Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF

What Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF does

Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF is a Dutch nonprofit foundation (Stichting) established in 1948 and headquartered in Utrecht that provides personalized guidance, financial support, language training, and mentorship to refugees in the Netherlands pursuing higher education or professional re-qualification. The organization serves refugee students (mbo through university level), refugee professionals (with a strong focus on healthcare workers needing BIG registration), and refugee scientists/academics, guiding approximately 4,000 individuals annually across 7,525 guidance modules. Its service portfolio includes UAF Academy (an online learning platform for Dutch language and career preparation), the Mentorschapsprogramma, Taalversnellingsprogramma, Medisch Assessment Traject, the Van Vlucht naar Kracht women's empowerment program, and coordination of the Netherlands section of Scholars at Risk.

UAF is funded through a diversified mix of channels: individual donations from over 27,500 donors, an annual grant from the Nationale Postcode Loterij (€1M in 2025, a €100K increase), Dutch government support via the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, corporate and foundation partnerships (e.g., Stichting de Hoorn, Fonds op Naam), and legacies/bequests. It holds CBF-Keurmerk (Erkend Goed Doel) and ANBI-status, with 84.4% of revenue spent directly on program objectives and a 6.7% fundraising cost ratio well below the CBF 25% norm. The organization distributes services directly (website, Mijn UAF client portal, UAF Academy) and through institutional referral channels including municipalities, MBO Raad, universities (Wageningen UR, TU Delft, VU Amsterdam, Utrecht University), and healthcare institutions (St. Antonius Hospital, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, UMC Utrecht). Its go-to-market relies on a direct-to-consumer model augmented by earned media, a 40,000+ subscriber newsletter, social channels, advocacy campaigns (including a 34,000-signatory petition), and the annual UAF Live! event.

Name

Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF

Legal name

Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF

Website

https://uaf.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Short description

UAF is a 1948-founded Dutch nonprofit foundation headquartered in Utrecht that provides personalized guidance, financial aid, mentorship, and language training to help refugee students and professionals (especially healthcare workers) integrate into Dutch higher education and the labor market, serving ~4,000 refugees annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refugee Education and Workforce Integration Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee, Crisis & Humanitarian Education Partnerships (EiE) (EDADALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Newcomer & Refugee Student Support Programs (EDAJAGAH), International Student Academic & Personal Support (case management, referrals) (EDALANAE), Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI)

Keywords

• Refugee education support
• Nonprofit foundation services
• Career guidance services
• Language learning platform
• Refugee integration programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Utrecht

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from private individuals. The organization has over 27,500 individual donors. Donation options range from one-time gifts to monthly and annual recurring contributions. Donations can be made via iDeal, credit card, or SEPA direct debit.
2. Nationale Postcode Loterij: Annual contribution from the Dutch Postcode Lottery. UAF received €1 million in 2025, representing a €100,000 increase from the prior year. The lottery has supported UAF for over 20 years.
3. Government Grants and Subsidies: The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (Ministerie van Onderwijs Cultuur en Wetenschap) is listed as a partner, indicating government funding. UAF also conducts advocacy and lobby activities directed at government bodies.
4. Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Corporate donations, foundation grants, 'Fonds op Naam' (named funds starting at €50,000 or €10,000/year for 5+ years), and special gifts (bijzondere giften). Organizations such as Stichting de Hoorn support specific programs.
5. Legacies and Bequests: UAF accepts legacy gifts and bequests (nalatenschap). Donors can include UAF in their will, which qualifies for tax exemptions as an ANBI institution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF is a Dutch nonprofit foundation that provides personalized guidance, financial support, and career counseling to refugee students and professionals in the Netherlands, helping them access Dutch education (mbo through university) and the Dutch labor market. The organization delivers one-on-one coaching, mentorship pairing, Dutch language training, diploma recognition support, and specialized tracks for healthcare professionals, while also coordinating the Netherlands section of Scholars at Risk for endangered scientists.

Product overview

Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF offers a comprehensive support ecosystem for refugees in the Netherlands, combining personalized guidance, financial assistance, and access to networks. The core offerings include: UAF Academy (an online learning platform for Dutch language and career preparation), mentorship programs connecting refugees with experienced professionals, and specialized tracks for healthcare professionals (medical assessment support). Additional services include study choice guidance, financial support for study materials and exams, the Taalversnellingsprogramma for language acceleration, and the Van Vlucht naar Kracht women's empowerment program. UAF also coordinates Scholars at Risk Nederland for endangered scientists. The organization operates as a not-for-profit foundation, not a technology platform, providing human-centered support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UAF Academy: Online learning and development platform providing free e-learnings for refugees to learn Dutch language and find information about studying and working in the Netherlands.
• Taalversnellingsprogramma

Products and services

• UAF Academy Free online learning and development platform providing e-learnings in Dutch language and information about studying and working in the Netherlands, accessible to registered refugees.
• Mentorschapsprogramma Mentorship program pairing refugee students and professionals with volunteer mentors who guide them through the Dutch education system and labor market integration.
• Taalversnellingsprogramma Language acceleration program helping refugees practice Dutch through small online group conversation sessions led by volunteer conversation leaders, held twice weekly.
• Studiekeuzebegeleiding Guidance service helping refugees choose appropriate Dutch study programs (mbo through university) that align with their ambitions, prior qualifications, and background.
• Financiële ondersteuning Financial assistance program covering study materials, travel costs, language courses, and examination fees for refugee students pursuing education in the Netherlands.
• Medisch Assessment Traject Specialized support trajectory for refugee healthcare professionals including medical language training, exam preparation, BIG-registration guidance, and mentorship connections to help them return to practice in the Netherlands.
• Scholars at Risk Nederland International network coordinated by UAF, connecting endangered scientists and academics with Dutch educational institutions to continue their research careers safely. The network includes 600+ institutions in 40+ countries.
• Van Vlucht naar Kracht Empowerment trajectory for women with refugee backgrounds, focusing on personal leadership development and launched in 2025 in Amsterdam and Arnhem.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,076 refugees developed talents via study and work in 2025; 4,146 guided in 2024; ~4,000 annually
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• MBO RaadcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2026MBO Raad (the Dutch vocational education council) and UAF jointly developed the action agenda 'Van talent naar toekomst' (From talent to future) to ensure all young refugees can access mbo education. The initiative aims to make vocational education the standard pathway for refugees under 27, rather than alongside mandatory integration courses. The partnership involves a broad coalition of mbo institutions, international transition classes, civil society organizations, policymakers, employers, and refugee youth.
• Scholars at Risk (Netherlands Section)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAF coordinates the Netherlands section of Scholars at Risk, an international network active in 40+ countries with 600+ member institutions. The network supports academics at risk to continue their research careers safely. The steering group includes representatives from The Hague University of Applied Sciences, VU Amsterdam, Leiden University, Utrecht University, and Maastricht University.
• Educational Institutions (Universities and HBO/HBO Schools)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAF collaborates with Dutch universities and higher professional education institutions to admit and support refugee students. Notable partners include Wageningen University & Research, TU Delft, VU Amsterdam, Universiteit Utrecht, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, and Universiteit Maastricht (for medical studies).
• Healthcare Institutions and Medical PracticescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAF partners with hospitals, medical practices, and healthcare networks to provide placement, internship, and mentorship for refugee healthcare professionals. Notable partners include St. Antonius Hospital, Diakonessenhuis Utrecht, UMC Utrecht, and a network of medical mentors and practices.
• Dutch MunicipalitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch municipalities collaborate with UAF on refugee integration through education and work. UAF conducts individual lobbying with municipalities to support long trajectories and language level requirements for refugees.
• Kredietbank (Credit Bank)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUAF refers clients to the Kredietbank for supplementary loans when additional financial support is needed beyond UAF's direct assistance.
• WijMobielminorOthersWijMobiel is referenced as a partner for providing additional support services to refugee clients of UAF, likely related to mobility and transportation needs.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IOM Netherlands: International Organization for Migration's Dutch office supports migration management, including refugee integration. Overlaps with UAF's integration-through-education mission at a broader policy level.
• COA (Centraal Orgaan opvang asielzoekers): Dutch government agency responsible for reception and shelter of asylum seekers. Comparable as the upstream entity that hands off refugees to UAF for education and labor market integration support.
• UNHCR Netherlands: The UN Refugee Agency's Dutch office provides broader refugee protection and resettlement support. Comparable to UAF in mission scope but operates at much larger scale as part of a global intergovernmental organization.

Direct peers

• Scholars at Risk (international network): International network of 600+ institutions in 40+ countries protecting scholars at risk. UAF coordinates the Netherlands section, making SAR a direct peer for the academic refugee support mission.
• Stichting Nieuwkomers & Onderwijs: Dutch foundation supporting newcomer (refugee) students in primary and secondary education. Direct competitor in the refugee education guidance niche, sharing municipal and educational institution partnerships with UAF.
• Stichting Vluchteling (Dutch Refugee Foundation): Dutch foundation providing emergency aid and structural support for refugees globally. Comparable to UAF as a Netherlands-based refugee nonprofit with similar donor base, ANBI status, and advocacy focus.
• VluchtelingenWerk Nederland: The Dutch Council for Refugees is the largest Dutch refugee support NGO, providing legal aid, advocacy, and integration support. It is directly comparable to UAF as a fellow refugee-focused nonprofit operating in the Netherlands with overlapping donor and partner ecosystems.

Regional players

• Refugee Education UK (REUK): UK charity supporting refugee access to higher education. Direct functional comparable to UAF in the UK market, focused on similar education access, mentorship, and credential recognition challenges.
• Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe (Swiss Refugee Council): Swiss national refugee support organization offering similar integration, education guidance, and legal aid services. Comparable as a regional peer in another European country focused on refugee self-sufficiency and labor integration.

Emerging players

• Talent naar de Top: Dutch foundation focused on creating equal opportunities in the labor market for underrepresented groups, including refugees. Comparable as a Dutch nonprofit focused on labor market integration with employer partnership model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/StichtingUAF
• Facebookfacebook.com/UAFnl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uafnl
• Instagraminstagram.com/uafnl

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 Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten UAF