Travers Welzijn
Het Werkt Sociaal (formerly Travers Welzijn) is a Dutch non-profit social welfare organization under the Travers foundation that delivers community-embedded social work, youth work, neighborhood mediation, and city-farm programs across Zwolle and Heerde, primarily funded by the Municipality of Zwolle.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersZwolle, Netherlands
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Travers Welzijn does
Het Werkt Sociaal (formerly Travers Welzijn) is a Dutch non-profit social welfare organization operating as part of the Travers foundation in Zwolle, Netherlands. It delivers community-embedded social work, youth work, neighborhood mediation, and city-farm-based nature education primarily across Zwolle and Heerde, serving residents from children to the elderly through more than 100 social workers organized into district teams covering Zuid, West, Oost, Noord, Midden, and Stadshagen. Service delivery is anchored in a physical infrastructure of neighborhood centers (e.g., Wijkcentrum Holtenbroek, Wijkcentrum de Vlasakkers), youth centers (ReZet, Level-Z), and city farms (De Schellerhoeve, De Eemhoeve, De Klooienberg), with outreach via door-to-door contact, schools, and partner referrals.
The organization's core "technology" is a community engagement and social work methodology — a low-technology, people-centered approach that connects residents, volunteers, professionals, and partner organizations. It is not a software or platform company. Programs include Buurtbemiddeling (neighborhood mediation), Vuurkracht (youth development), Vrouwen Coachen Meiden, Impacter (maatschappelijke diensttijd), and Expeditie Wijs, delivered alongside co-developed professional training such as (ver)Sterk Samenlevingsopbouw in partnership with Hogeschool Viaa and Hogeschool Windesheim.
The business model is fundamentally that of a publicly contracted welfare provider. Revenue comes primarily from multi-year municipal contracts with Gemeente Zwolle (and to a lesser extent Heerde), supplemented by project-specific grants and corporate sponsorships (e.g., Rabobank IJsseldelta €30,000 for United Movesz). All core social work, youth work, neighborhood development, and community-building services are provided at no cost to residents, with only minimal ancillary ticket revenue (e.g., €12.50 theater performances). The organization employs 251–500 staff, operates without an app product, has no disclosed AI capabilities, and is governed as a stichting (foundation) within the Travers group alongside sister entities Doomijn (childcare), Hedon (music venue), and ZwolleDoet!.
Travers Welzijn firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Travers Welzijn
- Legal name
- Het Werkt Sociaal
- Website
- https://traverswelzijn.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Het Werkt Sociaal (formerly Travers Welzijn) is a Dutch non-profit social welfare organization under the Travers foundation that delivers community-embedded social work, youth work, neighborhood mediation, and city-farm programs across Zwolle and Heerde, primarily funded by the Municipality of Zwolle.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Travers Welzijn industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Social Work and Welfare Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF), Refugee & Migrant Integration Enterprises (Livelihoods, Services) (BPAGALAN), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)
Keywords
Where Travers Welzijn is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zwolle
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
Travers Welzijn business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Municipal government funding: Het Werkt Sociaal is primarily funded by the Municipality of Zwolle (gemeente Zwolle) to provide social services, community work, youth work, and neighborhood development across the city. Funding is structured through public social welfare contracts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free community services for residents |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Travers Welzijn product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Travers Welzijn (operating as Het Werkt Sociaal) delivers community-based social welfare services across Zwolle and Heerde in the Netherlands, including neighborhood mediation, youth work, neighborhood center programming, city farm–based nature and childcare activities, early childhood education support, and community building programs. The organization operates more than 100 social workers and a network of neighborhood centers, youth centers, and city farms as physical service delivery points, funded primarily through municipal contracts with the Municipality of Zwolle.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vuurkracht: Youth development program focusing on personal growth and talent development for young people
- Buurtbemiddeling
- Vrouwen coachen Meiden
- Impacter
- Expeditie Wijs
Products and services
- Youth Centers ReZet and Level-Z Free, low-threshold youth centers for ages 10–23 in Zwolle-Zuid and Zwolle-West, providing safe spaces, weekly programs (girls' afternoons, eat & meet, open youth evenings, talent development, Urban Platform for rap and music) and functioning as a second home for many local young people.
- Neighborhood Centers (Wijkcentra) Physical neighborhood centers across Zwolle districts offering bingo, language lessons, after-school activities, community dinners, one-time events, meeting rooms, and direct access to neighborhood social workers for local residents.
- City Farms (Wijkboerderijen) City farms offering nature education, animal care exposure, volunteer opportunities, outdoor play, environmental awareness, gardens, and toddler play areas; also host co-located Doomijn childcare and structured school programs such as stalklas (stable class) for groups of around 100 children per session.
- Buurtbemiddeling (Neighborhood Mediation)
- Early Childhood Education (VVE) Support Early childhood education (Voor- en Vroegschoolse Educatie) support for families with young children, including immigrant and refugee families, delivered through weekly home visits by VVE trainees covering language acquisition, school readiness, parenting support, and cultural integration.
- Vuurkracht Youth Development Program
- United Movesz Youth Initiative
- (ver)Sterk Samenlevingsopbouw Training Program
- Vrouwen Coachen Meiden
- Welkomsteam at Talentenplein
- Impacter Maatschappelijke Diensttijd (MDT) Program
- Expeditie Wijs Holiday Activity Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Two-thirds of neighborhood mediation cases result in positive resolution
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Travers Welzijn
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Travers Welzijn technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Travers Welzijn partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SSH (student housing corporation)coreSSH collaborated with Het Werkt Sociaal, Impacter, and Sociaal Wijkteam to launch the Welkomsteam at Talentenplein student housing, personally welcoming new residents and helping them integrate into the community.
- Impacter ZwollecoreImpacter provides youth coaches for the Talentenplein Welkomsteam, combining voluntary engagement with maatschappelijke diensttijd (MDT). Impacter also runs the MDT program with Windesheim students, connecting youth with community service opportunities.
- Sociaal Wijkteam ZwollecoreThe Social Neighborhood Team collaborates on youth programs, talent development initiatives (such as the boulder activity with Roest), and community building efforts across Zwolle districts.
- Sportservice ZwollecoreLocal sports organization co-organizing youth sports events including the United Movesz football tournament and Sportspektakeldag, providing sports facilities, expertise, and connections to the sporting community.
- 11Teamsports ZwolleminorSports retailer supporting the United Movesz youth tournament by providing sports materials and facilities, helping reach youth participants.
- NOC*NSFcoreNational sports federation is a partner in District Spots, a national program supporting youth in organizing sports and community activities in their own neighborhoods. Het Werkt Sociaal's United Movesz aligns with this program.
- Boulderhal RoestminorBoulderhal Roest provided its facilities for a four-week bouldering program for youth from Stadshagen, facilitated by Kerem Aksoy (Het Werkt Sociaal) and Mitzy van der Weele (Sociaal Wijkteam), to connect youth and develop confidence through sport.
- Montessorischool Zwolle-ZuidminorMontessorischool brings approximately 100 children per session to Stadsboerderij De Schellerhoeve for nature education aligned with school curriculum topics (Vee & Zoogdieren).
- Buurtbemiddeling Netherlands (National Neighborhood Mediation Network)coreHet Werkt Sociaal's Marianne Grooten is a member of the national campaign team for the 'Dat is makkelijk praten' neighborhood mediation campaign, coordinated across all Dutch municipalities with mediation services.
- DoomijncoreCo-organized the Sportspektakeldag in Zwolle-Zuid with SportService Zwolle, combining childcare and sports programming for children during autumn vacation.
- Toegankelijk ZwolleminorOrganization focused on accessibility collaborated with Het Werkt Sociaal and SportService Zwolle to organize Samenspeeldagen, ensuring children with and without disabilities could play together.
- Bijenteeltvereniging (Beekeeping Association)minorCollaborates with Het Werkt Sociaal on city farm programs at De Schellerhoeve, contributing to nature education and biodiversity initiatives.
- Hogeschool ViaacoreHet Werkt Sociaal co-developed the (ver)Sterk Samenlevingsopbouw training program with Hogeschool Viaa, as part of the (ver)Sterk Sociaal Werk educational trajectory. Viaa provides higher education expertise and academic rigor to professionalize social work training.
- Hogeschool WindesheimcoreWindesheim collaborated with Het Werkt Sociaal to develop the (ver)Sterk Samenlevingsopbouw training and is also a partner in the MDT project Impacter x Windesheim, enabling 500+ Windesheim students to participate in community service programs through Impacter.
- Waterschap Drents Overijsselse Delta (WDODelta)minorHet Werkt Sociaal collaborates with WDODelta on communication and participation for dijkversterking (dike reinforcement) projects in Zwolle, engaging residents in water management decisions.
- DoomijncoreDoomijn (childcare under Travers) co-organizes family events such as the Fietsweek with Het Werkt Sociaal, and its facilities are co-located at city farms (De Schellerhoeve has a Doomijn childcare center).
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Travers Welzijn competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cordaan: Large Amsterdam-based healthcare and social services organization supporting people with disabilities and elderly. Comparable in providing municipal-funded community-based social support with physical service locations.
- Leger des Heils (Salvation Army Netherlands): Major Dutch welfare organization operating shelters, social support, and community programs nationwide. Significantly larger but addresses overlapping population needs through community-embedded services.
- Amerpoort: Dutch social services provider supporting people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable in operating multi-site community-based programs funded primarily through municipal/Wlz arrangements.
- Humanitas DMH: Dutch non-profit providing social support, supported housing, and welfare services. Comparable business model of municipal contract-funded community services for vulnerable populations.
- Philadelphia Zorg: Dutch care provider supporting people with intellectual disabilities through community-based housing and day programs. Comparable in operating municipal-funded community touchpoints and people-intensive service delivery.
Direct peers
- Kwintes: Dutch non-profit providing social support, mental health care, and housing assistance across multiple regions. Comparable as a municipal-funded social welfare organization delivering community-embedded services to vulnerable populations.
- Lister: Dutch non-profit providing social support, housing, and recovery-oriented care. Comparable community-based service model and municipal funding structure serving individuals and families facing social challenges.
- SEZO: Amsterdam-based social welfare non-profit providing neighborhood social work, debt counseling, and community support. Directly comparable operating model centered on neighborhood-level social workers.
- De Regenboog Groep: Amsterdam non-profit providing community-based social services to vulnerable residents including homeless, youth, and marginalized groups. Comparable mission of strengthening community connection through direct neighborhood presence.
Regional players
- Ons Tweede Thuis: Dutch social services provider for people with intellectual disabilities and youth, primarily active in North Holland. Comparable municipal-funded social services model but operates in a different region than Zwolle.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Travers Welzijn social profiles
Digital presenceTravers Welzijn financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Travers Welzijn leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Travers Welzijn subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
Travers Welzijn funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Travers Welzijn 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 Travers Welzijn
What does Travers Welzijn do?
Travers Welzijn (operating as Het Werkt Sociaal) delivers community-based social welfare services across Zwolle and Heerde in the Netherlands, including neighborhood mediation, youth work, neighborhood center programming, city farm–based nature and childcare activities, early childhood education support, and community building programs. The organization operates more than 100 social workers and a network of neighborhood centers, youth centers, and city farms as physical service delivery points, funded primarily through municipal contracts with the Municipality of Zwolle.
Is Travers Welzijn a public or private company?
Travers Welzijn is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Travers Welzijn founded?
Travers Welzijn was founded in 1996. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Travers Welzijn based?
Travers Welzijn is headquartered in Zwolle, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Travers Welzijn make money?
One revenue line is on record: municipal government funding.
Who are Travers Welzijn's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cordaan, Leger des Heils (Salvation Army Netherlands), Amerpoort, Humanitas DMH and Philadelphia Zorg. Direct peers are Kwintes, Lister, SEZO and De Regenboog Groep. Ons Tweede Thuis is listed as a regional player.
Does Travers Welzijn have an API?
No public API is recorded for Travers Welzijn.
What industry is Travers Welzijn in?
Travers Welzijn's product category is Community Social Work and Welfare Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAL, Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAGACAC, Community Health, Prevention & Health Education. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.