Settlementet Vesterbro

What Settlementet Vesterbro does

Settlementet Vesterbro (legal name: Fonden Settlementet på Vesterbro, CVR 18 21 08 51) is a Danish non-profit foundation founded in 1911 as Kristeligt Studenter Settlement, headquartered at Dybbølsgade 41, Copenhagen V, with a secondary vacation property (Lyngborgen) in Odsherred. The organization delivers free social services to vulnerable adults on Vesterbro through five interconnected program lines: (1) Rådgivningen — accredited legal aid, debt counseling, and social counseling serving ~1,000 people annually; (2) Uddannelse & Beskæftigelse — employment and education pathways operationalized through the Trædestensmetoden, an 8-principle Stepping Stone Method co-developed with Jobcenter København and the research institute Vive in 2017; (3) Saxogade — the world's first social economic street (since 1986), comprising nine social enterprise shops (café, bicycle repair, tailoring, vintage, gardening, wine, graphic design, barbershop, children's clothing) that serve as internship platforms for 230+ participants annually; (4) Gang i Gaden — a drop-in community venue on Istedgade opened in 2007 offering meals, bathing, laundry, and counseling without prior referral; and (5) Klubberne — seven social clubs serving ~300 participants across ages and ethnicities.

The revenue model is a foundation-grant-dependent mixed model combining donation streams (KLUB400 monthly program at 40 DKK, MobilePay, one-time gifts), foundation grants from 60+ named funds (VELUX FONDEN, Tuborgfondet, Nordea Fonden, Tryg Fonden, Augustinus Fonden, Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Antoniusfonden, and others), public sector contracts with Copenhagen Jobcenter, Socialforvaltningen, and Beskæftigelses- og Integrationsforvaltningen, retail revenue from Saxogade shops, and rental income from Lyngborgen. Corporate CSR partnerships are sold through three tiers (Partner, Lokalpartner, Eventpartner). The go-to-market is community-led and relationship-based, relying on newsletters, events, social media, earned media (TV2, Børsen, RTL coverage), and a network of 175 partner companies that the organization leverages to convert commercial positions into flexjob opportunities. In 2025, the organization served 1,869 people in vulnerable positions; the current corporate technology stack is Squarespace-hosted with MobilePay, Cookiebot, and Vimeo integrations, and no AI/ML capability is disclosed.

Name

Settlementet Vesterbro

Legal name

Fonden Settlementet på Vesterbro

Website

https://settlementet.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Settlementet Vesterbro is a Danish non-profit foundation founded in 1911 that delivers free social counseling, employment pathway programs, community spaces, and social enterprise shops to vulnerable adults on Vesterbro in Copenhagen, supported by foundation grants, public contracts, donations, and earned revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Private Contributions: Monthly donor program (Klub400 at 40 DKK/month), one-time donations via MobilePay and bank transfer, and general private fundraising.
2. Foundation and Fund Grants: Major funding from approximately 60+ named foundations including VELUX FONDEN, Tuborgfondet, Nordea Fonden, Tryg Fonden, and many others listed in annual reports.
3. Public Sector Contracts: Collaboration agreements with Copenhagen Jobcenter, Socialforvaltningen, Beskæftigelses- og Integrationsforvaltningen, and other municipal bodies for employment pathway programs.
4. Lyngborgen Holiday Colony Rental: The Lyngborgen holiday colony in Odsherred is rented out for events, conferences, school trips, and private gatherings. Revenue goes entirely to Settlementet's social work.
5. Social Enterprise Revenue: Nine social economic shops in Saxogade (café, bicycle repair, tailoring, vintage clothing, gardening, etc.) generate revenue while serving as employment platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Settlementet Vesterbro is a Danish social welfare foundation that provides free counseling (legal aid, debt, social), community venues (Gang i Gaden), social clubs (Klubberne), and employment pathway programs for vulnerable adults on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Its flagship is the Saxogade social economic street (since 1986), the world's first, comprising nine social enterprise shops that both generate revenue and serve as practical internship environments for participants moving toward employment or education via the Trædestensmetoden.

Product overview

Settlementet Vesterbro is a social welfare organization founded in 1911 that operates a portfolio of interconnected social programs on Vesterbro in Copenhagen. Its core offerings include the Saxogade social economy street (with nine shops: Café Sonja, Saxo Cykler, Laden i Gaden, Grønne Kræfter, Papirtiger, Ruben & Bobby, Heidi & Bjarne, Szoba, and Høtoft Vinhandel), the Rådgivningen counseling services (legal aid, debt counseling, and social counseling), the Gang i Gaden community venue, Klubberne social clubs, and the Lyngborgen vacation colony in Odsherred. Supporting functions include the Uddannelse & Beskæftigelse (education and employment) program using the Trædestensmetoden, and the Udviklingskontoret (Development Office) for fundraising and communications. Key fundraising initiatives include the KLUB400 monthly donor program and the HÅB40 40th anniversary celebration. In 2025, the organization helped 1,869 people in vulnerable positions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Saxogade (Social Economic Street) The world's first and only social economy street on Vesterbro in Copenhagen, comprising nine social economy shops (café, bicycle repair, tailoring, vintage clothing, gardening, wine shop, graphic design, children's clothing, and a thrift shop). Provides internship and employment pathways for vulnerable adults while generating commercial revenue that supports Settlementet's social work. Operations hosted at Saxogade street address in Vesterbro, Copenhagen.
• Rådgivningen (Counseling Services) Free, independent counseling services covering legal aid, debt counseling, and social counseling. Staffed by four employees and approximately 30 volunteer counselors with professional backgrounds in social work, law, and economics. Accredited by Rådgivnings Danmark. Serves approximately 1,000 people annually.
• Gang i Gaden (Community Venue) An active community venue on Istedgade, Vesterbro, operating as an open drop-in space for adults with no pre-registration or referral required. Offers free breakfast and lunch, bathing and laundry facilities, counseling, and community activities. Focus on rights, health, and community belonging. Received a positive supervisory assessment from Socialtilsynet Hovedstaden in May 2025.
• Klubberne (Social Clubs) Social community groups serving approximately 300 people across seven different clubs: Fakhras Kvindeklub (women's club), Madam Blå (senior day school club), Klubben Månen og Stjernen (daily gathering club), Dominoklubben (board games), Madklubben (Cuban food and salsa), Lyngborg Udvalget (holiday colony maintenance), and Ungeklubben (young people's club). Activities run nearly every day year-round, combating loneliness and providing community across ages, ethnicities, and genders.
• Lyngborgen (Vacation Colony) Vacation colony established in 1920 in a protected heather area by Sejerøbugt beach in Odsherred, Denmark. Offers 58 beds across ten rooms and a large event space called Pyramiden (capacity 100). Rented out year-round for events, conferences, school trips, and private gatherings; all revenue goes directly to Settlementet's social programs.
• Uddannelse & Beskæftigelse (Education & Employment Programs) Education and employment programs supporting vulnerable adults (30+) and young people (18–29) in moving toward jobs or education through the Trædestensmetoden (Stepping Stone Method) — an 8-principle framework. Participants receive mentoring, internships in one of nine Saxogade social economy shops, CV support, job search assistance, and connections to a network of 175 partner companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,869 people helped in 2025 through social programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jobcenter København (Copenhagen Jobcenter)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration with Settlementet's employment initiative; week after week reaching people who need a special stepping stone to work communities. Central partner in the Trædestensmetoden framework.
• Vive (The Danish Center for Social Science Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Jobcenter København and Settlementet to develop the Trædestensmetoden, the 8-principle framework underpinning the employment support approach.
• Socialstyrelsen (Danish Social Services Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating authority on social welfare programs alongside other public institutions listed in annual reports.
• Civilstyrelsen (Danish Civil Affairs Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a public institution partner in Settlementet's annual collaboration.
• Vesterbro Lokaludvalg (Vesterbro Local Committee)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal governance body listed as a collaborating institution for Settlementet's community work on Vesterbro.
• 175 companies in Saxogade networkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA network of 175 companies that collaborate with Settlementet, providing internships and flexible job positions. Company consultants work to inspire businesses to break 37-hour positions into multiple roles for flexjob employees.
• Legal DeskminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing free online will creation services for supporters of Settlementet through the 'inheritance and testament' support program.
• Folkehuset AbsalonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFacilitated the long-table dinner (langbordsmiddag) during Saxogade's 40th anniversary celebration HÅB40 on May 20, 2026.
• Nordisk DansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted folk dance sessions during the Saxogade 40th anniversary celebration HÅB40 on May 20, 2026.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mødrehjælpen: Danish non-profit providing social counseling, legal aid, and family support — directly comparable to Settlementet's Rådgivningen (free legal aid, debt counseling, and social counseling) service model.
• KFUM & KFUK i Danmark: Danish Christian youth and social-work organization running community programs, clubs, and education initiatives — directly comparable as a faith-rooted social-services NGO in Denmark combining community-building, education, and volunteer-driven delivery.
• Huset Zornig: Copenhagen-based social-services hub focused on vulnerable adults with drop-in facilities, counseling, and advocacy — directly comparable as a Copenhagen grassroots social-services provider with walk-in community support.
• Folkekirkens Nødhjælp / DanChurchAid: Danish faith-rooted development and humanitarian organization running community programs, employment support, and social inclusion initiatives — comparable to Settlementet's employment pathway and community-building model.
• Greyston: U.S.-based social enterprise running 'Open Hiring' (no-barriers employment) combined with workforce development and integrated businesses — directly comparable to Settlementet's Saxogade 'internship in social enterprise shops' pathway model.
• Kirkens Korshær (The Salvation Army Denmark): Danish Salvation Army operating social welfare programs including drop-in centers, social counseling, and employment initiatives for vulnerable populations — directly comparable to Settlementet's Gang i Gaden drop-in and counseling services.
• Frelsens Hær (Salvation Army Denmark): Danish branch of The Salvation Army operating social services for homeless, vulnerable adults, and people in debt — directly comparable to Settlementet's Gang i Gaden drop-in, counseling, and community support offerings.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army International: Global faith-rooted social welfare organization operating drop-in centers, employment programs, and community support worldwide — broadly comparable as a multi-service, volunteer-driven social-services incumbent.
• Røde Kors Danmark (Danish Red Cross): Denmark's largest humanitarian organization running social programs, refugee integration, and community support — comparable as a Danish non-profit with paid staff plus volunteers, multiple service lines, and government partnerships.

Emerging players

• Toast Ale: UK social-enterprise brewery whose revenue model combines commercial production with charitable mission and supply-chain training for excluded populations — comparable as a social-enterprise operator combining retail with social-impact pathway.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/settlementet-p-vesterbro

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Settlementet Vesterbro