Prodemos - Huis Voor Democratie En Rechtsstaat

What Prodemos - Huis Voor Democratie En Rechtsstaat does

ProDemos - Huis voor Democratie en Rechtsstaat is a Dutch non-profit foundation (stichting) established on 30 September 2010 through the merger of Instituut voor Publiek en Politiek (IPP) and Stichting Bezoekerscentrum Binnenhof (SBB), and serves as the official national "House for Democracy and Rule of Law" headquartered at Hofweg 1H in The Hague near the Binnenhof. The organization delivers experiential civic education to Dutch primary, secondary, vocational (MBO), and teacher-training institutions, as well as to Dutch municipalities, provinces, water boards, courts, the Tweede and Eerste Kamer, and the general public (including new Dutch citizens / inburgeraars). Its core mission is to explain the rules of democracy and the rule of law and to show citizens how to exercise influence at municipal, water board, provincial, national, and European levels.

The product portfolio comprises on-site educational programs (Democracity, Politiek in een Dag, Provinciespel, Klassenbezoek@Gemeentehuis, court visits Rechtbankbezoek, Cursus Politiek Actief, Gastles Rechtspraak, and Kamerdebat in de klas), a suite of digital tools (StemWijzer voting aid, PartijenWijzer party guide, ParticipatieWijzer citizen-participation framework, Krachtenveld and Regering visualizations, and rule-of-law classroom tools hosted at tools.prodemos.nl), a searchable educational-materials database at lesmateriaal.prodemos.nl, an online reservation system at reserveer.prodemos.nl, podcasts (De ProDemos Podcast, De RaadsWijzer), video series (Het Kamergesprek, Haagse Stemmen), and printed/digital publications sold via the onderwijsinformatie.nl webshop. The technology stack is a set of proprietary web platforms with self-hosted Matomo alongside Google Analytics, and the organization is committed to WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility (audited by Stichting Accessibility) and AVG/GDPR compliance with a named Data Protection Officer.

ProDemos operates with a staff of approximately 145-153, of which roughly 128 are trained guides and guest teachers supported by planning/customer-contact staff, education experts, project managers, communications, HR, ICT, facility, and finance teams. The organization is primarily funded by the Dutch government through the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK); the Minister of BZK also approves appointments to the Raad van Toezicht. Programs for schools are largely free (subsidized), while physical publications generate modest ancillary revenue through the webshop. Distribution is single-country (Netherlands) via direct delivery to schools/courts/municipal buildings, the visitor center in The Hague, self-serve online tools (StemWijzer, lesmateriaal database), and partnerships with over 300 municipalities, all 12 provinces, the 21 water boards (via Unie van Waterschappen), and all Dutch courts.

Name

Prodemos - Huis Voor Democratie En Rechtsstaat

Legal name

Stichting ProDemos - Huis voor democratie en rechtsstaat

Website

https://prodemos.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ProDemos is the Dutch national foundation for civic education on democracy and the rule of law, delivering experiential programs, digital tools (StemWijzer, ParticipatieWijzer), and publications to schools, municipalities, provinces, courts, and citizens across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Education Services

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Civic Education & Community Engagement (Voting, Local Government) (EDAAAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Democracy, Voting Rights & Civic Participation Advocacy (BPAGAFAJ), Civic, Citizenship & Community Engagement Education (EDAAAEAI), Civic Participation & Leadership Development (Voting, Advocacy, Community Leadership) (EDAAADAL)

Keywords

• Civic education
• Democracy education
• Rule of law
• Voting advice tools
• Visitor programs

Headquarters

HQ city

The Hague

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: ProDemos is a non-profit organization funded primarily by the Dutch government, specifically the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). The organization was established by and receives ongoing government support to fulfill its public mission of educating citizens about democracy and the rule of law.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ProDemos delivers civic education programs, digital tools, and visitor experiences about Dutch democracy and the rule of law. Its offerings include on-site educational programs in schools, courts, municipal and provincial buildings, a visitor center in The Hague with guided tours, digital voting aids (StemWijzer, PartijenWijzer, ParticipatieWijzer), and publications. Programs target students, teachers, government officials, new citizens, and the general public.

Product overview

ProDemos – Huis voor democratie en rechtsstaat is the Dutch House of Democracy and Rule of Law, offering a unified portfolio of educational programs, digital tools, and publications. The core offering consists of live educational programs (delivered in The Hague and nationwide at schools, courts, and municipal buildings), digital tools and voting aids (StemWijzer, PartijenWijzer, ParticipatieWijzer, and classroom simulations), and publications. Programs range from primary school civic education (Democracity, Derde Kamer lespakket) to vocational and adult civic integration (Cursus Politiek Actief). The organization also operates a visitor center in The Hague and maintains a knowledge platform with podcasts, video series, and research reports. The portfolio spans the educational sector (primary, secondary, vocational, teacher training) and government partners (municipalities, provinces, water boards, courts, and parliament).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• StemWijzer: An electoral guidance tool helping citizens make informed voting decisions
• Democracity
• Politiek in een Dag
• ParticipatieWijzer
• PartijenWijzer
• Cursus Politiek Actief

Products and services

• Educatieve Programma's A portfolio of interactive educational programs for primary, secondary, vocational, and adult education, delivered at the Binnenhof in The Hague, in schools, courts, and municipal/provincial buildings across the Netherlands. Programs include mock parliament debates, court visits, local government simulations, and civic integration courses.
• StemWijzer A digital voting advice tool (stemhulp) that helps Dutch residents prepare for elections at national, provincial, and municipal levels by matching their views to party positions. Offered as a customizable product for provinces and municipalities.
• Lesmateriaal A searchable database of teaching materials on democracy, rule of law, elections, and citizenship, filtered by topic, education level, and type of activity.
• Democracity A role-playing game for groups 7–8 primary school students where participants build a fictional city together, learning democratic decision-making and local government. Played in the council chamber of a real municipal building.
• Politiek in een Dag / Politiek in een Halve Dag Full-day and half-day programs in The Hague where student groups experience the Dutch political system, visit the House of Representatives, and hold a simulated parliamentary debate with polling.
• Bezoekerscentrum Den Haag A visitor center in The Hague offering guided tours of the House of Representatives, the Senate, historical walking tours, and family tours for children aged 6–12.
• Het Kamergesprek A video series in which presenter Kemal Rijken discusses current parliamentary debates with a rotating panel of experts, explaining the issues and context of Dutch national politics.
• Haagse Stemmen Short micro-lectures by political journalists examining pressing topics in Dutch national politics.
• ParticipatieWijzer A digital decision-making framework for aldermen, municipal officials, council members, and their staff, helping facilitate constructive conversations about citizen participation and make evidence-based choices.
• Cursus Politiek Actief A civic education course for individuals considering political involvement, offered in partnership with municipalities, helping participants understand local decision-making and political participation options.
• Provinciespel A game-based program for secondary students where they establish their own province, form political parties, and make collective decisions about infrastructure, internet, and economic development.
• De ProDemos Podcast A podcast series featuring conversations with guests on current and timeless themes related to democracy and the rule of law in the Netherlands.
• De RaadsWijzer A podcast in which Marcel Bamberg investigates local politics together with experts and practitioners in six episodes.
• Digitale Tools (Rechtsstaat) Digital classroom tools including 'Van rechtszaak naar uitspraak' and 'Wie zit waar in de rechtszaal?' that visualize the rule of law and judiciary for educational use.
• Digitale Tools (Landelijk Bestuur) Digital classroom tools such as 'Krachtenveld' and 'Regering' that visualize national governance and politics for classroom use.
• PartijenWijzer A digital guide providing information about political parties, their positions, and their backgrounds.
• Publicaties Printed and digital publications including brochures, booklets, newspapers, and books on democracy, rule of law, Dutch politics, European Union, and elections, available for free download or purchase.
• Reserveringssysteem An online reservation system for educational programs and visitor center activities, with separate account types for regular users and teachers at educational institutions.
• Klassenbezoek@Gemeentehuis An in-school program where students role-play as council members and hold a council meeting about a pop festival plan in their local municipal building.
• Kamerdebat in de klas Workshop in which ProDemos staff come to schools to teach parliamentary debate techniques.
• Politiek in Vogelvlucht An interactive game covering the entire Dutch political system in a few hours, combined with a visit to the Tweede Kamer.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42.6 million media impressions in 2023 through articles mentioning ProDemos in social and online media
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Instituut voor Publiek en Politiek (IPP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2010The IPP merged into ProDemos upon its founding in 2010. It was one of the original precursors to ProDemos, having developed educational programs around the Binnenhof under the name 'Huis van de democratie'.
• Stichting Bezoekerscentrum Binnenhof (SBB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2010The SBB merged into ProDemos upon its founding in 2010. It operated the visitor center at the Binnenhof and facilitated visits to parliament.
• Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Tweede Kamer is a key partner for ProDemos's visitor programs. ProDemos provides guided tours of the Tweede Kamer building, facilitates school visits, and collaborates on educational programs that bring students to the parliament. Security protocols require ProDemos to share visitor lists with the Tweede Kamer for school visits.
• Eerste Kamer (Senate)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Eerste Kamer partners with ProDemos to provide guided tours of its building, explaining the Senate's role in Dutch democracy as co-legislator and government checker.
• Dutch Courts (Gerechtelijke instanties)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProDemos works with courts (rechtbanken) across most Dutch districts to offer court visits (Rechtbankbezoek) for students and educational guest lessons on jurisprudence (Gastles Rechtspraak).
• Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties, BZK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of BZK is the primary funder and strategic partner of ProDemos. Eric Stokkink previously served as plv. directeur Democratie en Bestuur at BZK before becoming director of ProDemos. The ministry oversees appointments to the Raad van Toezicht.
• Dutch Municipalities (Gemeenten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProDemos partners with Dutch municipalities for programs including Cursus Politiek Actief, Klassenbezoek@Gemeentehuis, Democracity, and support for council members (workshop 'De raad aan het stuur'). Over 300 Dutch municipalities are served through these programs.
• Dutch Provinces (Provincies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProDemos partners with all 12 Dutch provinces for civic education programs including Cursus Politiek Actief voor de provincie, Provinciespel, Griffienieuwsbrief, and support for democratic participation initiatives.
• Unie van Waterschappen (Union of Water Boards)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Unie van Waterschappen commissioned ProDemos to develop a guest lesson with interactive game about water governance (waterschap). ProDemos also developed the Cursus Actief voor het waterschap in collaboration with the Union and with waterschappen Rivierenland and Hollandse Delta.
• Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (Ministerie van SZW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProDemos was commissioned by the Ministry of SZW to develop the Toolbox Participatieverklaring for municipalities, used for the social guidance of statushouders (recognized refugees) in their civic integration process.
• Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 meicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProDemos collaborated with the Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei on a comprehensive literature study (2023) on the democratic attitudes of Dutch adolescents aged 10-18, examining their knowledge of and engagement with democracy.
• ICLON / Leiden UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProDemos works with ICLON (Leiden University's teacher training institute) for programs like Politiek en Didactiek, which trains student teachers. Arthur Pormes, a member of the Raad van Toezicht, is a teacher trainer at ICLON.
• Nieuws in de klasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNieuws in de klas is a partner for providing free newspapers and educational news materials to schools preparing for their ProDemos Binnenhof visits. Schools can order complimentary daily and weekly newspapers through this partner.
• MadurodamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchools visiting ProDemos can combine their program with a visit to Madurodam. ProDemos shares relevant contact data with Madurodam when schools opt for this combined visit.
• Humanity HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchools can combine their ProDemos program with a visit to the Humanity House museum. Contact details are shared with Humanity House upon school consent for the combined visit.
• Museum de GevangenpoortminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchools can combine their ProDemos program with a visit to Museum de Gevangenpoort. Contact details shared with the museum upon school consent.
• MauritshuisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchools can combine their ProDemos program with a visit to the Mauritshuis museum. Contact details shared with Mauritshuis upon school consent for combined visits.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Center for Civic Education: US non-profit promoting civic education through curriculum programs like 'We the People' and 'Project Citizen'. Comparable as a civic education specialist delivering structured classroom programs for K-12 students on democratic processes.
• Democracy Works: US non-profit building voter information tools (including TurboVote) to help citizens participate in elections. Directly comparable to ProDemos's StemWijzer as a non-partisan voting aid and election engagement platform.
• iCivics: US-based non-profit founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to provide free civic education curricula, games, and tools to students. Directly comparable as a national civic education organization delivering interactive democracy learning experiences, though without the parliamentary visitor-center component.
• Rock the Vote: US non-profit focused on registering and mobilizing young voters through digital tools and civic engagement. Comparable to ProDemos in targeting youth civic participation, though with a more partisan-adjacent mobilization model rather than educational neutrality.
• Stichting NIVOZ: Dutch foundation advancing educational innovation and professional development for teachers. Comparable as a Dutch non-profit foundation focused on education with a national mandate and government-aligned mission, though focused on pedagogy more broadly than civics specifically.
• Hansard Society: UK non-profit focused on parliamentary democracy, citizen engagement, and political literacy through research, education programs, and the annual Audit of Political Engagement. Comparable in its mission to strengthen democratic participation and educate citizens about how their parliament works.
• UK Parliament Education Service: The official education and visitor service of the UK Parliament, delivering tours of Westminster, school visits, and parliamentary education resources. Closely analogous to ProDemos's visitor center, Tweede Kamer tours, and school visit programs.
• Bundestag Besucherdienst: Official visitor service of the German Bundestag providing guided tours, school visits, and educational programs about parliamentary democracy. Closely analogous to ProDemos's visitor center and Tweede Kamer programs as a parliamentary civic education offering.

Broad incumbents

• National Constitution Center: US non-profit chartered by Congress to disseminate information about the US Constitution. Comparable as a civic and constitutional education institution with a physical visitor center and educational programs, though broader in constitutional-history scope and substantially larger in scale.

Emerging players

• CIVICUS: Global alliance of civil society organizations working to strengthen citizen action and civic space worldwide. Comparable in its mission to enable civic participation, though operating as an international network rather than a direct service-delivery civic education organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prodemos---huis-voor-democratie-en-rechtsstaat

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Prodemos - Huis Voor Democratie En Rechtsstaat