Refugee Team
Refugee Team is a Dutch social enterprise delivering civic integration, language, participation, and employment services to refugees and status holders under municipal contracts, operating 10+ regional offices across Brabant, Limburg, and Gelderland.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersTilburg, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Refugee Team does
Refugee Team is a Dutch social enterprise founded in 2016 that delivers civic integration (inburgering), participation, and social guidance services to refugees and status holders in the Netherlands under contract with municipalities. The organization operates from its Tilburg headquarters (Spoorlaan 29, 5038 CB) and runs regional service delivery offices in at least 10 Dutch municipalities spanning Brabant, Limburg, and Gelderland, including Breda, Eindhoven, Maastricht-Heuvelland, Venlo, Duiven, Veenray, Veenendaal, Zevenaar, and Bergen op Zoom. Its portfolio comprises three core service lines — Inburgering (integration programming with Blik op Werk-certified language lessons from housing key to paid employment), Participatie (volunteer work, activities, and networking from day one), and Maatschappelijke Begeleiding (social guidance toward self-reliance) — augmented by supporting programs including Taalmaatje (language buddies), Video Vrienden (video calling), Het Clubhuis (creative atelier), multiple MDT youth programs (Samen Scoren, VVV Set Your Life Goals, Tell Your Story), and vocational training (SitY Academy painter trajectories, Repair Café Venlo).
Refugee Team firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Refugee Team
- Legal name
- Refugee Team
- Website
- https://refugeeteam.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Refugee Team is a Dutch social enterprise delivering civic integration, language, participation, and employment services to refugees and status holders under municipal contracts, operating 10+ regional offices across Brabant, Limburg, and Gelderland.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Refugee Team industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Civic Integration Services
- NAICS
- Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Refugee, IDP & Migration Humanitarian Assistance (BPAGAAAH)
Keywords
Where Refugee Team is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tilburg
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
Refugee Team business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Municipal contracts for civic integration services: Refugee Team operates as a social enterprise funded primarily through contracts with Dutch municipalities. Municipalities engage Refugee Team to deliver the full civic integration program (inburgering) — from housing support and language lessons to social guidance and employment placement. Revenue is generated via service contracts with government entities rather than direct fees from end users.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Refugee Team product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Refugee Team is a Dutch social enterprise that delivers integrated civic integration (inburgering) services for refugees and status holders under contracts with Dutch municipalities. Its core service bundle covers language training, social guidance, volunteer and participation activities, and employment placement, guiding participants from receiving their house key through to paid employment. The organization operates from regional offices in Tilburg, Breda, Venlo, Maastricht, Eindhoven, and other Dutch municipalities, delivering programs such as Inburgering, Participatie, Maatschappelijke Begeleiding, Taalmaatje, Video Vrienden, and several MDT youth trajectories.
Product overview
Refugee Team is a social enterprise offering an integrated suite of integration and participation services for refugees and status holders in the Netherlands. The core offering consists of three interconnected services: Inburgering (integration programming with Blik op Werk-certified language lessons), Participatie (participation through volunteer work and activities), and Maatschappelijke Begeleiding (social guidance for self-reliance). Supporting programs include Taalmaatje and Video Vrienden for language practice, Het Clubhuis for creative development, and various MDT (Maatschappelijke Diensttijd) youth programs like Tell Your Story, VVV Set Your Life Goals, and Samen Scoren. Vocational training is provided through SitY Academy painter trajectories and Repair Café workshops. The portfolio operates across multiple Dutch municipalities including Tilburg, Breda, Venlo, Eindhoven, Maastricht, and others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Taalmaatje: Program pairing status holders with Dutch citizens for 8-week conversational language practice
- Video Vrienden
- Het Clubhuis
- Tell Your Story
- VVV Set Your Life Goals
- Samen Scoren
Products and services
- Inburgering (Integration Program) An innovative integration program that guides status holders from house key to paid employment, providing language lessons, workshops, and personal guidance under Dutch Wet Inburgering. Designed for refugees and status holders assigned to participating municipalities.
- Participatie (Participation) Activities, volunteer work, and networking events offering status holders a place to be active in Dutch society from day one. Targets status holders needing social activation and community integration.
- Maatschappelijke Begeleiding (Social Guidance) Social guidance program guiding integration participants as quickly and effectively as possible toward self-reliance, supporting practical matters and emotional needs. Targets status holders and recent arrivals needing day-to-day support.
- Taalmaatje (Language Buddy) Program matching status holders with Dutch citizens for 8 weeks of conversations around various themes, helping newcomers practice Dutch and learn about Dutch culture. Targets status holders needing conversational Dutch practice.
- Video Vrienden (Video Friends) Video calling program pairing newcomers with Dutch volunteers for weekly conversations to practice Dutch and build cross-cultural friendships. Targets status holders needing remote language practice and social connection.
- Het Clubhuis Creative atelier at Spoorlaan 29 Tilburg where participants discover talents, meet new people, and practice Dutch through creative and educational activities. Targets status holders in the Tilburg area.
- Maatschappelijke Diensttijd (MDT) - Tell Your Story Creative MDT trajectory in Venlo offering 18 weeks of workshops in painting, photography, and music for young newcomers aged 18-30 to express themselves artistically.
- Maatschappelijke Diensttijd (MDT) - VVV Set Your Life Goals Sportive MDT trajectory in Venlo using sport to help young people discover talents, build confidence, and set life goals in collaboration with VVV Foundation. Targets young newcomers aged 18-30.
- Maatschappelijke Diensttijd (MDT) - Samen Scoren Sportive 10-week project in Eindhoven combining weekly football training at FC Eindhoven with workshops to promote social integration through sports clubs. Targets young newcomers in the Eindhoven region.
- SitY Academy Schilders-traject Work-study trajectory combining theory and practice to prepare newcomers for jobs as painters, including professional language training and workplace experience. Targets newcomers seeking vocational training in Tilburg.
- Repair Café Venlo Workshop where participants from the Z-route gain first work experience in the Netherlands, learning sewing skills and improving Dutch while helping repair clothing. Targets Z-route participants in Venlo.
- Starttraject Inburgering+ Early integration starting program in collaboration with Regio Hart van Brabant, where participants work on their perspective through active workshops, build social networks, and engage in volunteer work or internships. Targets status holders in the Hart van Brabant region.
- Jongerentraject Tilburg (Youth Trajectory) Youth trajectory in Tilburg for participants aged 18-23, designed to address the specific needs of young newcomers who often fall between the cracks of the current integration system. Includes intensive language lessons five days per week combined with workshops.
- Employer Placement Service (Werkgevers) Service for Dutch employers who are considering hiring a status holder, providing guidance on expectations and how Refugee Team's job coaches contribute to smooth placement. Targets employers in electronics, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and other sectors.
Quantifiable outcome
- 43% of civic integration completers in Venlo secured paid employment (vs. 31% national average for 2020 CBS cohort)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Refugee Team
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Refugee Team technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Refugee Team partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Gemeente BredacoreGemeente Breda contracted Refugee Team to open a location serving the Z-route participation program, officially launching in May 2026.
- WerkvloerTaalminorWerkvloerTaal collaborated with Refugee Team to develop the youth trajectory for newcomers aged 18-23 in Tilburg, designed to address the specific needs of young people who often fall between the cracks of the current integration system.
- Gemeente MaastrichtcoreGemeente Maastricht partnered with Refugee Team to open a new location in the Maastricht-Heuvelland region in February 2026.
- SitY AcademycoreSitY Academy runs painter learn-work trajectories in collaboration with municipalities and Refugee Team. The 15-week program combines theory and practice, preparing newcomers for painter roles. The second round resulted in all 6 participants advancing to trial placements.
- Thebe RuitersbosminorParticipants in Breda support green maintenance operations at Thebe Ruitersbos as part of their participation activities.
- Chassé TheaterminorBreda-based participants volunteer at Chassé Theater as part of their civic integration participation activities.
- MEZZ (Breda)minorMEZZ in Breda provides volunteer opportunities for Refugee Team participants.
- Co. De CultuurontwikkelaarminorCo. De Cultuurontwikkelaar in Venlo hosts the 'Tell Your Story' creative MDT program, offering 18 weeks of workshops in painting, photography, and music for young newcomers aged 18-30.
- FC EindhovenminorFC Eindhoven partners with Refugee Team for the 'Samen Scoren' MDT program: 10 weeks of weekly football training combined with workshops to help young newcomers integrate through sports and connect with local sports clubs.
- VVV Foundation / Stichting Life GoalsminorVVV Foundation partners with Refugee Team for the 'VVV Set Your Life Goals' MDT program in Venlo, using sports to help young newcomers develop talents, confidence, resilience, and social skills.
- Avans HogeschoolminorRefugee Team collaborated with Avans Hogeschool's Disruptive Events minor to deliver a 3-day interactive program on EU and Dutch asylum policy. Some students subsequently signed up as Video Vrienden volunteers.
- Gilde OpleidingenminorGilde Opleidingen collaborates with Refugee Team and the municipality Venlo on a pre-training program (voorschakeltraject) that prepares participants for Dutch education, enabling them to transition to vocational training programs.
- Tante WonnieminorSurinamese restaurant in Den Bosch employs Refugee Team participants as kitchen and service staff, with coach Mazen providing ongoing support.
- Willem IIminorAmateur football club Willem II in Tilburg has hosted Refugee Team participants as volunteers for multiple years. Several participants have transitioned from volunteer roles to education and employment.
- PhilipscorePhilips' Werkgelegenheidsplan (WGP) provides work experience placements for job seekers with distance to the labor market. Refugee Team participants have been placed in Philips positions, with some converting to permanent contracts. Multiple participants (Shewit, Ayman) were hired through this program.
- Regio Hart van BrabantcoreRegio Hart van Brabant municipalities partner with Refugee Team for the Starttraject Inburgering+ program, delivering integrated civic integration services across the region.
- KinetronminorKinetron, a Tilburg-based MKB company developing sustainable micro-systems, has employed Refugee Team participants Senait and Saghar as assembly workers. The company values motivation over diploma requirements.
- EtemfminorTilburg metalworking company Etemf has employed multiple Refugee Team participants since 2019, including Yasser, Omar, and Fitsum, offering practical work experience and BBL-opleiding pathways.
- Gemeente VenlocoreGemeente Venlo is the primary municipal partner, contracting Refugee Team for the full civic integration program. The unique model places full inburgering with one organization, from housing to language to employment.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Refugee Team competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cordaid: Large international development organisation with active Dutch integration and inclusion programs; broader portfolio and longer history, but overlapping with refugee integration and social cohesion work.
- Caritas Nederland: Dutch welfare and humanitarian organisation providing social services including newcomer support; broader mission but overlapping services on shelter referral, social guidance and community support for refugees.
Direct peers
- VluchtelingenWerk Nederland: The largest Dutch refugee support NGO; provides civic integration support, social guidance and advocacy across the Netherlands, directly competing for the same municipal integration contracts that fund Refugee Team.
- UAF (Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF): Dutch foundation supporting refugees pursuing higher education and career entry in the Netherlands; overlap with Refugee Team's employment and language-integration work, particularly on skilled-status-holder pathways.
- Stichting Wender: Dutch civic integration organisation delivering inburgering and participation programs in a comparable end-to-end model; a direct peer contracting with Dutch municipalities for integration services.
Others
- Divosa: Association of directors in Dutch social services domains; not a direct competitor, but a key ecosystem participant that shapes municipal procurement frameworks and influences contract design Refugee Team depends on.
Emerging players
- Refugee Talent Hub: Specialised social enterprise connecting refugee professionals with Dutch employers; narrower scope than Refugee Team (employment-led), but operates in the same Dutch employer-services space and competes for talent.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Refugee Team social profiles
Digital presenceRefugee Team compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Refugee Team financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Refugee Team leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Refugee Team funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Refugee Team 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 Refugee Team
What does Refugee Team do?
Refugee Team is a Dutch social enterprise that delivers integrated civic integration (inburgering) services for refugees and status holders under contracts with Dutch municipalities. Its core service bundle covers language training, social guidance, volunteer and participation activities, and employment placement, guiding participants from receiving their house key through to paid employment. The organization operates from regional offices in Tilburg, Breda, Venlo, Maastricht, Eindhoven, and other Dutch municipalities, delivering programs such as Inburgering, Participatie, Maatschappelijke Begeleiding, Taalmaatje, Video Vrienden, and several MDT youth trajectories.
Is Refugee Team a public or private company?
Refugee Team is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Refugee Team founded?
Refugee Team was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Refugee Team based?
Refugee Team is headquartered in Tilburg, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Refugee Team make money?
One revenue line is on record: municipal contracts for civic integration services.
Who are Refugee Team's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cordaid and Caritas Nederland. Direct peers are VluchtelingenWerk Nederland, UAF (Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF) and Stichting Wender. Divosa is listed as an others. Refugee Talent Hub is listed as an emerging player.
Does Refugee Team have an API?
No public API is recorded for Refugee Team.
What industry is Refugee Team in?
Refugee Team's product category is Civic Integration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAHAI, Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment), with a secondary code of BPAGAEAI, Refugee & Immigrant Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.