organization maintains active digital channels including a corporate website, blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram to disseminate content and convene stakeholders.

Name

fundacion para la economia circular

Legal name

FUNDACIÓN PARA LA ECONOMÍA CIRCULAR

Website

https://economiacircular.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fundación para la Economía Circular (FEC) is a Madrid-based private non-profit foundation providing circular economy consulting, training, environmental advisory, and event organization, primarily serving Spanish public administrations, private entities, and academic partners across Iberia, Europe, and Latin America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability and Circular Economy Consulting

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAHACAK

Sustainability & ESG Consulting

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Management Consulting

SECONDARYEUAIANAH

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Services (Waste Management, Recycling & Remediation)/Resource Recovery & Circular Economy Services (Reuse, Take-back, Refurbishment)

SECONDARYBPADALAM

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

Keywords

• Circular economy consulting
• Sustainability advisory services
• Waste management consulting
• Extended producer responsibility
• Environmental training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Project Funding and Grants: The foundation operates as a non-profit entity that secures funding through collaborative projects with public institutions (such as Fundación Biodiversidad, Ministry for Ecological Transition), European Union programs (FEMPA), and international cooperation initiatives (AL-Invest Verde).
2. Consultancy Services: Provides consulting services to public administrations and private entities on circular economy implementation, waste management optimization, and Extended Producer Responsibility systems.
3. Training and Education Programs: Organizes training programs, workshops, and educational initiatives including circular economy training for SMEs and educational programs in secondary schools.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The foundation provides consulting, training, environmental services, and event organization focused on circular economy, sustainability, resource use, and environmental protection. Its core offerings include professional advisory services to public administrations and private entities, the ANTICIPA municipal waste management monitoring project, the PESCRAP project for designing Extended Producer Responsibility (RAP) systems for fishing gear, and the annual Foro RAP conference series convening stakeholders on Extended Producer Responsibility.

Product overview

Fundación para la Economía Circular is a private foundation focused on circular economy promotion and sustainability solutions. The organization operates as a knowledge center and advisory body rather than a software product company. Its portfolio consists of professional services including consulting, training programs, event organization, and specialized projects. Key offerings include the ANTICIPA monitoring tool for municipalities to track waste management compliance, the PESCRAP project for fishing gear Extended Producer Responsibility, and the Foro RAP annual event series. The foundation serves public administrations, private companies, and social agents across Spain, Portugal, Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and Latin America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Consultoría (Consulting) Professional advisory services in circular economy, sustainability, resource management, and environmental compliance for public administrations and private entities.
• Formación (Training Programs) Educational and training programs on circular economy principles, waste management, and environmental sustainability for professionals and organizations, including SME training and secondary school programs.
• Organización de Conferencias y Eventos (Conference and Event Organization) Organization and hosting of conferences, forums, and events focused on circular economy, marine litter, and environmental sustainability topics, including the annual Foro RAP and participation in Foro MARLICE.
• Proyecto ANTICIPA A strategic monitoring and support project for municipalities and autonomous communities to track waste management performance and compliance with EU and national circular economy objectives for 2025-2035, using a 151-item questionnaire to assess municipal performance.
• PESCRAP (Proyecto para un Sistema Colectivo de RAP de Artes y Aparejos de Pesca) Project to design and establish an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework specifically for fishing nets and gear, aiming to achieve proper environmental management, traceability, and control from manufacturing to end of life, preventing ghost fishing and marine pollution.
• Foro RAP (Foro Responsabilidad Ampliada del Productor) Annual forum series (1º Foro RAP 2023, 2º Foro RAP 2024, 3º Foro RAP 2025) dedicated to Extended Producer Responsibility topics, bringing together stakeholders to discuss implementation and challenges of EPR systems in Spain.
• Medio Ambiente (Environmental Services) Environmental services encompassing research, analysis, and recommendations on circular economy, sustainability, resource use, and environmental protection matters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Coordinated over 3 editions of ANTICIPA project for municipal waste management monitoring
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Instituto de Cooperación Internacional y Desarrollo Municipal (INCIDEM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Collaboration agreement signed in April 2026 for joint activities promoting circular economy and environmental sustainability. Includes information exchange, joint organization of seminars and conferences, research projects, studies and publications, initiative dissemination, and joint participation in public and private funding calls.
• Universidad Carlos III de MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026Collaboration with Master's in Circular Engineering on ANTICIPA project optimization. Joint organization of working sessions with regional governments for methodology review and waste management assessment.
• Gecor SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2025Strategic alliance signed in May 2025 with Gecor System SLU establishing framework for joint initiatives on digital transformation of sustainable cities. Gecor System also joined the foundation's Advisory Council, reinforcing commitment to implementing technological solutions for circular economy in urban environments.
• SEO/BirdLife (Proyecto Libera)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2025Collaboration on Proyecto Libera for nature cleanup initiatives, organizing 'basuraleza' (litter) collection activities in natural spaces to raise awareness about abandoned waste impact.
• MADC Arquitectura y Diseño AmbientalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2021Cooperation agreement signed in June 2021 to achieve common objectives related to sustainability, circular economy, climate change, resource management, and environmental impact reduction.
• AIMPLAS (Instituto Tecnológico del Plástico)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on PESCRAP project for developing Extended Producer Responsibility systems for fishing gear. Brings technical expertise in plastic technology to the partnership.
• Asociación Vertidos CerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in PESCRAP project focused on marine litter prevention and circular economy solutions for fishing gear waste.
• Universidad de VigocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in PESCRAP project, contributing research expertise on marine environment and waste management.
• Fundación Biodiversidad (Ministry for Ecological Transition)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProject collaborator through PLEAMAR Program for marine biodiversity protection. Co-financing partner for PESCRAP project through European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Global non-profit foundation leading circular economy thought leadership and convening, with the same knowledge-generation, advisory, and partner-network model as Fundación para la Economía Circular, but at a significantly larger international scale and brand recognition.
• Closed Loop Partners: US-based circular economy investment and consulting platform with both non-profit and for-profit arms. Broader incumbent in the same space offering advisory and convening plus investment capabilities that the foundation does not have.

Direct peers

• Circle Economy: Dutch non-profit circular economy organization providing consulting, reports, and the Circularity Gap Reporting framework. Closely matches the foundation's combination of consulting, training, publications, and indicator-based methodology work like ANTICIPA.
• Zero Waste Europe: European non-profit network advancing zero waste and circular economy policy at EU level. Operates in the same advocacy + policy advisory + member network space as the foundation, with overlapping European policy engagement and Foro RAP-style convening functions.
• RREUSE: European federation of social enterprises active in reuse, repair, and recycling. Comparable in mission alignment with circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility advocacy, with policy-level engagement that parallels the foundation's public administration work.
• WEEE Forum: European association of 47 Producer Responsibility Organizations for waste electrical and electronic equipment. Highly comparable as an Extended Producer Responsibility (RAP/EPR) focused network that convenes stakeholders, develops methodologies, and engages policymakers—mirroring PESCRAP and Foro RAP.
• Rezero (Catalonia): Catalan non-profit foundation promoting waste reduction and circular economy, focused on producer responsibility and citizen engagement. Direct Iberian peer operating in adjacent Spanish territory with similar EPR advocacy and member-based governance model.
• Fundación COTEC: Spanish private foundation for innovation with similar Iberian scope, public-private governance model (patronato of leading companies), and policy advisory function. Comparable institutional structure and stakeholder convening role in Spain.

Regional players

• ECOCE: Mexican non-profit organization managing Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for packaging. Comparable EPR operational model and circular economy advocacy mission, but focused on Latin America—a region where the foundation claims supranational scope.

Emerging players

• ECOLOGIA Green Initiatives (ECOLOGÍA): Spanish environmental non-profit offering sustainability consulting, training, and project management. Comparable as a Spain-based non-profit sustainability services provider competing for similar public administration and corporate advisory mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Ec_Circular
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC93z1oZmLfP9cJHTYiD_yeg
• Facebookfacebook.com/economiacircular
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundaci%C3%B3n-para-la-econom%C3%ADa-circular
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundacioneconomiacircular

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about fundacion para la economia circular