VluchtelingenWerk Almelo

What VluchtelingenWerk Almelo does

Stichting Vluchtelingenwerk Almelo (SVWA) is a Dutch nonprofit foundation established in 2002 that delivers direct, in-person integration support to statushouders (refugees holding a residence permit) assigned to or residing in the municipality of Almelo. Its service model spans the full five-year integration window and covers housing intake and rental contract accompaniment, financial administration, language tutoring via volunteer taalbegeleiders, family guidance via gezinsbegeleiders, employment preparation, healthcare navigation, legal assistance for naturalization and family reunification, and education enrollment for both adults and children. A secondary tailored program targets higher-educated refugees, students, and youth with potential, connecting them with the UAF and accelerating their pathway into education or skilled employment.

SVWA's operations are delivered by a single professional coordinator (Rafy, since 2017, himself a refugee from Armenia who serves as an interpreter) and approximately 20 trained volunteer beguiders, with governance provided by a three-person board. There is no proprietary technology platform; operational support is limited to a WordPress website, CVS-based dossier management, and standard Dutch government digital portals. The organization maintains an extensive referral network spanning 15+ local institutions including Woningstichting, Menzis, DUO, UWV, Stadsbank Oost Nederland, GGD, GGZ, schools, and the IND.

SVWA is funded almost entirely by a municipal subsidy from Gemeente Almelo assigned in connection with the Dutch government's statushouder task allocation, supplemented by public donations channeled to a separate emergency fund (Stichting Noodfonds Vluchtelingen Almelo). All services are free of charge to end clients. In 2023, SVWA was recognized as a winner of the Overijsselse Vrijwilligers Prijs (Overijssel Volunteer Award). The organization operates exclusively within the geographic boundary of Almelo and has no disclosed subsidiaries, parent company, or external investors.

Name

VluchtelingenWerk Almelo

Legal name

Stichting Vluchtelingenwerk Almelo

Website

https://svwa.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stichting Vluchtelingenwerk Almelo (SVWA) is a Dutch nonprofit foundation that provides free, volunteer-driven integration support to statushouders in the municipality of Almelo, covering housing, language, employment, legal, and healthcare navigation over a five-year period, funded primarily by municipal subsidy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Integration Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Immigrant & Refugee Workforce Integration Programs (EDAAAOAJ), Migrant & Refugee Legal Aid and Documentation Services (BPADAHAE)

Keywords

• Refugee integration services
• Newcomer support programs
• Language coaching services
• Family guidance support
• Immigration assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Almelo

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Municipal Subsidy: SVWA receives subsidy funds from the municipality of Almelo to carry out its daily operations and integration support activities. This is the primary recurring funding source.
2. Donations & Financial Support: The organization accepts financial contributions from the public. Donations are made to account NL83 INGB 0005 0478 61 in the name of Stichting Noodfonds Vluchtelingen Almelo. Donations support statushouders facing unexpected expenses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

SVWA delivers direct, volunteer-driven integration support services to statushouders (refugees with residence permits) assigned to the municipality of Almelo. Services span a five-year integration period and include intake and orientation, housing contract accompaniment, financial administration and debt counseling, language tutoring through volunteer taalbegeleiders, family coaching through gezinsbegeleiders, healthcare and health insurance enrollment support, education enrollment and study financing coordination, legal assistance with residence permits, naturalization, and family reunification, and employment preparation. The organization also operates an emergency fund (Noodfonds) providing small loans and gifts to statushouders facing unexpected expenses.

Product overview

VluchtelingenWerk Almelo (SVWA) is a non-profit foundation that provides social support services to refugees (statushouders) in the municipality of Almelo, Netherlands. The organization does not offer a software product or technology platform. Instead, it delivers direct human services including: initial intake and orientation, housing assistance coordination, language learning support through volunteer language coaches (taalbegeleiders), family guidance through volunteer family coaches (gezinsbegeleiders), legal assistance for immigration and naturalization procedures, financial guidance and administration training, education support and study assistance, healthcare navigation, and employment integration support. The organization also maintains an emergency fund (Noodfonds) for financial assistance to refugees facing unexpected expenses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Statushouder Intake and Orientation First introduction and welcome program for newly arrived statushouders assigned to the municipality of Almelo; led by the coordinator with interpreter support, this is the entry point into the five-year integration trajectory.
• Housing Contract Accompaniment Support for statushouders in signing rental contracts at the local housing corporation (Woningstichting), addressing housing instability that often accompanies new arrivals.
• Financial Administration and Debt Counseling Guidance on banking, benefits administration, and debt management including initiation of schuldsanering (debt restructuring) via Stadsbank Oost Nederland for clients in financial difficulty.
• Language Coaching (Taalbegeleiding) One-on-one Dutch language tutoring delivered by approximately 20 volunteer language coaches (taalbegeleiders), supplemented by access to library-licensed learning materials.
• Family Guidance (Gezinsbegeleiding) Personal coaching by volunteer family coaches (gezinsbegeleiders) covering daily life challenges across the various life phases of clients.
• Healthcare Navigation and Health Insurance Enrollment Enrollment in health insurance (Menzis) via the B12 form process, year-end coverage adjustments, and coordination with GGD, GGZ, and Jeugdzorg for physical and mental health access.
• Education Enrollment and Study Support Enrollment of children in ISK and 'het Palet' schools, adult enrollment in ROC/Saxion programs, IDW diploma recognition, and connection of higher-educated students with UAF for study financing.
• Employment and UWV Coordination Coordination with UWV (Employee Insurance Agency) for registration, dismissal, illness, WW benefit applications, and Ziektewet registrations, plus general employment preparation.
• Immigration Legal Assistance Coordination with the IND for residence permit renewals, naturalization applications, and family reunification procedures on behalf of clients.
• Emergency Fund (Noodfonds) Financial Assistance Small loans and gifts to statushouders for unexpected expenses such as family reunification flight tickets, dental costs, or travel to courses outside Almelo, administered through Stichting Noodfonds Vluchtelingen Almelo.
• Higher-Educated Refugee Personalized Support Targeted personalized pathway for higher-educated refugees, students, and youth with potential, designed to accelerate their integration at an appropriate level matching qualifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• SVWA aims to transform statushouders into self-sufficient, independently functioning residents within 5 years.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Woningstichting (Housing Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA accompanies clients to the housing corporation to sign rental contracts. This is a core operational partnership enabling the housing component of integration support.
• Menzis (Health Insurance)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA handles health insurance enrollment for statushouders and delivers the B12 form to Menzis. Ongoing coordination for health coverage adjustments at year-end.
• DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA submits DUO loan applications for inburgeraars and requests extensions or exemptions for the inburgering period from DUO.
• UWV (Employee Insurance Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA coordinates with UWV for work-related matters: registering clients, handling dismissal or illness cases, WW benefit applications, and Ziektewet registrations.
• Stadsbank Oost NederlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA initiates debt management and schuldsanering (debt restructuring) proceedings via the Stadsbank for clients with significant financial difficulties, and helps clients navigate the Stadsbank's digital repayment system.
• ROC, Saxion, and Other Educational InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA enrolls statushouders at ROC, Saxion, and other educational programs, coordinates with schools for student support, and manages IDW diploma recognition applications.
• UAF (Stichting UAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA connects higher-educated refugee students with the UAF, arranges intake appointments, and supports the study financing process for these clients.
• ISK and 'het Palet' (Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA enrolls refugee children at ISK (Internationale Schakel Klasse) and 'het Palet' schools, coordinates school enrollment, and mediates between parents and schools when concerns arise.
• Jeugdzorg, GGD, and GGZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSVWA maintains close working relationships with youth care services, the municipal health service, and mental health organizations, facilitating client access to these services and occasionally accompanying or mediating in consultations.
• Bibliotheek (Library)minorOthersSVWA's language coaches use library-licensed materials and resources as part of language tutoring for clients.
• AvedanminorOthersLanguage coaches at SVWA have access to training programs provided by Avedan to improve their coaching methodology.
• Almelo Doet Mee, Jeugdfonds Almelo, Stichting Leergeld, Stichting Nomen NesciominorOthersSVWA refers clients in financial need to these local funds and foundations for support with sports, swimming lessons, music lessons, laptops, school fees, bicycles, and household appliances.
• Gemeente Almelo (Municipality of Almelo)coreOthersSVWA operates under a subsidy agreement with the municipality of Almelo. The municipality assigns statushouders to SVWA for integration support, and SVWA reports on activities and receives funding in return.
• IND (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst)coreOthersSVWA coordinates with the IND for residence permit renewals, naturalization applications, and family reunification procedures on behalf of its clients.
• Hulp bij MarketingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHulp bij Marketing developed and maintains the SVWA website (svwa.nl).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Stichting Nomen Nescio: Almelo-based foundation (same municipality as SVWA) providing support to undocumented migrants and refugees. Comparable mission and geographic footprint with overlapping client populations, though more focused on individuals without legal status.
• Stichting LOS (Landelijk Ondersteuningsteam bij Stichting LOS): National Dutch organization providing advice and support to local organizations working with refugees and migrants. Comparable sector and methodology but operates as a support/advice body for groups like SVWA rather than as a direct service provider to refugees.
• VluchtelingenWerk Twente / VluchtelingenWerk Oost-Nederland: Regional VW branches under which SVWA previously operated before becoming independent. Same target group (statushouders) and same Dutch integration system, but with broader regional coverage rather than a single-municipality focus.
• Stichting UAF: Dutch foundation supporting higher-educated refugees with study financing and integration. Directly comparable on refugee integration support and an active SVWA partner, but specialized toward students and higher-educated newcomers rather than the full 5-year general integration track.

Others

• Stichting Noodfonds Vluchtelingen Almelo: The donation-receiving fund associated with SVWA for emergency statushouder expenses. Not an independent peer; functionally the financial support arm of SVWA itself, operating under the same municipal umbrella.
• Gemeente Almelo (Municipality of Almelo): Primary funder and client assignor for SVWA. Not a peer in the competitive sense but a key ecosystem participant; comparable insofar as it is responsible for delivering integration outcomes and could in theory insource SVWA's tasks.

Broad incumbents

• VluchtelingenWerk Nederland: National umbrella organization that coordinates Dutch refugee support and advocacy. Directly comparable mission (statushouder integration) but operates at a national scale, sets policy, and represents members rather than running one municipal service like SVWA.

Regional players

• Stichting Vluchtelingenwerk Amsterdam: Regional VW branch serving Amsterdam statushouders. Same integration support model and mission as SVWA but in a much larger urban context with substantially different scale and demand profile.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vluchtelingenwerk-almelo

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 VluchtelingenWerk Almelo