MetaMeta, based in Wageningen, the Netherlands, is joining the GOPA Consulting Group

MetaMeta, based in Wageningen, the Netherlands, is joining the GOPA Consulting Group, a leading group of consultancies in international cooperation in Europe, to bolster our expertise in Water Management, thereby enhancing our global impact in climate and water solutions.

We're thrilled to share an exciting milestone in our company’s journey. MetaMeta, a renowned group of climate and water experts, will officially become part of the GOPA Consulting Group as of 1 January 2024, with the announcement effective from 4 March 2024. MetaMeta, a leading specialist company in climate and water, will officially become part of GOPA AFC. This significant move will further enhance the technical specialization in line with the philosophy of the Group.

As we welcome MetaMeta, we are effectively expanding our expertise. MetaMeta brings more than 20 years of international climate and water expertise to the table, which fits perfectly with our global experience in agricultural, agribusiness and financial sector development. This collaboration will allow us to broaden our focus to include critical future topics, such as water management, irrigation and blue finance.

MetaMeta, based in Wageningen, the Netherlands, has been engaged in water, land and natural resources management for over two decades, creating remarkable tangible results. The company provides applied research and support, management and monitoring of complex programs, engages in policy development and has been a bridge between knowledge suppliers and practitioners.

With around thirty employees at the headquarter in Wageningen and in its various offices in Ethiopia, Kenya, Turkey, Nepal and Yemen, as well as experts in several countries, MetaMeta provides technical assistance services in various areas, such as water management and irrigation, regenerative agriculture, groundwater governance and flood-based livelihoods, just to name a few.

MetaMeta has strong links with Wageningen Agricultural University and has a strong client base, spanning e.g. from the Netherlands Government to the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and private foundations.

The integration of MetaMeta aligns perfectly with the recent establishment of the GOPA Group US in Washington D.C. As a result of this strategic alliance, MetaMeta's services can now be extended to agencies in the USA. For over six decades, GOPA Group has maintained a strong presence as a reliable European consulting entity, specializing in sustainable development. It has earned the trust of leading development agencies, multilateral organizations, international financial institutions, government ministries, and public entities across five continents. GOPA companies expertly navigate some of the most challenging landscapes to deliver meaningful and measurable results that endure. With an annual turnover approaching EUR 300 million and over 1,000 ongoing projects, GOPA's goal is to transform political agendas into successful projects and impactful results.

Marc van der Stouwe will take over the role of Managing Director of MetaMeta. Marc, who until December 2023 was the Managing Director of Mott MacDonald Euroconsult and the Global Sector Leader for International Development for the global Mott MacDonald Group, will also join the GOPA AFC management team. We extend our warm welcome to Marc and wish him success in his new role. In addition, Johannes Buschmeier will become the second Management Director of MetaMeta.

“MetaMeta adds a new technical domain to GOPA AFC, complementing its work in the agriculture and food sector, and the central importance of water sector expertise within that”, says Johannes Buschmeier, Managing Director of GOPA AFC. GOPA AFC now builds on three main pillars: A = Agriculture & Agribusiness, F = Financial Sector Development and C = Climate & Water.

We are also pleased to announce that Frank van Steenbergen, the founder and owner of MetaMeta, will continue to contribute to the company’s work in the coming years. Frank has led MetaMeta to become the strong and internationally recognized organization it is today, and we're thrilled that he will remain fully involved.

“Joining GOPA AFC and the GOPA Consulting Group will allow the technically highly qualified staff of MetaMeta to engage in a new professional experience that will foster future business growth by creating strong linkages within the successful GOPA Group and benefitting from the technical and financial advantages this will bring", states Frank van Steenbergen, former shareholder of MetaMeta, who will play an important advisory role going forward.

Looking ahead, we are confident that this new chapter for MetaMeta and the GOPA Group will significantly strengthen our ability to address global and local challenges in water and climate. These challenges require concentrated, dedicated efforts and practical solutions, which have always been MetaMeta's hallmark. Together, we look forward to shaping a resilient and sustainable future. As we join forces, under the umbrella of GOPA AFC, we remain focused on our mission to address global and local challenges with innovative and practical solutions.

For more information, please contact Marc.vanderStouwe [at] gopa-afc.de