Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg

What Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg does

Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg is a non-profit youth education organization founded in 2014 and registered as an eingetragener Verein (e.V.) in Mannheim, Germany. It delivers practical, hands-on vocational orientation projects that combine traditional craftsmanship (woodworking, metalwork, stone carving, paper making, bookbinding, ceramics, gardening), artistic practice (film, stop motion, graphic design, painting), and youth social work pedagogy. The organization serves three principal audiences: secondary school students across the Mannheim, Heidelberg, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, and Karlsruhe regions through three core program formats (Bauhütte, KooBO Standard, and KooBO Z Kompakt); young people aged 15–25 facing barriers to education, training, or employment through day-structure and transition programs (Tagesstruktur and Talentwerk); and European volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps. In 2025, the organization worked with 73 schools, reaching approximately 1,300 students.

Its product portfolio includes both delivery formats and self-developed tools. The proprietary Koobox is a physical craft kit with accompanying video tutorials, created during COVID-19 to enable contactless delivery. JobCity is a cooperative board game for migrant career orientation, featuring culture-neutral game pieces and QR-coded profession videos. The Bauhütte XL format, introduced in 2018, deploys the full staff (~18 employees at the time) on projects of approximately 100 students. The organization operates from a heritage-listed former railway maintenance facility (Bahnbetriebswerk) at Am Bahnbetriebswerk 3, Heidelberg, renovated from 2016–2019 and finalized in 2024 as part of the IBA Heidelberg exPRO 3 project.

The revenue model is entirely grant- and donation-funded: services to youth are free of charge, and no commercial fees are charged to participants or commissioning schools. Program funding flows from the Agentur für Arbeit (50% subsidy for Bauhütte projects), ZSL Baden-Württemberg / Kultusministerium (KooBO Standard and Z Kompakt), the ESF Plus / Läuft?! consortium (youth social work), and at least five recurring foundations (Eberhard-Schöck, Globus, Dietmar-Hopp, Pfeiffer-und-May, SAGST). Individual donations are accepted via PayPal and bank transfer to GLS Bank. Project acquisition is event-driven: schools apply to Agentur für Arbeit or ZSL and Werkstattschule acts as implementing partner; youth social work intake is managed by Jugendagentur Heidelberg eG as of January 2026. The organization is governed by a four-member board (Vorstand) chaired operationally by Kyran Dobler (Geschäftsführer).

Name

Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg

Legal name

WERKstattSCHULE e.V. Heidelberg

Website

https://werkstattschule-heidelberg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg is a non-profit that delivers hands-on, craft-based vocational orientation projects combining craftsmanship, art, and youth social work to secondary school students, NEET youth, and European volunteers in the Rhein-Neckar region of Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Vocational Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Alternative Education & Dropout Prevention / Re-Engagement Programs (EDANAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Youth vocational orientation
• Craft-based education
• Youth social work
• School project programs
• Career orientation workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidelberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Project fees from public funders (schools and employment agencies): School projects (Bauhütte) are partially funded (50%) through applications to the Agentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). KooBO Standard and KooBO Z Kompakt programs are funded through ZSL Baden-Württemberg (Kultusministerium BW). Youth social work programs are funded through the Läuft?! consortium and the ESF Plus (European Social Fund). Revenue is generated through competitive public grants and project fees negotiated with institutional funders, not through participant fees — participation for youth is free.
2. Foundation grants and institutional donations: The organization receives ongoing support from foundations including Eberhard-Schöck-Stiftung, Globus-Stiftung, Dietmar-Hopp-Stiftung, Pfeiffer-und-May-Stiftung, and SAGST. These foundations provide project-specific and general operating funding. The organization also receives donations from private individuals via PayPal and bank transfer (GLS Bank).
3. Individual donations and crowdfunding: The organization accepts individual donations via PayPal and bank transfer (IBAN: DE53 4306 0967 6034 7276 00, GLS Bank). Donations under €300 do not require a receipt for tax purposes; the organization provides donation certificates (Zuwendungsbescheinigungen) upon request for larger amounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg delivers hands-on, project-based educational programs combining craftsmanship, art, and youth social work pedagogy for school students (Schulprojekte), disadvantaged youth aged 15-25 (Jugendsozialarbeit), and international volunteers (Internationales via the European Solidarity Corps). Programs include Bauhütte, KooBO Standard, and KooBO Z Kompakt formats for career orientation, plus Tagesstruktur and Talentwerk for youth with barriers to education or employment, all delivered free to participants through public and foundation funding.

Product overview

Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg is a non-profit educational organization offering a portfolio of programs combining craftsmanship, art, and pedagogy. The core offerings include practical school projects (Bauhütte, KooBO Standard, KooBO Z Kompakt) for career orientation, youth social work programs (Tagesstruktur, Talentwerk) for young people aged 15-25, and international programs through the European Solidarity Corps. The organization also developed sub-brands including KooBox (digital career orientation kit), JobCity (board game for migrants), and Knotenpunkt (women's integration project, now independently managed). The Labor serves as the creative workshop showcasing project ideas and completed works. All programs aim to help participants discover talents and develop confidence through hands-on, practical experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KooBox: A box-based career orientation kit developed during COVID-19 pandemic containing modules for different professional fields including Book & Print, Bluetooth Box, Stop Motion, Microgreens, and Top Jobs.
• Knotenpunkt
• JobCity
• Talentwerk
• Tagesstruktur
• Bauhütte
• KooBO Standard
• KooBO Z Kompakt

Products and services

• Schulprojekte (School Projects) Practical, action-oriented projects for students from special education schools (Förderschule) through vocational grammar schools (Berufliches Gymnasium), aimed at discovering talents, applying them meaningfully, and considering them for career choices.
• Jugendsozialarbeit (Youth Social Work) Programs encouraging young people aged 15-25 to discover and develop personal talents in a protected space characterized by trust and positive experiences, transforming talents into personal, educational, or career-relevant goals.
• Internationales (International Programs) European Solidarity Corps involvement since 2017, acting as both sending organization (dispatching German young people abroad) and receiving organization (hosting international volunteers in Heidelberg).
• Bauhütte Customized project format combining multiple trades and work fields under one roof to realize a joint major project. Suitable for all school types with variable format, time period, and budget; 50% funding available through the Federal Employment Agency.
• KooBO Standard Cooperative career orientation program under ZSL Baden-Württemberg (Ministry of Education), where Werkstattschule implements practical projects at schools to support students in career orientation and discovering their talents.
• KooBO Z Kompakt

Quantifiable outcome

• 73 schools served in 2025 across the Mannheim-Heidelberg-Rhein-Neckar-Kreis-Karlsruhe region
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministerium für Kultus, Jugend und Sport Baden-WürttembergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Culture is a key institutional supporter, providing policy-level backing and access to ZSL programmes (KooBO Standard and KooBO Z Kompakt) that enable Werkstattschule to serve as a KooBO implementation partner in schools across the state.
• ZSL Baden-Württemberg (Zentrum für Schulqualität und Lehrerbildung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZSL administers the KooBO and KooBO Z Kompakt vocational orientation programmes. Werkstattschule is an official KooBO partner, implementing these programmes in schools under ZSL's programmatic framework.
• Agentur für Arbeit Heidelberg / MannheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Federal Employment Agency provides 50% funding for Bauhütte school projects through individual project applications. Werkstattschule assists schools with the application process for this subsidy.
• Jugendagentur Heidelberg eGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs of January 2026, the Jugendagentur Heidelberg eG manages all inquiries and the intake process for youth social work programs (Tagesstruktur, Talentwerk). They serve as the centralized referral gateway for young people entering Werkstattschule's youth social work services.
• Läuft?! Verbundprojekt (Rhein-Neckar-Kreis)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Läuft?! consortium brings together four organizations — VbI Heidelberg e.V., Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg, Job Central (Regionale Jugendagentur Badische Bergstraße e.V.), and Jugendagentur Heidelberg eG — to jointly operate youth day-structure programs. Each organization focuses on different aspects while sharing methods and activities.
• Eberhard-Schöck-StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Eberhard-Schöck Foundation supports innovative construction and engineering education projects. Listed as a foundation partner supporting Werkstattschule's project work.
• Globus-StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Globus Foundation supports projects that promote social welfare and education. Listed as a supporting foundation for Werkstattschule's programs.
• Dietmar-Hopp-StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dietmar Hopp Foundation, based in the Rhine-Neckar region, supports youth education and social projects. Listed as a supporting foundation.
• Pfeiffer-und-May-StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA regional foundation supporting educational and social projects in the Heidelberg area. Listed as a partner foundation.
• SAGST (Stiftung für Anschub und Gestaltung von Sozial-Transfer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA foundation focused on social innovation and transfer projects. Listed as a partner supporting Werkstattschule.
• IBA Heidelberg (Internationale Bauausstellung Heidelberg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWerkstattschule was selected as an official IBA Heidelberg project (exPRO 3) in June 2015. The IBA supported the organization's building expansion from 2016-2019, which created new learning spaces. IBA Heidelberg's 'Wissen | schafft | Stadt' theme aligned with Werkstattschule's educational mission. The completed building was presented at the IBA Finale in 2022.
• Die Werkstatt Spielart eGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA cooperative playground construction company that shares Wurmfing history and premises with Werkstattschule at the Bahnbetriebswerk. Both organizations grew from the same parent organization (Werkstatt e.V.) and collaborate closely. Die Werkstatt Spielart eG designs and builds children's play spaces, and shares workshop facilities at the Heidelberg site.
• Sindbad Food GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA catering and event company that operates from the gastronomy and event spaces at the Bahnbetriebswerk. Werkstattschule's team assisted in designing and building the interior during the COVID-19 period when capacity was available. Sindbad provides catering services for events at the site.
• Quinoa-Schule BerlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Berlin school for migrant and refugee youth that invited Werkstattschule to deliver a Bauhütte project in 2024, transforming the school's courtyard through a 5-day collaborative project. The school's Managing Director, Hendrikje Lorenz, was formerly the Managing Director of Werkstattschule e.V.
• Baufachfrau Berlin e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Berlin-based organization focused on environmental and gender-specific perspectives in construction and craft. Partnered with Werkstattschule and Werkstatt für Alles on the Quinoa-Schule Berlin project, bringing expertise in urban greening and sustainable landscaping.
• Werkstatt für AllesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA creative Berlin organization known for innovative public space projects. Partnered with Werkstattschule and Baufachfrau Berlin e.V. on the Quinoa-Schule project, contributing design, wood construction, and spatial staging expertise.
• European Solidarity Corps (ESC) / Erasmus+ JugendcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European Solidarity Corps is an EU programme that enables young people to volunteer abroad in non-profit projects. Werkstattschule has been an active participant since 2017, serving as both a sending organization (sending German youth abroad) and a host organization (receiving international volunteers in Heidelberg).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kolping Bildungswerk: A major German Catholic-affiliated vocational education and training network. Comparable to Werkstattschule in delivering vocational orientation and youth programs, but at much greater national scale and with a broader program portfolio.
• Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (bbw): Large Bavarian vocational education and training provider. Comparable to Werkstattschule in vocational orientation mission, but operates at a multi-state scale with broader employer partnerships and corporate training offerings.
• CJD (Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschlands): One of Germany's largest non-profit vocational education and youth social work providers, offering vocational orientation, training, and social integration programs nationwide. Overlaps with Werkstattschule on youth social work and vocational orientation, but operates at far larger scale and offers a broader service portfolio.

Direct peers

• Baufachfrau Berlin e.V. Berlin-based non-profit providing environmental and gender-specific perspectives in construction and craft education. Direct peer: Werkstattschule partnered with Baufachfrau on the 2024 Quinoa-Schule Berlin project, indicating overlapping craft-education methodology.
• VbI Heidelberg e.V. Heidelberg-based non-profit focus on education and integration. Direct peer: part of the Läuft?! Verbundprojekt consortium with Werkstattschule, jointly operating youth day-structure programs in the Rhine-Neckar region.
• Joblinge: A non-profit initiative supporting young people facing barriers to training and employment through mentoring and practical orientation. Directly comparable to Werkstattschule's Tagesstruktur and Talentwerk programs, but operates at national scale across multiple German cities.
• Werkstatt für Alles: Berlin creative organization focused on innovative public space, woodworking, and design-build projects. Direct peer: partnered with Werkstattschule on the 2024 Quinoa-Schule Berlin courtyard transformation, sharing a craft-meets-pedagogy approach.
• Quinoa – Bildung gGmbH: Berlin-based non-profit school for migrant and refugee youth, founded/exited by Werkstattschule's former Geschäftsführerin Hendrikje Lorenz. Direct peer in migrant vocational orientation; Werkstattschule delivered a 2024 Bauhütte project at Quinoa-Schule Berlin.

Others

• startsocial: National non-profit initiative supporting social-purpose organizations with consulting and capacity building. While not a direct vocational peer, startsocial operates in the same ecosystem of publicly-supported social innovation organizations and shares donor/institutional funding sources with Werkstattschule.
• Die Werkstatt Spielart eG: Cooperative playground construction company that shares the Bahnbetriebswerk premises and common parent organization history with Werkstattschule. Functionally a sibling organization rather than a competitor, useful as a structural peer and co-located partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC
• Facebookfacebook.com/werkstattschuleheidelberg
• Instagraminstagram.com/werkstattschule_heidelberg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/werkstattschule-e-v-heidelberg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Werkstattschule e.V. Heidelberg