ECOLOGIC INSTITUT GEMEINNUTZIGE GMBH

Their core work

Ecologic Institute is a Berlin-based environmental policy research centre that bridges science and governance across Europe. They specialize in translating complex environmental research into actionable policy recommendations, particularly on biodiversity, water management, circular economy, and climate adaptation. Their work combines scientific assessment with co-design methods, engaging policymakers, businesses, and communities to develop practical strategies for sustainability transitions. As a non-profit SME, they bring both research rigour and applied policy expertise to EU consortia, frequently leading coordination and support actions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), Ecologic focused on aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity policy frameworks, food waste reduction, and circular economy measurement — foundational environmental assessment work. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward nature-based solutions, urban ecosystem restoration, bioeconomy strategy, and transformative climate policy, reflecting the priorities of the European Green Deal. This evolution shows a move from diagnostic research (measuring impacts, mapping ecosystems) toward solution-oriented work (designing interventions, building governance frameworks for systemic change).

Ecologic is positioning itself at the intersection of nature-based solutions and transformative climate policy — expect them to pursue Green Deal implementation, ecosystem restoration governance, and urban-rural sustainability linkages in future programmes.

How they like to work

Ecologic operates as both a project leader and a trusted consortium partner, coordinating 6 of their 26 projects (23%) — a high ratio for a research SME. They work across large consortia (407 unique partners, 50 countries), indicating they are a well-connected hub rather than a niche specialist locked into repeat partnerships. Their strength lies in coordination and support actions (CSA) and research-policy interface roles, making them an ideal partner for projects that need science-to-policy translation and multi-actor engagement.

With 407 unique consortium partners across 50 countries, Ecologic has one of the broadest collaboration networks among environmental policy research centres in Europe. Their reach extends well beyond the EU — the INTERLACE project demonstrates active cooperation with Latin American partners, signalling global ambitions.

What sets them apart

Ecologic occupies a distinctive niche as a non-profit research SME that combines deep environmental science with practical policy design — they are neither a pure academic institute nor a consultancy, but a hybrid that can both produce peer-reviewed research and facilitate governance processes. Their breadth across water, biodiversity, circular economy, food systems, and climate policy is unusual for an organisation of their size, making them a versatile consortium partner. For anyone building a Green Deal-aligned project, Ecologic brings both the scientific credibility and the policy engagement machinery that reviewers look for.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AQUACROSS
  Their largest project (EUR 1.07M) and a coordinator role — established Ecologic as a leading voice in aquatic biodiversity policy across EU frameworks.
• 4I-TRACTION
  Their most recent coordination (EUR 978K), focused on transformative climate neutrality policies — signals their strategic pivot toward Green Deal governance.
• INTERLACE
  Coordinator of an EU-Latin America cooperation project on urban ecosystem restoration (EUR 965K) — demonstrates their capacity for international, cross-continental research leadership.