Municipality of Zele

What Municipality of Zele does

Gemeente Zele (Municipality of Zele) is a Belgian local government entity headquartered at Markt 50, 9240 Zele, in the province of East Flanders (Oost-Vlaanderen), delivering public services to the residents of the Zele municipality. Its core offering is a unified municipal government portal (www.zele.be) supplemented by eight physical service locations including the town hall, ROTZ - Huis van het Kind (Markt 45), Bibliotheek Zele, LDC De Welle, the Sociale Dienst, CVO Groeipunt adult education centre, Fietsbieb bike library, and Sporthal De Klodde. Service clusters span childcare coordination (Loket Kinderopvang integrated with Opvang Vlaanderen), family and youth support (ROTZ, Kansenplatform, BOA cooperation framework), education (8 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, Uilenspel homework support, Brugfiguren school liaisons), health and welfare (first-line psychologist sessions, CGG Schelde Dender Waas prevention, allowances for families with special needs), digital inclusion (Digipunt, DIGI-Welle, Digimobiel, Digitaal Vragenuurtje), and newcomer integration (inburgering and NT2 Dutch language courses via Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering Oost-Vlaanderen).

The underlying technology is a standard government web portal with an e-loket digital counter for 24/7 administrative submissions, cookie and GDPR consent management, and Matomo analytics for traffic measurement. The Kansenplatform functions as a digital and organisational layer connecting 50+ partner organisations. Operations are funded through a combination of local taxes and levies, subsidies from the Vlaamse Regering and federal/EU programmes (notably the 4,014.57 euro annual Loket Kinderopvang subsidy from Agentschap Opgroeien and BOA-Boost grants), service fees for selected programmes (psychologist at 11 euro/session, Fietsbieb 30 euro/year, Knuffelturnen 20 euro/course, childcare operator subsidies of 300-400 euro base indexed annually), and a 37 million euro Meerjarenplan 2026-2031 multi-year capital investment envelope. The municipality operates under Belgian local government law with no parent company or private ownership structure, governed by an elected municipal council.

Name

Municipality of Zele

Legal name

Gemeente Zele

Website

https://zele.be

Company type

Public

Founded year

1800

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gemeente Zele is a Belgian municipal government entity in East Flanders delivering public services including childcare coordination, family support, education, welfare, digital inclusion, and newcomer integration to residents of Zele through a central web portal and eight physical service locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government and Public Administration

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Mayor/City Manager & General Administration (BPAIACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), Government Digital Service & eGovernment (Service Delivery, IDs, Portals) (BPAIAAAE), Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK)

Keywords

• Municipal public services
• Childcare coordination
• Family welfare services
• Local government administration
• Community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Zele

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Local Taxes and Levies: The municipality collects local taxes and levies from residents and businesses within Zele to fund public services and infrastructure.
2. Government Subsidies and Grants: The municipality receives subsidies from higher government levels including the Vlaamse Regering (Flemish Government), Agentschap Opgroeien for childcare, and various EU and federal programs. The Meerjarenplan 2026-2031 involves investment of approximately 37 million euros.
3. Childcare Subsidies: The municipality provides subsidies to childcare operators: 300 euros base amount for family care, 400 euros base amount for group care, with annual 1% indexation.
4. Allowances for Families: The municipality pays allowances to families with children with specific support needs, amounts ranging from 75 to 300 euros based on support level points.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Municipality of Zele (Gemeente Zele) is a Belgian local government entity delivering public services to residents of Zele in East Flanders. Its core offering encompasses administrative services, family and childcare coordination through the ROTZ - Huis van het Kind hub, education support, social welfare programs, digital inclusion services (Digibanken initiative), community development, and infrastructure. Services are delivered through physical service points (town hall, ROTZ, library, community centers), the e-loket digital portal, mobile outreach (Digimobiel), and an extensive partner network coordinated via the Kansenplatform.

Product overview

The Municipality of Zele operates a unified municipal government portal that serves as the primary digital interface for citizen services. The offering is a single integrated platform with multiple service areas managed by different municipal teams. Key service clusters include: ROTZ - Huis van het Kind (Family and Child Hub) offering childcare coordination, parenting support, and family services; Team Opgroeien en Samenleven (Community Development Team) providing social support, education assistance, and integration services; the Digibanken initiative (Digipunt, DIGI-Welle, Digimobiel, Digitaal Vragenuurtje) delivering digital literacy and inclusion services; and various administrative services for childcare, health, education, and community welfare. The municipality also coordinates the Kansenplatform (Opportunity Platform) and Loket Kinderopvang (Childcare Desk) as specialized service interfaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROTZ - Huis van het Kind: Information and meeting place for Zeelse families with children up to 24 years, providing support on childcare, school, upbringing, language support, leisure, and relations.
• Team Opgroeien en Samenleven
• Kansenplatform

Products and services

• Gemeente Zele Website Portal and E-loket The primary municipal government portal providing citizens with access to administrative services, community information, news, and digital service requests across areas including childcare, healthcare, education, social welfare, and local governance. Includes the e-loket (electronic counter) for 24/7 digital administrative procedures such as subsidy requests and municipal forms.
• ROTZ - Huis van het Kind (House of the Child) One-stop information and meeting place for Zeelse families with children up to 24 years. Services include childcare information, parenting support, school support, language assistance, leisure activities, relationships counseling, Groeipakket (growth package) assistance, and first-line psychology. Open Monday 17-19, Tuesday 9-12, Thursday 13-16.
• Kinderopvang (Childcare Coordination) Childcare information and support services including Local Childcare Consultation (LOK), childcare operator information, recruitment support for childcare workers, and income-based pricing coordination via Opvang Vlaanderen. Operators receive subsidies of 300 euros base (family care) and 400 euros base (group care) with annual 1% indexation.
• Digipunt (Digital Help Point) Free digital assistance points in the municipality where citizens without computers or internet can access public WiFi, computers, printing services, and receive help with digital questions.
• DIGI-Welle (Digital Literacy Lessons) Free digital literacy lesson series teaching citizens how to use smartphones, tablets, computers, and various apps, held monthly at LDC De Welle (Koevliet 3). Includes digital helpdesks and various community activities.
• Digimobiel (Mobile Digital Help Service) Mobile digital assistance service staffed by digicoaches Hilde Van Kerckhove and Vanessa Schelfhout that travels to associations, organizations, or neighborhoods to assist citizens who cannot easily visit a fixed Digipunt.
• Digitaal Vragenuurtje (Digital Question Hour) Free individual digital assistance sessions where Digi volunteers help citizens with questions about smartphones, tablets, or computers at the library (Lokerenbaan 41) or LDC De Welle.
• Gezondheid (Municipal Health Services) Municipal health services including Healthy Municipality program, wheelchair lending, doctor on-call services, mental health support, organ donation registration, and prevention programs.
• Onderwijs (Education Coordination Services) Educational services including primary and secondary school information, parent committees, after-school care, adult education coordination (NT2 Dutch courses), art education coordination with Kunstacademie Ter Beuken and Academie Hamme, and school allowance payments.
• Huiswerkbegeleiding (Homework Assistance via Uilenspel) Free school support through Uilenspel volunteers who assist children from vulnerable families with homework, reading, and learning through play, operating in partnership with De Sprong, GO! Basisschool Bunderbos, and Pius X-basisschool.
• Fietsbieb (Bike Library) Second-hand children's bicycle lending service at 30 euros per year, with reduced membership of 10 euros/year for families with increased reimbursement. Promotes affordable and sustainable cycling for children up to 12 years.
• Lokaal Samenwerkingsverband BOA (After-school Care Collaboration) Local collaboration network for after-school care and activities (BOA) bringing together parents, children, youth organizations, cultural, sports, and welfare partners to create integrated after-school offerings. Coordinated by BOA-coordinator Maaike.
• Kansenplatform (Opportunity Platform) Network and collaboration platform of Zeelse organizations working to strengthen and provide more opportunities for vulnerable children, youth, and families through better cooperation. Chaired by Zeycan Köse. Organizes network events twice yearly.
• Loket Kinderopvang (Childcare Service Desk) Neutral information and support point for parents seeking childcare, providing access to Opvang Vlaanderen's platform and local childcare location overview. Parents can view all childcare locations for babies and toddlers in Zele and submit applications directly.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Fietsbieb provides affordable bike access for children up to 12 years at 30 euros/year (10 euros with increased reimbursement), promoting sustainable and affordable mobility.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered important, core and minor.

• Uilenspel vzwimportantStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Uilenspel provides free homework support for children from vulnerable families. Started in Zele in January 2024 in cooperation with Gemeentelijke school De Sprong, GO! Basisschool Bunderbos, and Pius X-basisschool. Contact: Anke Wulteputte, [email protected].
• Kansenplatform ZelecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2021Network and cooperation structure of various partners and actors actively engaged in family and chances policy in Zele, to create maximum chances for (vulnerable) children, youth, and families. Partners include schools, childcare providers, welfare organizations, youth groups, cultural and sports partners.
• Zeycan Köse (Kansenplatform Chair)coreOthers · 14 October 2021Zeycan Köse serves as chair of the Kansenplatform, carrying out the platform's vision and ambition. She was contacted by the municipality due to her personal and professional experiences in the social sector.
• Opvang VlaanderencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2020Collaboration with Opvang Vlaanderen for the Loket Kinderopvang, a neutral information and support point for parents seeking childcare. Parents can view all childcare locations and submit applications through the platform. The platform provides overview of all locations for babies and toddlers in Zele.
• Brugfiguren (Bridge Figures)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridge figures Tessa Moens, Imke Sichien, and Elif Tepekuyu serve as neutral trusted persons connecting parents, schools, neighborhoods, and ROTZ. They are active in various primary schools including Pius X, De Kleuterkouter, De Sprong, and De Kouter-basis.
• CGG Schelde Dender WaasimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGG (Centrum voor Geestelijke Gezondheidszorg) provides early intervention and prevention services for youth aged 12-25 dealing with substance use, gaming, or gambling. Also provides TABAD (Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs) prevention for the entire Waas and Dender region.
• Fietsbieb / beweging.netminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with beweging.net to operate the Fietsbieb, lending second-hand children's bikes for 30 euros/year (10 euros with increased reimbursement). Located at Oudburgstraat 3A, open third Saturday monthly.
• Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering Oost-VlaanderenimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides inburgering (integration) programs and Dutch lessons for newcomers and non-native speakers. Offers trajectory guidance and Dutch courses at the Social Service (Padweg 4a) on Mondays 9-18 by appointment.
• CVO GroeipuntimportantChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdult education center offering Dutch as second language (NT2) courses and other vocational training at Koevliet 2C, 9240 Zele. Phone: 052 45 92 80.
• Annelore Adriaenssens (Eerstelijnspsycholoog)importantOthersFirst-line psychologist providing individual sessions at ROTZ for (expecting) parents dealing with topics like loss of confidence, relationship changes, anxiety, or bonding. Sessions cost 11 euros (4 euros with increased reimbursement), first session free.
• OKO&ZO vzwcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily and group childcare provider in Zele operating at Rotstraat 20 and Kouterstraat 114. Also provides out-of-school care. Contact: [email protected], 052 45 13 32.
• Helan KinderopvangcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChildcare provider actively recruiting childcare workers in Zele. Contact: [email protected], 03 201 84 75. Part of Helan group offering various childcare locations.
• i-menscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily childcare provider in Zele. Contact: Marijke Van Slycken, [email protected], 09 292 87 12.
• UNIA Regio GentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterfederal Equal Opportunities Center providing services to report discrimination or file complaints. Covers criteria including gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, race, and more. Free number: 0800 12 800.
• OKO&ZO vzw (Buitenschoolse Opvang)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOut-of-school care provider at Rotstraat 20 and Kouterstraat 114, part of the OKO&ZO network. Part of the BOA (Buitenschoolse Opvang en Activiteiten) local cooperation framework.
• Kunstacademie Ter Beuken (Lokeren)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArt academy providing music and word arts lessons for children and adults in buildings of Gemeentelijke School De Sprong, Bookmolenstraat 2, Zele.
• Academie HammeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArt academy providing visual arts lessons for children (6-17 years) at various locations including De Kouter-Basis and schools in Avermaat, Durmen, Huivelde, and Heikant.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gemeente Dendermonde: Larger East Flanders city administering identical statutory portfolios (onderwijs, kinderopvang, welzijn, e-loket). Comparable on channel mix and partner-network structure.
• Gemeente Temse: Waasland municipality providing identical Flemish local-government services (childcare, family services, education, welfare). Strong comparable for service-portfolio benchmarking.
• Gemeente Hamme: Neighbouring municipality in the Waasland region delivering the same Flemish welfare, education, and childcare portfolio. Zele already partners with Academie Hamme, evidencing direct service-area overlap.
• Gemeente Waasmunster: Comparable small municipality in East Flanders with similar service mix including Huis van het Kind-style family support and digital inclusion offerings.
• Gemeente Lokeren: Adjacent East Flanders municipality operating the same Flemish local-government mandate (childcare, family support, education coordination, digital counter). Direct functional peer for service-delivery benchmarking.
• Gemeente Kruibeke: Small municipality adjacent to the Waasland delivering parallel childcare, family-support, and digital-inclusion programmes. Comparable scale and demographic profile.
• Gemeente Berlare: Small East Flanders municipality offering parallel family services, local childcare counter, and digital inclusion programmes. Closest peer on population scale and service scope.

Broad incumbents

• Gemeente Beveren: Larger East Flanders municipality with broader administrative portfolio and longer-established service structure. Useful as an incumbent benchmark for service maturity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gemeentezele
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gemeentebestuur-zele

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Municipality of Zele