Raad van Kerken Amsterdam

What Raad van Kerken Amsterdam does

Raad van Kerken Amsterdam is an ecumenical council coordinating 24-25 Christian churches in Amsterdam across Anglican, Armenian Apostolic, Lutheran, Reformed, Catholic, Orthodox, and Pentecostal traditions, connecting with more than 90 faith communities in total. Founded in the 1980s (with the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen refugee task force established in that decade), the council coordinates interchurch dialogue, joint worship services, remembrance events, and societal advocacy, and operates within the Amsterdam interfaith network. Its governance runs through an Algemene Vergadering (General Assembly) and Dagelijks Bestuur (Daily Board), and it is operationally affiliated with the national Raad van Kerken Nederland. The headquarters is at Nieuwe Herengracht 18, Amsterdam, with a small staff of 5.

The council's core operational programs are the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen (Refugee Task Force, est. 1980s), which advocates for refugees and undocumented people and coordinates the Gelagkameroverleg network that shaped the 2018 Nieuw Amsterdams Model Ongedocumenteerden, and Stichting Drugspastoraat Amsterdam (DPA, est. 1990 as a separately incorporated foundation), which delivers pastoral care to people affected by drug use. Additional initiatives include participation in the Code Rood Netwerk's Actie Kerkbed emergency shelter program, symposia (e.g., Gen Z and new generations, November 2025), and the Amsterdam leefbare stad election debate (March 2026) co-organized with other church coalitions.

The organization is funded entirely through contributions from its member churches and voluntary donations; no commercial revenue, pricing, or product sales exist. Drugspastoraat Amsterdam holds ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) status, making donations tax-deductible. Communications are conducted via the rvkamsterdam.nl website, MailPoet-powered email newsletters, a Facebook page, and press releases. Key partnerships span ASKV/Steunpunt Vluchtelingen, Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland, IOM, Kerk in Actie, Stichting Here to Support, Amsterdam City Rights, Sant'Egidio, the Protestantse Diaconie, and INLIA.

Name

Raad van Kerken Amsterdam

Legal name

Raad van Kerken Amsterdam

Website

https://rvkamsterdam.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Raad van Kerken Amsterdam is an ecumenical council of 24-25 Christian churches in Amsterdam that coordinates interchurch dialogue, joint worship, and societal advocacy. It operates the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen refugee task force and the Drugspastoraat Amsterdam foundation for drug-affected pastoral care.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ecumenical Religious Organization Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Denominational & Ecclesiastical Governance Bodies (Dioceses, Synods, Conferences) (BPAGAJAB)

Keywords

• Ecumenical church council
• Interfaith dialogue services
• Refugee advocacy programs
• Pastoral care services
• Community coordination services

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Member church contributions: The organization is funded through contributions from its member churches. The council coordinates ecumenical activities among 25 Amsterdam churches and does not operate as a commercial entity.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Raad van Kerken Amsterdam is an ecumenical council coordinating approximately 25 member Christian churches in Amsterdam spanning Anglican, Armenian Apostolic, Lutheran, Reformed, Catholic, Orthodox, and Pentecostal traditions. It facilitates interchurch dialogue, organizes ecumenical worship services and commemorations, advocates for refugees and undocumented people through its Taakgroep Vluchtelingen, and provides pastoral care to people affected by drug use through its affiliated Drugspastoraat Amsterdam foundation.

Product overview

Raad van Kerken Amsterdam is an ecumenical council of approximately 25 Amsterdam churches that facilitates interchurch dialogue and cooperation. The organization operates several social service programs including the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen (Refugee Task Force) supporting undocumented migrants, the Drugspastoraat (Drug Pastoral Care) providing pastoral services to people affected by drug use, and participates in the Code Rood Netwerk providing emergency shelter through the Actie Kerkbed. The organization publishes regular newsletters and organizes community events including ecumenical services, commemorations, and symposia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Taakgroep Vluchtelingen (Refugee Task Force)
• Drugspastoraat Amsterdam (Drug Pastoral Care)
• Code Rood Netwerk / Actie Kerkbed (Church Bed Action)
• Nieuwsbrieven (Newsletters)

Quantifiable outcome

• 24 member churches connected to over 90 faith communities through the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam network (2025)

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Diaconie Amsterdam (Protestantse Diaconie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Protestantse Diaconie Amsterdam is a key affiliated organization and provider of diaconal services. It runs the Wereldhuis (World House), provides food and support to undocumented people, and participates in the Gelagkameroverleg (Lobby Chamber). A representative of Stichting Drugspastoraat participates in the General Assembly of the Raad van Kerken.
• Drugspastoraat Amsterdam (DPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStichting Drugspastoraat Amsterdam arose in 1990 as an activity of the ecumenical Raad van Kerken Amsterdam and operates within and on behalf of the joint churches of Amsterdam. It provides pastoral care to people whose lives are affected by drug use. A representative of DPA participates in the General Assembly of the Raad.
• Raad van Kerken NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national Raad van Kerken (Council of Churches in the Netherlands) is a connected organization at the national level, sharing resources, campaigns, and advocacy positions with the Amsterdam council.
• Gemeenschap van Sant'EgidiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSant'Egidio is a key partner in organizing the annual remembrance of refugees who died at European borders (held at the Mozes en Aäronkerk). It co-organizes events with the Raad van Kerken and is part of the Gelagkameroverleg network.
• ASKV/Steunpunt VluchtelingenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASKV (an Amsterdam refugee support organization) is part of the Gelagkameroverleg and works closely with the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen. It provides direct support to undocumented refugees and coordinates with the municipality on the 24-hour shelter program.
• Vluchtelingenwerk NederlandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national refugee organization cooperates with the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen on asylum policy advocacy and organized the June 2019 special meeting on return (terugkeer) with IOM. It participates in national campaigns and lobbying on refugee rights.
• IOM (Internationale Organisatie voor Migratie)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe UN migration agency presented its work on voluntary return assistance for refugees at a Taakgroep Vluchtelingen meeting in June 2019. IOM is a key partner in discussions on solutions for undocumented people in Amsterdam.
• Code Rood NetwerkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn unofficial network supporting undocumented people who must survive on the street because they cannot access municipal shelter. Through the 'Actie Kerkbed' (Church Bed Action), the network coordinates with churches to provide emergency beds for undocumented people. The network includes Cor Ofman (Stap Verder), Coen van Loon (RC Church), Rikko Voorberg (PopUpKerk), Pablo Eppelin (Wereldhuis), and others.
• Kerk in Actie (PKN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe national Protestant church organization for diaconal work is a key partner in refugee advocacy and practical support. It provides funding and coordinates with Amsterdam churches through the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen.
• Stichting Here to SupportmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA foundation supporting undocumented people in Amsterdam, providing practical assistance, day shelter (Team Straatsignalering), and advocacy. Co-founded by Annette Kouwenhoven and working with Amsterdam City Rights, it has provided shelter support during COVID-19 and for parking garage populations.
• Amsterdam City RightsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn organization defending the rights of undocumented people in Amsterdam, working in coordination with the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen, Here to Support, and Team Straatsignalering on advocacy and direct support.
• Gelagkameroverleg (Lobby Chamber)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA bi-monthly meeting of NGOs and volunteer organizations professionally or voluntarily involved in the problems of undocumented people in Amsterdam. Chaired by Jan van der Meulen (Chair of the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen) and including organizations such as ASKV, Stichting Here to Support, Dokters van de Wereld, Protestantse Diaconie, Stap Verder, and others. It developed the 'Nieuw Amsterdams Model Ongedocumenteerden' (NAMO) adopted by the city coalition in 2018.
• INLIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national Christian organization for refugees and asylum seekers. The Protestantse Gemeente Amsterdam-Zuidoost joined the INLIA Charter Verbond in December 2019, a covenant of churches committed to welcoming refugees.
• Amsterdam Council of Christian Leaders (ACCL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the Amsterdam church coalitions (alongside Raad van Kerken Amsterdam, City to City Amsterdam, and Pentecostal Council of Churches) that co-organized the 'Amsterdam leefbare stad' election debate in March 2026 at the Doopsgezinde Singelkerk.
• City to City AmsterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn Amsterdam church network working on urban Christianity, co-organizing the 2026 election debate with the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam and other church coalitions.
• Pentecostal Council of Churches (PCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Pentecostal church cooperation body in the Netherlands, listed as a member/cooperating partner organization of the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam, co-organizing the 2026 election debate.
• Stichting Landelijk Ongedocumenteerden Steunpunt (LOS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA national foundation providing information and support to undocumented people, cited as a regular contact of the Taakgroep Vluchtelingen.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SKIN (Samen Kerk in Nederland): National interchurch cooperation body focused on refugee support and diaconal work; directly comparable because it coordinates Dutch churches around social-service themes overlapping with the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam's Taakgroep Vluchtelingen.
• Sant'Egidio (Gemeenschap van Sant'Egidio): Faith-based community organization co-organizing refugee remembrance events with the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam; operates a comparable ecumenical-service model in Amsterdam and across Europe.
• City to City Amsterdam: Amsterdam-based church network working on urban Christianity that co-organizes events (e.g., 2026 election debate) with the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam; serves a similar member-church coordination role in the same city.
• Raad van Kerken Nederland: National counterpart and connected parent organization; performs the same ecumenical coordination role at the national level, working with the same member-church model and advocacy mandate.
• Amsterdam Council of Christian Leaders (ACCL): One of the Amsterdam church coalitions listed as a co-organizer of the March 2026 election debate; comparable as a parallel Christian leadership coordination body in Amsterdam.

Broad incumbents

• World Council of Churches: Global ecumenical body whose member churches include the denominations coordinated by Raad van Kerken Amsterdam; comparable as a higher-tier ecumenical governance body in the same faith tradition.
• Kerk in Actie (Protestantse Kerk in Nederland): National Protestant diaconal organization that funds and coordinates with the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam's Taakgroep Vluchtelingen; broader organization covering diaconal work that overlaps with the council's refugee mandate.
• Conference of European Churches: Regional ecumenical body representing European churches; comparable as a larger ecumenical coordination entity that the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam's member churches participate in through their national bodies.

Emerging players

• INLIA: National Christian organization for refugees and asylum seekers; comparable as a faith-based refugee advocacy body that operates the Charter Verbond covenant of welcoming churches — overlapping with the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam's refugee work.
• Pentecostal Council of Churches (PCC): A Pentecostal church cooperation body in the Netherlands that partners with the Raad van Kerken Amsterdam; comparable as a denominational ecumenical coordination entity with partial overlap in member base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/raadvankerkenamsterdam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/raad-van-kerken-amsterdam

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Raad van Kerken Amsterdam