What COC Amsterdam does

COC Amsterdam en omstreken, founded in 1946, is the longest-running LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization in the Netherlands. Operating as a registered Dutch association (vereniging) with ANBI public benefit status, the organization delivers advocacy, education, community programs, and safety initiatives for LGBTQIA+ people in Amsterdam and surrounding areas. Its portfolio spans ten-plus sub-brands targeting distinct sub-segments: Jong & Out (youth up to 18), AutiRoze (autistic LGBTQIA+), Senioren café (50+), Café oké, Cocktail and Wereldcafé (general community gathering), Respect2Love (LGBTQIA+ persons of color / religious and cultural minorities), Roze Gebaar (deaf and hard of hearing), Zonder Stempel (intellectual disabilities), and district coordinators under COC Stadsdelen. Flagship cultural programs are the Shakespeare Club (revived 2016 in collaboration with H'ART Museum during Pride Amsterdam) and the Roze Filmdagen (Pink Film Days), the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the Netherlands featuring 140+ films from 40+ countries annually.

The organization outsources membership administration to COC Netherlands, has no paid employees since September 1, 2013, and relies entirely on unpaid volunteers, including board members. There is no proprietary software product; the only technology surface is the recently relaunched cocamsterdam.nl website (November 3, 2025), which functions as an information, agenda, and signup portal. Research is conducted in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam via the AmsterdamPinkPanel. Advocacy reach extends to municipal and stakeholder consultations on cultural, religious, safety, healthcare, and family-form policy domains, including co-sponsorship of the Regenboog Stembusakkoord (Rainbow Ballot Agreement).

Funding is generated entirely through membership fees (administered via COC Netherlands), donations, and sponsorship; no municipal subsidy is received. Services are delivered free of charge to community members across three physical locations — Hotel Mercier (administrative), RITA Community Centre, and Doven Ontmoetings Centrum — augmented by school-based educational outreach through the GSA Network.

Name

COC Amsterdam

Legal name

COC Amsterdam en omstreken

Website

https://cocamsterdam.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Short description

COC Amsterdam en omstreken is a 1946-founded Dutch volunteer-run non-profit association (ANBI status) that delivers LGBTQIA+ advocacy, education, community programs, and safety initiatives across Amsterdam and surrounding areas through sub-brands such as Jong & Out, AutiRoze, Senioren café, and the Roze Filmdagen film festival.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQIA+ Advocacy and Community Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB), Disability Rights & Accessibility Advocacy (BPAGAFAF)

Keywords

• LGBTQIA+ advocacy services
• Community support programs
• Emancipation and equal rights
• Educational outreach
• Cultural heritage events

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Revenue is generated through paying members who join via COC Netherlands' membership system. Membership fees support the association's operations and activities.
2. Donations and sponsorship: The association relies on donations and sponsorship money in addition to membership fees. Community members and allies can make financial contributions to support initiatives.
3. Donations: The association actively solicits donations from the public to support its work for LGBTQIA+ emancipation and advocacy in the Amsterdam region.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

COC Amsterdam en omstreken is a volunteer-driven non-profit association that provides LGBTQIA+ advocacy, emancipation, acceptance, education, and community support services in Amsterdam and surrounding areas. Its offerings include community groups for marginalized subgroups, school-based educational outreach, municipal advocacy, cultural events such as the Shakespeare Club and Roze Filmdagen film festival, and research collaboration with the University of Amsterdam.

Product overview

COC Amsterdam e.o. is a community advocacy organization (not a technology company) offering a portfolio of social programs and initiatives for the LGBTQIA+ community in Amsterdam. The core offerings include: community groups (AutiRoze, Jong & Out, Cocktail, Senioren café, Café oké, Wereldcafé); advocacy and research programs (AmsterdamPinkPanel, COC Stadsdelen, Educational Outreach); cultural events (Shakespeare Club, Roze Filmdagen); support services (Switchboard information line, Respect2Love community, Roze Loper certification for institutions); and support for school GSAs. The organization operates primarily as a membership-based association with volunteer coordinators, without a unified software platform or digital product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AutiRoze: Initiative for LGBTQ+ individuals with autism to find their place in the rainbow community, the autism community, and society as a whole.
• Jong & Out
• Cocktail
• COC Stadsdelen
• AmsterdamPinkPanel
• Senioren café
• Café oké
• Wereldcafé
• Shakespeare Club
• Roze Filmdagen

Products and services

• Shakespeare Club Annual cultural heritage festival organized during Pride Amsterdam featuring events, exhibitions, performances, and discussions focused on LGBTQIA+ community visibility and empowerment, with focus on marginalized groups.
• Roze Filmdagen (Pink Film Days) The largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival in the Netherlands, featuring arthouse films, documentaries, and short films from more than 40 countries aimed at diverse audiences. Held annually in March.
• AmsterdamPinkPanel Research collaboration with the University of Amsterdam that conducts surveys and provides insights on LGBTQIA+ issues in the Amsterdam region.
• AutiRoze Support group for LGBTQIA+ individuals with autism to find their place in the rainbow community, the autism community, and society as a whole, organizing regular social gatherings.
• Jong & Out Community for LGBTQIA+ youth up to 18 years old to safely meet other young people online and offline as part of a national network.
• Cocktail Monthly activity group organized by COC Amsterdam coordinators, providing safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ community members to gather and connect.
• COC Stadsdelen District coordinators working in Amsterdam neighborhoods to address safety and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community at the local level.
• Senioren café Monthly gathering for senior LGBTQIA+ community members providing social connection and support.
• Café oké Monthly activity group offering a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals to meet and connect.
• Wereldcafé Monthly activity group fostering intercultural connections and community building among LGBTQIA+ individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Educational Outreach LGBTQIA+ education services provided at secondary schools in the Amsterdam region, delivered by trained educators, including support for Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) student groups.
• Respect2Love Community for LGBTQIA+ people with different cultural or religious backgrounds, sharing information and organizing meetings, including an Empowerment program that develops community leaders from diverse backgrounds.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seven out of ten LGBTQIA+ people experience physical or verbal violence in their lives because of who they are
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• Bar BukaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 March 2026COC Amsterdam partnered with Bar Buka to organize Singles Night, aiming to create more awareness for the queer community. The event took place at Bar Buka Amsterdam on March 26.
• H'ART MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOC Amsterdam collaborates annually with the H'ART Museum to organize the Shakespeare Club during Pride Amsterdam. The museum provides the venue for the week-long cultural festival. The partnership is central to COC Amsterdam's cultural heritage and visibility initiatives.
• University of Amsterdam (UvA) / AmsterdamPinkPanelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOC Amsterdam collaborates with the University of Amsterdam through the AmsterdamPinkPanel research initiative, contributing to LGBTQIA+ research and using academic findings to strengthen advocacy efforts.
• COC NetherlandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOC Netherlands is the national umbrella organization. COC Amsterdam outsources its membership administration to COC Netherlands, which has further outsourced to a membership administration office. They also collaborate on national advocacy campaigns such as the Rainbow Ballot Agreement.
• RITA Community CentrecoreOthersRITA Community Centre (RCC) serves as the primary venue for COC Amsterdam's group activities at Reguliersdwarsstraat 54, 1017 BM Amsterdam.
• Doven Ontmoetings Centrum Amsterdam (DOC)coreOthersThe DOC serves as the venue for most group activities and is the location for the Amsterdam Deaf community center where COC Amsterdam holds community events.
• Pink Film DaysflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOC Amsterdam organizes the Roze Filmdagen (Pink Film Days), the largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival in the Netherlands, featuring over 140 films from more than 40 countries annually in March.
• Mil Colores FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMil Colores is a foundation for women by women founded in 2000, organizing musical/social events and workshops for women of diverse backgrounds. They partner with COC Amsterdam's Shakespeare Club and represent intersectional LGBTQIA+ community presence.
• Respect2Love CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRespect2Love is a community for LGBTQIA+ persons with different cultural or religious backgrounds. The Respect2Love Empowerment program develops LGBTQIA+ persons with diverse backgrounds into pioneers in their own community and society. COC Amsterdam supports and refers to this community.
• AutiRozecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutiRoze helps LGBTQIA+ people with autism find their place in the rainbow community, the autism community, and society as a whole. They organize regular social gatherings and are supported through COC Amsterdam's network.
• Roze GebaarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoze Gebaar is the online community for deaf and hard of hearing LGBTQIA+ persons throughout the Netherlands, operating under the COC Netherlands umbrella. COC Amsterdam connects deaf community members to this resource.
• Switchboard (COC Netherlands)coreOthersSwitchboard is COC Netherlands' information and support service for all LGBTQIA+ persons and anyone needing information, advice, support, or a listening ear. COC Amsterdam refers community members to this service for individual support.
• Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSAs are student groups supported by COC Netherlands to create safe environments at schools for everyone. COC Amsterdam supports GSA formation and school-based LGBTQIA+ education in the Amsterdam region.
• ExpreszominorOthersExpreszo is an online magazine for and by queer young people providing LGBTQI+ youth with articles, tips, and information. COC Amsterdam cross-promotes this resource to young community members.
• Roze 50+ CommunityminorOthersRoze 50+ is a community for queer seniors providing information, activities, and opportunities to meet. COC Amsterdam directs seniors to this network and collaborates on programming.
• RozeZorgminorOthersRozeZorg administers the Roze Loper (Pink Carpet) quality mark for healthcare and welfare institutions working on social acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons. COC Amsterdam refers organizations seeking the Roze Loper certification to this partner.
• RITAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Faith & Philosophy working group of COC Amsterdam collaborated with RITA and Discriminatie.nl on the 'soft launch' of a reporting center for discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people in religious and philosophical communities (announced July 2026).
• Other Regional COC OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCOC Amsterdam is part of a national network of regional COC organizations across the Netherlands (including COC Rotterdam, COC Deventer, COC Eindhoven, COC Friesland, COC Groningen & Drenthe, COC Haaglanden, COC Kennemerland, COC Leiden, COC Limburg, COC Midden-Gelderland, COC Midden-Nederland, COC regio Nijmegen, COC Noord-Holland Noord, COC Noordoost Brabant, COC Tilburg Breda en Omstreken, COC Twente-Achterhoek, COC West-Brabant, COC Zeeland, COC Zwolle).

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• RozeZorg (Roze Loper): Administers the Roze Loper quality mark for healthcare and welfare institutions on LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Referenced as a partner by COC Amsterdam; comparable as a specialized Dutch nonprofit advancing LGBTQIA+ welfare within institutional settings.
• Pride Amsterdam: Organizer of Amsterdam Pride, including the Canal Parade. COC Amsterdam's Shakespeare Club is a Pride program; comparable as a Netherlands-based LGBTQIA+ organization with overlapping community, cultural, and visibility missions but a more event-focused operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Hivos: Dutch-headquartered international development organization funding LGBTQIA+ rights and civic inclusion in restrictive contexts. Comparable as a larger Netherlands-rooted nonprofit working on LGBTQIA+ advocacy and human rights, but operating internationally rather than locally.
• ILGA World: International lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex association federating national and regional LGBTQIA+ organizations. Comparable as a larger umbrella operating in the same advocacy category as COC Amsterdam but at global scale and without local service delivery.

Direct peers

• Switchboard: Information and support service for all LGBTQIA+ persons operated under COC Netherlands. Comparable as a Dutch LGBTQIA+ support organization that COC Amsterdam directly refers community members to; same mission area with an information-and-listening specialization.
• Transgender Netwerk Nederland (TNN): Dutch advocacy and support organization specifically focused on transgender rights and welfare. Comparable as a Netherlands-based LGBTQIA+ advocacy nonprofit offering community support, advocacy, and information services to a specific LGBTQIA+ sub-population.
• IHLIA (formerly IHLG): Heritage organization preserving LGBTQIA+ history in the Netherlands. Comparable to COC Amsterdam's cultural heritage and archive functions (e.g., 80-year history programming) and serves overlapping Dutch LGBTQIA+ communities with cultural and educational programming.
• COC Rotterdam: Sister regional COC organization serving the Rotterdam region. Part of the same national COC network; directly comparable mission, governance structure, and program portfolio to COC Amsterdam at a regional level.
• COC Netherlands: National umbrella organization for LGBTQIA+ rights in the Netherlands. Operates membership administration, Switchboard support line, GSA network, and Roze Gebaar; collaborates with COC Amsterdam on the Rainbow Ballot Agreement. Directly comparable mission and operating model at national scale.
• PFLAG Nederland: Family-ally advocacy organization for LGBTQIA+ people, part of the international PFLAG network. Comparable as a Netherlands-based LGBTQIA+ advocacy nonprofit providing community support, education, and advocacy with a volunteer-led operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cocamsterdam
• Instagraminstagram.com/cocamsterdam
• TikToktiktok.com/@cocamsterdam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cocamsterdam

Compliance1 record

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 COC Amsterdam