Verband der Volkshochschulen von Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.

What Verband der Volkshochschulen von Rheinland-Pfalz e.V. does

Verband der Volkshochschulen von Rheinland-Pfalz e.V. is the statutory interest and professional association for all 57 recognized Volkshochschulen (public adult education centers) in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, operating as a registered non-profit (e.V.) under the state's Weiterbildungsgesetz. The organization provides centralized services to its member institutions including professional development training for vhs staff and course instructors, quality management frameworks (vhs.QM, LQW, AZAV support), examination administration through its Prüfungszentrale, and coordination of statewide projects in basic education (GrubiNetz), digital literacy (DigiNetz), school completion (Kompetenzzentrum Schulabschluss), and BAMF integration courses (EOK-Zentralstelle).

The Verband operates and licenses a technology stack built around three core platforms: vhs.cloud, a cloud-based collaboration and video conferencing environment (using BigBlueButton/zoomX) hosting topic-specific working groups across member institutions; vhs-Lernportal, a free digital learning environment providing courses for school completion preparation in German, Mathematics, and English; and integration with the national vhs-Kursfinder course search engine operated by the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband. These platforms underpin both internal member coordination and externally delivered educational programs.

Revenue is sourced from a combination of Land Rheinland-Pfalz government grants (primary funder MWWG plus Bildung and Integration ministries), federal BAMF and EU ESF+ project funding, membership fees from the 57 institutional members, and minor service fees from external course participants (EUR 50 for single-day events, EUR 25 for short formats). The go-to-market motion is exclusively B2B through the member vhs network rather than direct-to-consumer, with member staff receiving professional development free of charge. Leadership comprises Chairman Hendrik Hering and Verbandsdirektorin Ute Friedrich, supported by a 7-person central team and a broader department-head structure covering language, integration, digitalization, basic education, and quality management functions.

Name

Verband der Volkshochschulen von Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.

Legal name

Verband der Volkshochschulen von Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.

Website

https://vhs-rlp.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verband der Volkshochschulen von Rheinland-Pfalz e.V. is the statutory non-profit umbrella association for the 57 public adult education centers in Rhineland-Palatinate, providing centralized training, quality management, examination services, and statewide coordination for member vhs institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

National/State Curriculum & Standards Authorities (EDADAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA), Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA)

Keywords

• Adult education association
• Continuing education coordination
• Professional development training
• Language certification services
• Quality management framework

Headquarters

HQ city

Mainz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from Land Rheinland-Pfalz (state government) for core operations, quality development programs, and various projects including BAMF-funded EOK courses, ESF+ funded alpha and basic education courses.
2. Membership Fees: 57 member Volkshochschulen in Rhineland-Palatinate pay membership fees to the state association.
3. Course Fees (External Participants): External participants pay course fees: 50 EUR for single-day events, 25 EUR for short formats like 'Lernen kompakt'. vhs employees from Rhineland-Palatinate attend training events free of charge.
4. Service Fees: Since January 2026, centralized service for Bildungszeit (education leave) recognition applications on behalf of member VHS, providing administrative support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The association serves as the interest and professional umbrella organization for the 57 member Volkshochschulen (public adult education centers) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It delivers centralized professional development for vhs staff and instructors, quality management support (vhs.QM), coordination of state-funded programs (BAMF integration courses, ESF+ basic education, Kompetenzzentrum Schulabschluss), digital learning platforms (vhs.cloud, vhs-Lernportal, vhs-Kursfinder), and administrative services such as the Bildungszeit recognition service and the central examination office.

Product overview

Verband der Volkshochschulen von Rheinland-Pfalz e.V. is a state-level association serving 57 member Volkshochschulen (public adult education centers) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The association provides a comprehensive portfolio of services including central platforms (vhs.cloud for learning management and video conferencing, vhs-Lernportal for digital learning, vhs-Kursfinder for course discovery), specialized programs (Competence Center for School Completion, EOK Central Office for orientation courses, examination center for language and certification exams), quality management support (vhs.QM), and continuing education for member institution staff. The organization also coordinates educational leave services, international programs (Erasmus+), inclusion initiatives, and statistical administration for its member institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• vhs-Lernportal: Online learning portal offering digital learning environments for school completion courses in German, Mathematics, and English
• vhs.cloud
• DigiNetz
• GrubiNetz
• Bildungszeit-Service
• vhs.QM
• EOK-Zentralstelle
• DBS - Dialog- und Beratungsstelle
• Kompetenzzentrum Schulabschluss
• Prüfungszentrale

Products and services

• vhs.cloud Cloud-based learning and collaboration platform for member Volkshochschulen, providing video conferencing (BigBlueButton/zoomX), internal communication channels, course management, and topic-specific groups (Quality Development, Schulabschluss, Integration, Digitalization).
• vhs-Lernportal Digital learning environment offering interactive courses for school completion preparation (Schulabschluss) including German, Mathematics, and English, plus consumer protection and finance topics. Free registration and use.
• vhs-Kursfinder Nationwide online course search engine operated by the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband, enabling users to find Volkshochschule courses by topic and type (online, blended learning, in-person) across all vhs locations in Germany.
• Kompetenzzentrum Schulabschluss Ministry-funded project that strengthens and networks offerings for obtaining school-leaving qualifications (Hauptschulabschluss, Realschulabschluss, Abitur) across 18 member Volkshochschulen, serving as the central point of contact for citizens, educational institutions, and instructors.
• Bildungszeit-Service Centralized service processing Bildungszeit (educational leave) recognition applications on behalf of member Volkshochschulen, including consultation and maintenance of a portfolio of recognized courses.
• Prüfungszentrale (Examination Center) State-level examination center supporting vhs institutions in examination activities, advising member facilities and participants, managing the state examiner team, and organizing examiner qualifications and training.
• Sprachprüfungen (Language Examinations) Standardized German and foreign language examinations administered within integration courses, professional language courses, and foreign language programs, evaluated under uniform guidelines.
• telc-Prüfungen (telc Certification Exams) Licensed telc certification exams administered through a partnership with telc gGmbH, including German Test for Professions (DTB) and German Test for Immigrants (DTZ), with licensing of qualified examiners.
• Einbürgerungstests (Naturalization Tests) Citizenship tests offered locally at Volkshochschulen across Rhineland-Palatinate as part of holistic integration services.
• vhs.QM Quality Management Program Quality management program supporting member Volkshochschulen in quality development, providing targeted, institution-specific assistance aligned with LQW and AZAV certification frameworks.
• Fortbildungen (Professional Development Training) Continuing education programs for vhs course instructors, program planners, and vhs directors covering quality management, counseling, pedagogical methods, and didactic skills. Free for vhs employees from Rhineland-Palatinate; 50 EUR per single-day event for external participants.
• EOK-Zentralstelle Rheinland-Pfalz Central coordination office responsible for selecting, coordinating, advising, and administering all BAMF Erstorientierungskurs (EOK) providers in Rhineland-Palatinate.
• Erasmus+ Adult Education Program European exchange and professional development program enabling international cooperation and staff mobility for member Volkshochschulen in adult education.
• vhs-Landesstatistik (State Continuing Education Statistics) State-level statistical reporting on continuing education in Rhineland-Palatinate compiled in accordance with the Continuing Education Act.
• DigiNetz der Volkshochschulen Digital literacy project supporting citizens in acquiring digital competencies, coordinated and delivered through the member Volkshochschulen across Rhineland-Palatinate.
• GrubiNetz (Basic Education and Literacy Network) ESF+ and state-funded network coordinating alpha and basic education courses, providing literacy support across Rhineland-Palatinate.
• Digitaler Berufsreife-Kurs Purely online course offered by vhs Kaiserslautern in cooperation with the Competence Center for School Completion, preparing students for the Berufsreife vocational certificate through approximately one year of live online instruction and in-person sessions.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Johannes Gutenberg-Universität MainzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for training events and professional development programs. Joint continuing education offerings where university facilities and academic expertise complement vhs pedagogical experience. Special participation terms apply for vhs employees with reduced fees.
• Katholische Erwachsenenbildung Rheinland-Pfalz e.V. (KEB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of the Dialog- und Beratungsstelle (DBS) - Dialogue and Counseling Center for Language Education for Adults with Migration Background. Co-managed by both organizations to support the Ministry for Family, Women, Culture and Integration.
• telc gGmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensing partner for standardized language examinations. The association's Prüfungszentrale (examination center) administers telc language certificates including German tests for professional purposes (DTB), integration tests, and other standardized language certifications.
• Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding source and regulatory authority for integration courses and BAMF-Erstorientierungskurse (EOK). The association coordinates EOK courses through its Zentralstelle and member institutions as approved course providers.
• ProfeS GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner in the BAMF EOK Zentralstelle project (2023-2025). Jointly responsible for selection, coordination, and administrative management of all EOK course providers in Rhineland-Palatinate.
• Pädagogisches Landesinstitut Rheinland-PfalzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for AI training for teachers and parents. The association coordinates free AI training offerings that vhs institutions can deliver, with funding and curriculum support from the educational institute.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hessischer Volkshochschulverband: State-level association of Volkshochschulen in Hesse with the same mandate (membership representation, training, quality development, ministerial liaison) as vhs-RLP.
• Bayerischer Volkshochschulverband (BVV): The state-level association of Volkshochschulen in Bavaria, structurally and functionally the closest direct peer: it serves as the interest/professional association for member vhs in its state, coordinates quality, training, and government-funded projects under the corresponding state Weiterbildungsgesetz.
• Katholische Erwachsenenbildung Rheinland-Pfalz (KEB RLP): Confessional adult-education state association that jointly operates the DBS Dialog- und Beratungsstelle with vhs-RLP. Competes for similar state integration funding while cooperating with the Verband on shared projects.
• Volkshochschulverband Baden-Württemberg: State-level vhs association for Baden-Württemberg; performs the same role of coordinating member vhs, providing professional development, and administering state-funded adult education programs. Direct structural peer to vhs-RLP.

Broad incumbents

• Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband (DVV): The federal/national umbrella association of all German Volkshochschulen and the operator of the cross-state vhs.cloud and vhs-Kursfinder platforms. It is the natural apex peer: a state-level Verband like vhs-RLP operates within DVV's national framework and uses its platforms.
• DGB Bildungswerk: Federal labor-union-affiliated adult-education provider, offering a portfolio of professional development and civic education that overlaps with Volkshochschul programming at national scale.

Others

• telc gGmbH: Licensing partner of vhs-RLP's Prüfungszentrale for standardized language examinations (DTZ, DTB, integration tests). Strategic ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but operationally tightly coupled to vhs-RLP's examination revenue.
• Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF): Federal funder/regulator of integration and orientation courses. vhs-RLP's EOK-Zentralstelle operates under BAMF's framework; treating BAMF as an ecosystem counterparty rather than a competitor, but its policy decisions directly shape vhs-RLP's integration-course revenue.

Regional players

• Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft für eine andere Weiterbildung (LAG AW): Rhineland-Palatinate umbrella of confessional and independent adult-education providers (including KEB). Competes for the same Land funding pool as the vhs-Verband and represents a parallel adult-education coordination structure in the same state.

Emerging players

• Arbeit und Leben Rheinland-Pfalz: Joint DGB/Volkshochschul adult-education delivery organization providing politically oriented labor and civic education, partially overlapping with vhs offerings in RLP and receiving complementary state funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verband-der-volkshochschulen-von-rheinland-pfalz-e-v-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Verband der Volkshochschulen von Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.