Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten

What Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten does

Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten is a German non-profit foundation founded in 1985 that operates integrated living and working communities for people with disabilities in the districts of Verden and Osterholz in Lower Saxony. The foundation operates three life sites—Parzival-Hof (1985) in Ottersberg-Quelkhorn, Johannishag (1995) in Worpswede-Ostersode, and Niels-Stensen-Haus (2010) in Lilienthal-Worphausen—serving approximately 350 people, including 160+ residents in various housing models and 250 workshop participants. Core services include 'Die Manufakturen' (recognized WfbM workshops under §219 SGB IX with AZAV certification) offering 14 craft areas, vocational training through the Berufsbildungsbereich, mobile assisted living support (Assistenz beim Wohnen), and the Seminar für Sozialtherapie for training Heilziehungspfleger. The organization is anthroposophically oriented and a member of Anthropoi Bundesverband, Paritätischer Niedersachsen, and BAG WfbM.

The foundation's business model rests on statutory social services funding under SGB IX and SGB XI, flowing through Integrationsämter, Pflegekassen, and other public payers for integration assistance, residential care, and workshop participation. Secondary revenue streams include sales of handcrafted workshop products through the Hofladen farm shop, Café Niels, and an online shop; tuition-equivalent revenue from the training program delivered in cooperation with Karl-Schubert-Seminar Stuttgart; and grant income from foundations such as Aktion Mensch, Software-AG-Stiftung, Stiftung Wohnhilfe, Stiftung Lauenstein, plus EU programs (ELER, ESF Plus). The supporting organization Förderverein Leben und Arbeiten e.V., established in 2003, owns real estate rented to the foundation and funds continuing education and cultural therapy. Pricing is not publicly disclosed as services are statutory-funded rather than commercially priced.

Recent strategic activity centers on capacity expansion and organizational development: the Pflegewohnen care housing project at Niels-Stensen-Haus, the topping-out of 'Inklusives Wohnen in Quelkhorn' in January 2026, the reopening of Café Niels in April 2026, and the ESF Plus-funded 'Rückenwind³' organizational development program running 2025-2028. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Technology infrastructure is minimal, with no public APIs, no AI capabilities, and operations centered on anthroposophical social therapy methods and craft-based workshop production rather than technology platforms.

Name

Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten

Legal name

Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten

Website

https://stiftung-leben-arbeiten.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten is a German non-profit foundation operating three integrated life sites in Lower Saxony, providing residential support, recognized WfbM workshops, vocational training, and assisted living services to approximately 350 people with disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Social Services / Integration Assistance

NAICS

Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (62321), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ), Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)

Keywords

• Disability social services
• Integration assistance
• Supported employment
• Residential care
• Vocational training

Headquarters

HQ city

Lilienthal-Worphausen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Statutory Integration Assistance Funding: Government-funded services under SGB IX (Sozialgesetzbuch Neuntes Buch) for people with disabilities. Funding covers living arrangements (Wohnen), assisted living (Assistenz beim Wohnen), and workshop participation (WfbM). Revenue flows through Integrationsämter and other public payers.
2. Workshop Product Sales: Sale of handcrafted products manufactured in the workshops including candles, textiles, woodwork, garden products, agricultural goods, and food items. Products are sold through the foundation's own shop (Hofladen), Café Niels, and online store.
3. Training and Education Services: The Seminar für Sozialtherapie offers a three-year practice-integrated training program for Heilziehungspfleger (special education care workers) in collaboration with Karl-Schubert-Seminar Stuttgart.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten operates three integrated residential and work communities (Lebensorte) in Lower Saxony for people with disabilities, providing statutory integration assistance (Eingliederungshilfe) including supported housing (Besondere Wohnformen, Assistenz beim Wohnen) for over 160 residents and recognized sheltered workshop employment (Die Manufakturen / WfbM) for approximately 250 people across 14 craft areas. Additional offerings include vocational training (Berufsbildungsbereich), a three-year training seminar for Heilziehungspfleger, retail outlets (Hofladen, Café Niels), and an e-commerce shop selling handcrafted workshop products.

Product overview

Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten is a social services organization providing a comprehensive ecosystem of support services for people with disabilities. The foundation operates three residential sites (Lebensorte) in Lower Saxony near Bremen: Johannishag, Niels-Stensen-Haus, and Parzival-Hof. Its core offerings include 'Die Manufakturen' workshops (WfbM - recognized workshops for disabled people) producing handcrafted goods across 14 craft areas (weaving, carpentry, candle-making, gardening, etc.), residential living options for over 160 residents, vocational training programs (Berufsbildungsbereich), and mobile assisted living support services. Supporting services include a Seminar für Sozialtherapie for professional training, a media workshop producing the annual 'Leben und Arbeiten' magazine, and retail outlets including Café Niels and the Hofladen farm shop. The organization also manages ongoing projects such as care living facilities for elderly residents. The foundation is anthroposophically-oriented and member of the Anthropoi Bundesverband.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Die Manufakturen: The workshops (Werkstätten) of the foundation, organized under the name 'Die Manufakturen'. They are recognized workshops for people with disabilities (WfbM) offering various work areas including gardening, textile, woodwork, candle making, kitchen, and more.
• Seminar für Sozialtherapie
• Leben und Arbeiten Magazin
• Lunda

Products and services

• Besondere Wohnformen (Special Housing Forms) Residential living options at three life locations (Johannishag, Niels-Stensen-Haus, Parzival-Hof) offering community living for over 160 people with support needs. Housing groups are designed individually for comfort, with personalized support for each resident under statutory integration assistance.
• Assistenz beim Wohnen (Assisted Living Support) Mobile assistance services supporting people with disabilities in their own apartments in the districts of Verden and Osterholz, enabling independent living with support for daily tasks, appointments, and social participation.
• Die Manufakturen (Recognized WfbM Workshops) An association of 14 workshops recognized as Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (WfbM) under § 219 SGB IX, providing vocational training and employment for approximately 250 people with support needs across craft areas including weaving, carpentry, candle-making, gardening, agriculture, media, and theater.
• Berufsbildungsbereich (Vocational Training Section) AZAV-certified vocational education and training program within the workshops for people with support needs. Includes a three-month intake procedure (Eingangsverfahren), two-year professional training, and support for transitions to the general labor market.
• Seminar für Sozialtherapie (Three-Year Training for Heilziehungspfleger:innen) A three-year practice-integrated training program to become a Heilziehungspfleger:in (special education care worker), conducted in cooperation with Karl-Schubert-Seminar Stuttgart, comprising 2,000 hours of theoretical instruction and 2,700 hours of practical work.
• Hofladen / Café Niels (Farm Shop and Café) Retail outlet operated at Parzival-Hof and Niels-Stensen-Haus locations selling workshop-produced goods including candles, textiles, woodcrafts, and agricultural products. Café Niels reopened in April 2026, operating Tuesdays to Fridays.
• Pflegewohnen am Niels-Stensen-Haus (Care Living Project) Ongoing project to construct barrier-free apartments and assisted living facilities at the Niels-Stensen-Haus location for elderly residents and those needing care, ensuring they can continue living at the foundation as they age. Funded in part by Software-AG-Stiftung matching donations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350 people supported across living and working domains in Verden and Osterholz districts
• +2 more outcomes

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

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Förderverein Leben und Arbeiten e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Support association founded in 2003 to promote and support people with disabilities. Owns and manages real estate rented to the foundation, serves as developer for new construction projects, and funds continuing education at the Seminar für Sozialtherapie and cultural therapeutic offerings.
• Anthropoi BundesverbandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal association for anthroposophical social welfare. The foundation is a member and draws on the association's expertise in anthroposophical social therapy and inclusive community living.
• Paritätischer NiedersachsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional association of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband. The foundation participates in this major German welfare association's network for social services.
• BAG WfbM (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal working group of workshops for disabled people. The foundation participates as an operator of recognized WfbM facilities.
• Karl-Schubert-Seminar StuttgartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for the three-year practice-integrated training program for Heilziehungspfleger (special education care workers). Provides school-based education while the foundation provides practical training placements.
• Hochschule im Sozialen, Ottersberg (HKS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of applied sciences in social work located in Ottersberg. Cooperates with the foundation on education and training programs.
• FOM HochschulesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for dual study programs in social work, providing academic education alongside practical training at the foundation.
• KunstOrt OTTOsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt location in Ottersberg that cooperates with the foundation on cultural events such as theater performances and the Sommertöne am Mühlenberg music festival.
• Kaffee-Rösterei UtamtisupportingOthersExternal coffee roasting business located at Niels-Stensen-Haus that provides inclusive employment opportunities and collaborates with the foundation's workshop.
• Backstube am MühlenbergsupportingOthersBakery located at Niels-Stensen-Haus that provides inclusive employment opportunities and collaborates with the foundation's workshop.
• BauckhofsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural business serving as a practical training placement for Heilziehungspfleger trainees from the Seminar für Sozialtherapie.
• Bremer LebensgemeinschaftsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidential community in Bremen serving as a practical training placement for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.
• Eichenhof AlveslohtesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural community serving as a practical training placement for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.
• Hermann Juelich WerkgemeinschaftsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking community providing practical training placements for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.
• Münzinghof DorfgemeinschaftsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVillage community providing practical training placements for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.
• Stiftung Lebensräume OvelgönnesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation providing living spaces as practical training placements for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.
• Rudolf Steiner Schule KielsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaldorf school providing practical training placements for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.
• Tragende Gemeinschaft gGmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services organization providing practical training placements for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.
• Gut AdolphshofsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural estate providing practical training placements for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.
• Zusammen Leben e.V. HamburgsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHamburg-based organization providing practical training placements for Heilziehungspfleger trainees.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Diakonie Deutschland: Largest German social services confederation operating WfbM workshops, residential facilities, and vocational training nationwide. Comparable as a major statutory-funded provider of integration assistance and disability services across multiple federal states.
• Caritas Deutschland: Catholic social welfare confederation providing residential care, workshops, and integration assistance for people with disabilities across Germany. Comparable for its scale, statutory funding model, and SGB IX-aligned service portfolio.
• Lebenshilfe: Federal German association for people with intellectual disabilities, operating a national network of WfbM workshops, housing, and family services. Highly comparable as a large-scale provider of integration-assistance services under SGB IX with similar service categories.

Direct peers

• Camphill Communities (international): International network of anthroposophical communities providing supported living and meaningful work for people with disabilities. Shares Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten's anthroposophical framework, integrated living-working model, and craft-based workshop approach.
• Stiftung Liebenau: German foundation providing residential living, workshops, and vocational training for people with disabilities in Baden-Württemberg and beyond. Highly comparable as a similarly structured Stiftung operating WfbM workshops and assisted living under anthroposophical-influenced principles.
• Münzinghof Dorfgemeinschaft: Anthroposophical village community in the Eifel providing housing, workshop participation, and training for people with disabilities. Directly comparable to Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten as a partner placement community within the same Anthropoi network and training ecosystem.
• Lebensgemeinschaft Bingenheim: Anthroposophical residential and working community in Hesse for people with and without disabilities. Directly comparable as a German Anthropoi-affiliated community operating under the same inclusive living-working model as Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten.
• anthropos e.V. Anthroposophical social therapy association offering residential communities and supported employment for people with disabilities in Germany. Directly comparable as an Anthropoi-affiliated organization with similar inclusive community and workshop models.

Regional players

• Hofgut Adolphshof: Anthroposophical Demeter farm community near Hannover offering inclusive living, agricultural workshops, and Heilziehungspfleger training placements. Comparable as a regional anthroposophical community that also serves as a Heilziehungspfleger training partner for the broader Anthropoi network.
• Bremer Lebensgemeinschaft: Residential anthroposophical community in Bremen providing supported living and workshop participation for people with disabilities. Comparable as a regional Anthropoi member organization that also provides Heilziehungspfleger training placements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Stiftung.Leben.und.Arbeiten
• Instagraminstagram.com/Stiftung.Leben.und.Arbeiten
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stiftung-leben-und-arbeiten

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Stiftung Leben und Arbeiten