De Harde Leerschool

What De Harde Leerschool does

De Harde Leerschool is a Dutch non-profit foundation (Stichting, KVK: 63539292) founded in 2015 and headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The organization delivers sports-based behavioral intervention programs that combine physical training, personal development, group work, and structured coaching to help participants — adults (18+) through the Basisprogramma and at-risk youth (14-17) through Back in the Game — regain daily rhythm, self-confidence, and pathways into work or education. The methodology is a proprietary ten-week (adult) or flexibly tailored (youth) protocol anchored in sports as the medium for behavioral change rather than sport-specific skill development.

The operating model is a referral-driven professional services delivery system. Participants are referred primarily through partnerships with Dutch municipalities and government social services, which also serve as the principal funding channel. Programs are executed at partner sports facilities — Rugby Club Roosendaal Commando Combinatie in West Brabant and EZRC Oemoemenoe in Zeeland being named venues — with registration handled via direct email to program coordinators. Employer partnerships create a placement pathway for program graduates, and individual/corporate donors, including a 'vriend van' membership tier, supplement operating funding.

The organization reports cumulative participation of more than 1,000 participants since 2015 and an ecosystem of more than 80 partner organizations across municipalities, government agencies, employers, donors, and sports clubs. Disclosed outcome metrics include 82% of participants taking active steps toward work or education, 71% experiencing reduced contact with police/justice, and 65% reporting increased self-confidence. The organization's geographic footprint is domestic Netherlands only, with active expansion signaled via the Hart van West Brabant 9 and Zeeland 11 cohorts scheduled for September 2026.

Name

De Harde Leerschool

Legal name

De Harde Leerschool

Website

https://dehardeleerschool.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

De Harde Leerschool is a Dutch non-profit foundation that runs sports-based behavioral intervention programs for at-risk adults and youth, funded by municipal partnerships and delivered at partner sports venues across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Intervention Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Child and Youth Services (62411), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Support & Intervention Services (PBIS/Behavior Coaching) (EDAJALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Dropout Prevention, Re-Engagement & Truancy Intervention Programs (EDAJAEAD)

Keywords

• Sports-based behavioral intervention
• Youth intervention programs
• Social reintegration services
• Behavioral coaching programs
• Community sports programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government/Municipality Funding: Programs are funded through partnerships with municipalities and government agencies. The organization receives referrals and funding from municipalities to deliver behavioral intervention programs to participants referred by social services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

De Harde Leerschool is a Dutch non-profit foundation that delivers sports-based behavioral intervention programs to help people who are stuck, searching, or have lost their way in life. The core offering consists of two programs: a 10-week Basisprogramma (18+) for adults combining sports, personal development, group work, and preparation for work or education; and Back in the Game (14-17 jaar), a flexible program for at-risk youth working with schools and parents on rhythm, behavior, and motivation. Programs are delivered at partner sports clubs across the Netherlands and are funded through municipal and government partnerships.

Product overview

De Harde Leerschool operates as a behavioral intervention organization offering two core programs: Basisprogramma (18+) and Back in the Game (14-17 years). The organization uses sports as the medium for behavioral change, not to become good at sport, but to become stronger in life. Both programs follow a ten-week intensive structure focusing on building structure, behavior, health, and future, combining clear coaching with a safe group environment and daily rhythm. The Basisprogramma targets young adults and adults seeking to build a new chance in life, while Back in the Game provides flexible, customized support for at-risk youth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Basisprogramma (18+): A 10-week behavioral intervention program for adults (18+) focused on building structure, behavior, health, and future through sports, personal development, group work, and preparation for work or education.
• Back in the Game (14-17jr)

Products and services

• Basisprogramma (18+) A ten-week behavioral intervention program for young adults and adults (18+) who are stuck, searching, or have lost their way in life. Combines sports, personal development, group work, coaching, and preparation for work or education, using sports as the medium for behavioral change. Participants are referred through municipal partnerships or contact program coordinators directly.
• Back in the Game (14-17 jaar) A flexible behavioral intervention program for at-risk youth aged 14-17 who are at risk of dropping out of the school system. Duration and intensity are tailored to individual needs, with collaboration alongside schools and parents to work on rhythm, behavior, and motivation.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supportive.

• Gemeenten en overheidsinstanties (Municipalities and Government Agencies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch municipalities and government agencies refer participants to De Harde Leerschool's behavioral intervention programs and provide funding. Over 80 partner organizations collaborate with the organization to help citizens regain control of their lives.
• Werkgevers (Employers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployers partner with De Harde Leerschool to hire program graduates or provide workplace experience opportunities, helping participants transition to work or education after completing the program.
• Rugby Club Roosendaal Commando Combinatie (RC RCC)supportiveOthersSports club partner hosting the 'Hart van West Brabant 9' program starting September 21, 2026. Provides training facilities for the sports-based behavioral intervention programs.
• EZRC Oemoemenoe MiddelburgsupportiveOthersSports facility partner hosting the 'Zeeland 11' program starting September 15, 2026. Provides training facilities for the sports-based behavioral intervention programs in the Zeeland region.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Boys Town: US organization providing behavioral health, family support, and youth development services for at-risk children and families. Comparable target population and structured intervention model, though not sports-based.
• Street League: UK charity using sport (primarily football and netball) combined with structured training to help NEET 14–24-year-olds into work or education. Highly comparable model — sports-as-medium, government-funded referrals, and employability outcomes.
• Fight for Peace: International NGO using boxing and martial arts to support at-risk youth in London and Rio, with pathways into education and employment. Comparable sports-based behavioral intervention model serving vulnerable youth via structured, multi-stage programs.
• Youth Sport Trust: UK charity using PE and sport to improve life outcomes for young people, including wellbeing, behavior, and school engagement. Closely parallels De Harde Leerschool's mission to use sport as a lever for behavior change in young people.

Broad incumbents

• The Prince's Trust: Major UK youth-development charity supporting 11–30-year-olds into education, training, and employment. Comparable target demographic and public-sector funding model, but does not center on sports as its medium.
• Right to Play: Global organization using sport and play to educate and empower children in disadvantaged communities. Comparable sports-as-tool philosophy and youth focus, but operates internationally with much broader scope and a stronger child-protection framing.
• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global foundation funding sport-for-development projects that tackle social issues including education, health, and employability. Comparable sports-as-intervention thesis; functions primarily as a funder rather than direct service provider.

Regional players

• Johan Cruyff Foundation: Dutch foundation building sports facilities and programs for children, including those with disabilities or in vulnerable positions. Strong regional comparability — same Dutch geography, same sports-for-development ethos, but broader (facility-building) rather than behavioral intervention.
• Klabu Foundation: Dutch nonprofit using sports clubs to create community and integration opportunities for refugees and displaced people. Same Dutch geography and sports-for-social-impact framing, but with a refugee-integration rather than behavioral-intervention focus.

Emerging players

• Sport2Life UK: UK charity using sport to mentor and educate 10–18-year-olds at risk of exclusion, crime, or poor mental health. Comparable sports-plus-life-skills model for at-risk youth in a smaller footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@stichtingdehardeleerschool
• Facebookfacebook.com/dehardeleerschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/de-harde-leerschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/dehardeleerschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about De Harde Leerschool