Don Bosco Youth-Net

What Don Bosco Youth-Net does

Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw (DBYN) is a Belgian-registered international non-profit association founded in 2001 and headquartered in Heverlee (Leuven), Belgium. It operates as a coordinating network of 18 Salesian youth organisations across 16 European countries, providing pan-European programmes including the Summer Exchange of Animators, DBYN Building Citizens (citizenship and human rights education), the Don Bosco Youth Incubator (social entrepreneurship), and the Young Pilgrims of Hope project on cultural heritage and European values. Its core products also include a catalogue of thematic publications (VALUE, DIGNITY, Jabber Talk, HUJAMBO, "I (am) like You!", "F is for Fundraising") and the AnimaKit mobile application (iOS and Android), launched in summer 2024 in partnership with Bosco Base.

The technology stack is intentionally lightweight: G-suite for Nonpowers via Google for Nonprofits powers internal coordination, Weebly hosts the main website and project microsites, and AnimaKit is distributed through the App Store and Google Play. The AnimaKit app offers a collection of games, activities, a dice roller, and a randomiser for animators, with multilingual coverage (English, Dutch, Hungarian, French live; German, Italian, Spanish in development). No AI, proprietary models, or data flywheel mechanics underpin the technology layer.

DBYN is funded almost exclusively through institutional grants rather than commercial revenue. Its primary funding streams are the European Union's Erasmus+ programme and the Council of Europe's European Youth Foundation, supplemented by project-specific grants (e.g., Droomfonds for the Hi There! project, European Youth Foundation support for Don Bosco 4 Refugees and individual publications). The international secretariat is a small team of approximately seven staff, including the General Secretary, Project Coordinator, Fundraising Officer, and interns, while the broader network collectively mobilises over 1,000 employees and 9,000 volunteers to serve more than 125,000 children and young people. Activities are offered free to member organisations and beneficiaries; pricing is not applicable to a non-commercial model.

Name

Don Bosco Youth-Net

Legal name

Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw

Website

https://donboscoyouth.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw is a Belgian non-profit network coordinating 18 Salesian youth organisations across 16 European countries to deliver international exchanges, training, advocacy, and youth work resources, funded primarily through EU Erasmus+ and Council of Europe grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit youth network services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Open Courseware & Course Modules (OCW) (EDAGAJAB)

Keywords

• Youth network coordination
• International youth exchanges
• Non-formal youth education
• Youth advocacy programmes
• Social entrepreneurship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Heverlee (Leuven)

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. European Union Funding (Erasmus+): The international secretariat of Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw is financially supported by the European Union through its Erasmus+ programme. This supports international youth activities, training courses, exchanges, and network operations.
2. Council of Europe Funding (European Youth Foundation): The international secretariat receives financial support from the Council of Europe through its European Youth Foundation for network activities and youth work initiatives.
3. Project-based Grants: DBYN applies for and manages project-specific grants from institutions like the European Youth Foundation for initiatives such as the Don Bosco 4 Refugees project and other advocacy campaigns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw is a non-profit network that coordinates 18 Salesian youth organisations across 16 European countries to deliver international youth exchanges, training courses, voluntary service programmes, citizenship and human rights education actions, social entrepreneurship training, and shared resources such as the AnimaKit mobile app. Its activities are delivered through member organisations and supported by European Union (Erasmus+) and Council of Europe (European Youth Foundation) grants.

Product overview

Don Bosco Youth-Net ivzw is a European network of Salesian youth organisations operating a portfolio of interconnected programmes and tools for youth work. The core offerings include AnimaKit — a mobile app (iOS/Android) of games and animator tools launched in summer 2024 in partnership with Bosco Base — the Summer Exchange of Animators programme, the DBYN Building Citizens advocacy and human rights education strand, and the Don Bosco Youth Incubator for social entrepreneurship. These are complemented by a network of themed publications (VALUE, DIGNITY, Jabber Talk, HUJAMBO, I (am) like You!, F is for Fundraising), a merchandise webshop via Spreadshirt, and the Young Pilgrims of Hope project on cultural heritage and European values. All actions are grounded in the pedagogical system of Don Bosco with a tradition of over 170 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AnimaKit: An app for Games and Tools for animators, launched in summer 2024 in partnership with Bosco Base. Available on iOS and Android with games, activities, dice roller, and randomiser for youth workers and educators.
• Summer Exchange of Animators
• DBYN Building Citizens
• Don Bosco Youth Incubator

Products and services

• AnimaKit Mobile Application
• Summer Exchange of Animators
• DBYN Building Citizens
• Don Bosco Youth Incubator
• DBYN Merchandise (Spreadshirt Webshop)
• HUJAMBO Game
• I (am) like You! Simulation Game
• Young Pilgrims of Hope Project

Quantifiable outcome

• 125,000+ children and young people served across the network
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Bosco BasecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Salesian Youth organisation in Flanders, Belgium. DBYN partners with Bosco Base for the AnimaKit app development and other initiatives. Bosco Base guides young people from animator to instructor and provides formation according to Don Bosco's pedagogical vision.
• European Youth ForummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDBYN represents the voice of Don Bosco young people through its youth representatives appointed towards the European Youth Forum and international institutions.
• SPYS (Salesian Pastoral Youth Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaltese member organisation that hosted the General Executive Body meeting in Malta (March 2023). Represents Salesian youth work in Malta.
• SAMEN (Dutch partner)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch member organisation that organised Erasmus+ KA2 Capacity building project on European Voluntary Service outside EU. Developed best practices publication on EVS in third countries.
• Društvo Salezijanski mladinski center MaribormajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovenian partner that published manual 'Personal Growth as a Tool for Youth Worker' covering 5 modules on personal development for youth workers.
• Akt ionszentrum BenediktbeuerncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman member organisation, host of various network meetings and activities including European Summer School of Animators and strategic meetings.
• TGS Nazionale (Italy)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian member organisation. Youth representative Gabriele Giovagnoli serves as DBYN representative for EU Youth Stakeholders Group.
• DOMKA (Slovakia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovak member organisation that hosted the Youth Incubator training course in Bratislava (2018) on social entrepreneurship.
• Google for NonprofitssupportingTechnology or IntegrationDBYN's intranet is built with G-suite through membership in the Google for Nonprofits programme.
• EU-CoE Youth PartnershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation between Council of Europe and European Commission in youth field. DBYN participated in expert seminar 'Journeys to a new life' on youth work integration of young refugees.
• MIJARC EuropemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in study session 'I, Youth Advocate' at European Youth Centre Budapest (2019) for training volunteers on Human Rights based advocacy.
• WeeblysupportingTechnology or IntegrationWebsite platform used by DBYN for its main website and dedicated project websites.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Youth Forum: Platform of European youth organisations that advocates for young people's rights and represents them at EU level. Directly comparable to DBYN as an international youth advocacy platform — DBYN is even an active member and sends youth representatives to the Forum.
• Youth for Understanding (YFU): International non-profit offering youth exchange programmes across multiple countries. Comparable to DBYN through international voluntary service and youth exchange programming.
• AFS Intercultural Programs: Global non-profit running intercultural exchange and education programmes for young people. Comparable to DBYN through international youth exchanges, training programmes, and a values-based pedagogical mission.
• Erasmus Student Network (ESN): Largest student association in Europe supporting international student mobility and exchange. Comparable to DBYN through its pan-European scope, focus on youth/student international exchanges, and Erasmus+ ecosystem alignment.
• IFM-SEI (International Falcon Movement – Socialist Educational International): International network of progressive/youth organisations running exchanges, training, and advocacy across Europe. Comparable to DBYN through pan-European scope, youth exchanges, training courses, and advocacy work.
• Don Bosco Green Alliance: Worldwide Don Bosco youth collective on environmental action, of which DBYN is a full member (since 2019). Comparable as a Don Bosco-branded international youth network with similar funding base and member structure.
• YEU (Youth of European Unity): European youth network running training courses, seminars, and youth exchanges funded through Erasmus+ and Council of Europe. Closely comparable operating model and funding sources to DBYN.
• MIJARC Europe: European federation of rural Catholic youth movements and an explicit DBYN study-session partner. Directly comparable as a faith-rooted, international European youth network with advocacy and training activities.

Broad incumbents

• European Solidarity Corps: EU programme funding young people's volunteering and solidarity projects across Europe and beyond. Comparable to DBYN as a major source of opportunities for young volunteers and a competitor for the same youth mobility space.
• WOSM (World Organization of the Scout Movement): Global non-profit scouting movement with millions of youth members across Europe. Comparable to DBYN as a much larger non-formal youth education movement with values-based pedagogy, training programmes, and international exchanges.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dbyn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Don Bosco Youth-Net