What Eigenwijks does

Stichting Eigenwijks is a Dutch non-profit foundation (stichting) headquartered in Amsterdam Nieuw-West and founded in 1958. It is the largest independent residents' organization in the Nieuw-West district, operating a network of seven community centers (Buurthuizen) that serve approximately 145,000-160,000 residents across seven neighborhoods. The foundation delivers subsidized social programming, resident-led initiatives, and neighborhood activities, supported by a staff of roughly 35 employees and around 60 volunteers, with governance provided by a residents' council.

The organization's revenue model is anchored by municipal subsidies received from the City of Amsterdam under the "Sociale Basis" policy framework, which designates Eigenwijks as a recognized provider of neighborhood-level social infrastructure. Secondary revenue is generated through room and space rentals at its community centers, complemented by contributions toward resident initiatives. Leadership comprises a Directeur (Serfanim Uysal) and a Board Chair (Al M'Charek), with operational teams organized under multiple teamleider roles covering programming, communications, and operations.

Eigenwijks runs on a standard, non-proprietary technology stack: a WordPress-based public website with WordFence security, Google Analytics and Google Fonts, Mautic for marketing automation, and the Reflex Appointment / RoomManager platform for online room reservations. The foundation is a member of the Gebiedonline cooperative, which provides shared digital infrastructure for neighborhood organizations across Amsterdam. There is no evidence of proprietary technology, AI/ML capabilities, or differentiated data assets; competitive positioning rests on physical footprint, institutional legitimacy, and community trust built over 65+ years of operation.

Name

Eigenwijks

Legal name

Stichting Eigenwijks

Website

https://eigenwijks.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting Eigenwijks is a Dutch non-profit residents' organization operating seven community centers across Amsterdam Nieuw-West. Founded in 1958, it serves roughly 145,000-160,000 residents via subsidized social programming, resident initiatives, and space rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Services

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Community development
• Neighborhood centers
• Resident engagement
• Social cohesion programs
• Volunteer management

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Municipal Subsidy: Eigenwijks receives subsidies from the municipality of Amsterdam for social community work (Sociale Basis), aligned with the 'Samen vooruit' policy framework. This is the primary funding source supporting operations and programming.
2. Space Rental: The organization generates revenue by renting out rooms and spaces at its community center locations (De Serre, Buurthuis De Aker, Pluspunt, Buurthuis België, De Honingraat) to residents, groups, and organizations for events, meetings, workshops, and activities.
3. Resident Initiatives Support: Eigenwijks supports and facilitates resident-initiated activities, events, and community projects through its network and infrastructure, contributing to social cohesion outcomes aligned with its mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stichting Eigenwijks operates a network of seven neighborhood community centers across Amsterdam Nieuw-West, providing physical spaces, activity programming, room rental services, community development support, and volunteer management for approximately 160,000 residents. The organization also facilitates resident-led initiatives and publishes neighborhood newspapers to strengthen social cohesion across diverse populations.

Product overview

Stichting Eigenwijks is the largest independent resident organization in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, operating as a community center management and social development organization rather than a software product company. Its offering consists of a network of five neighborhood centers (Buurthuizen & Ontmoetingslocaties) — De Aker, Pluspunt, Buurthuis België, De Serre, and De Honingraat — providing space rental (Ruimte Huren), activity programming (Activiteitenprogramma), and community development services (Opbouwwerk). The organization supports resident-led initiatives (Bewonersinitiatieven Ondersteuning) and manages volunteers (Vrijwilligersmanagement), complemented by neighborhood publications (GaSet, NieuwSloten Nieuws) and annual implementation plans. An online room reservation system (Zaalreserveringssysteem) enables booking of spaces across locations. All services are delivered through approximately 35 staff members and 60 volunteers serving roughly 145,000 residents across five neighborhoods.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Buurthuizen & Ontmoetingslocaties (Neighborhood Community Centers) Seven neighborhood community centers across Amsterdam Nieuw-West — De Serre (Osdorp), Buurthuis De Aker, Pluspunt (Geuzenveld), Buurthuis België ((Nieuw) Sloten), De Honingraat (Slotermeer), and Buurthalte de Deyssel — offering residents physical spaces for activities, events, meetings, and community gatherings.
• Ruimte Huren (Room Rental) Rental service for rooms and spaces at Eigenwijks's various neighborhood locations, ranging from small to large rooms, with pricing lists available per venue. Reservations are managed through an online room booking system (Reflex Appointment / RoomManager).
• Activiteitenprogramma (Activities Program) Weekly and recurring activity programs across all neighborhood locations, including dancing, yoga, Pilates, language lessons, sewing classes, and more, catering to all ages.
• Opbouwwerk (Community Development) Community development methodology delivered by opbouwwerkers (community builders) who connect residents with each other and with municipal and professional services, supporting social networks and resident-led initiatives across all neighborhoods of Nieuw-West.
• Vrijwilligersmanagement (Volunteer Management) Program for recruiting, training, and managing volunteers across Eigenwijks locations, offering roles such as reception desk volunteers, bar volunteers, computer tutors, and Dutch language teachers, with volunteer contracts and monthly allowances.
• Bewonersinitiatieven Ondersteuning (Resident Initiative Support) Support service for residents wishing to start their own community activities, including help with finding collaborators, securing space, accessing funding, and developing ideas into activities. Applications are processed via Jotform per neighborhood.
• Buurtkrant GaSet Quarterly neighborhood newspaper for Geuzenveld and Slotermeer, produced by resident volunteers, distributed in a print run of 20,000 copies per issue, covering local stories, initiatives, and community news.
• Buurtkrant NieuwSloten Nieuws Six-times-per-year neighborhood newspaper for Nieuw Sloten and Park Haagseweg, produced by a team of volunteer editors, with a print run of 6,000 copies per issue.
• Uitvoeringsplannen (Annual Implementation Plans) Annual implementation plans published for Eigenwijks and each of its neighborhoods (De Aker, Geuzenveld, Osdorp, Slotermeer, Sloten & Nieuw Sloten), documenting the organization's activities and goals aligned with the municipality's Social Basis subsidy framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500 residents per year supported in areas of health, housing, loneliness, poverty, participation, and digital skills
• +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

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GebiedonlinecoreTechnology or IntegrationGebiedonline is a cooperative that owns the software for community platforms like wijzijnnieuwwest.nl. Eigenwijks uses the Gebiedonline platform for its online community portal. Each member can participate in decision-making, and the cooperative is the owner of the software. In contrast to platforms like Facebook or Nextdoor, Gebiedonline does not collect and resell data for advertising purposes.
• Gebiedsmakelaars (Area Agents)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal area agents (Gebiedsmakelaars) work with Eigenwijks and provide editorial contributions to neighborhood newspapers. They collaborate on neighborhood development and community building initiatives.
• Gemeente Amsterdam (Municipality of Amsterdam)coreOthersEigenwijks receives municipal subsidies under the 'Sociale Basis' (Social Foundation) scheme as described in the 'Samen vooruit' policy framework. The municipality is the primary funder of the organization's community work in Amsterdam Nieuw-West. The Buurtmedewerkers (Neighborhood Workers) scheme is also a municipal subsidy program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Combiwel Amsterdam: Combiwel is one of the largest welfare and community work organizations in Amsterdam, operating buurthuizen, opbouwwerk, and resident-support programs across multiple Amsterdam districts. It is the closest operational peer to Eigenwijks in terms of service mix, target population, and municipal funding model.
• Buurtteams Amsterdam: Buurtteams Amsterdam provides municipally funded neighborhood-level social support and welfare work across all Amsterdam districts. Directly comparable to Eigenwijks in function, target population, and municipal financing model, although delivered through professional social workers rather than resident-led governance.
• Participe Amsterdam: Participe delivers community development and resident participation programs in Amsterdam, working with bewonersorganisaties and operating neighborhood-level initiatives. It is directly comparable in function and target audience to Eigenwijks.
• Stichting De Regenboog Groep: De Regenboog is an Amsterdam-based social welfare organization supporting vulnerable residents including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, and social isolation. It overlaps with Eigenwijks on community engagement, volunteer-driven service delivery, and municipal funding dependence in the Amsterdam region.

Broad incumbents

• Leger des Heils Nederland: The Salvation Army in the Netherlands runs community centers, social support programs, and volunteer-driven services in Amsterdam and beyond. Comparable to Eigenwijks in delivery of community-based social services but operating at much greater scale and with a broader welfare mission.
• Humanitas DMH: Humanitas is a large Dutch social welfare organization offering community support, buddy programs, and resident engagement across the Netherlands. It is comparable to Eigenwijks in mission and volunteer model but operates at national scale and across more service lines.
• Cordaan: Cordaan is one of Amsterdam's largest care and welfare organizations, offering elderly care, community support, and neighborhood programs. It overlaps with Eigenwijks on Amsterdam-based community service delivery but is more care-oriented.

Emerging players

• Dockwijk: Dockwijk is a Dutch social organization delivering community building, youth work, and welfare services in several municipalities. Comparable to Eigenwijks in opbouwwerk methodology and resident-engagement focus but operating in different geographies.

Others

• Stichting MEE: MEE supports people with disabilities and chronic conditions across the Netherlands through information, advocacy, and participation programs. It is comparable to Eigenwijks in resident-support and participation mission but addresses a narrower population segment.
• Stichting Philadelphia Zorg: Philadelphia is a major Dutch care organization supporting people with intellectual disabilities through residential and community programs. It is adjacent rather than directly comparable to Eigenwijks, since Eigenwijks focuses on general neighborhood welfare rather than disability-specific care.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCNmYwR_BldjGCbU-3fHqHHQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Eigenwijks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eigenwijks
• Instagraminstagram.com/eigenwijks020

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Eigenwijks