Viro vzw
Viro vzw is a Flemish non-profit social enterprise operating 13 locations in the Bruges region, providing integrated housing, day support, employment, and guidance services for children, youth, and adults with disabilities or psychosocial vulnerabilities, funded primarily through VAPH contracts, RTH points, and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersSint-michiels, Belgium
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Viro vzw does
Viro vzw is a Flemish non-profit social enterprise (vereniging zonder winstoogmerk) headquartered in Sint-Michiels (Bruges), Belgium, providing an integrated continuum of care and support services for children, youth, and adults with disabilities, support needs, or psychosocial vulnerabilities. Founded with roots traceable to at least 1975 (Viro Ons Tehuis), the organization now operates 13 locations across the Bruges and Oostkamp region, delivering residential care (group homes, studios, family homes), six specialized day support programmes (GOJO, SPERTO, MOLA, AGO, REVO, VIA), mobile guidance, guided work (begeleid werken), and a set of "Smooth" programmes focused on employment, leisure, and VAPH information access. Its product architecture is human-centered and methodological rather than technological: a six-vision-statement framework operationalized through an in-house handelingsplan (individual action plan) and, more recently, a European THIEA training trajectory that combines Konekt's Brake-Out method with Campus Woudhuis's experiential approach, monitored scientifically by Hogeschool Utrecht. Auxiliary services include the Digipunt digital-inclusion helppoint and the Starter zkt. Coach mentorship programme.
Viro's business model is a hybrid of regulated public funding and project/donation-based support. The primary revenue engine is VAPH (Vlaams Agentschap voor Personen met een Handicap) contracts, channeling individual government disability allocations into recognized service delivery; several Smooth programmes additionally draw on RTH (persoonsvolgende financiering) person-centred funding points, with small €15 co-payments for specific trajectories. The organization supplements this with tax-deductible donations (starting €40/year), targeted project subsidies from partners such as the Warmste Week and Koning Boudewijnstichting, and rental/event income (e.g., the €3 neighbourhood walk). Its go-to-market is community-led: clients reach Viro through a Startteam intake, a Loket information desk embedded in BuBaO schools and the Huis van de Bruggeling, mobile teams, and an embedded presence in schools (BuBaO Ter Dreve, BuBaO Het Noordveld via vzw Buiten-Gewoon) and community hubs. Governance is by a four-member directieteam led by algemeen directeur Koen Dalle and a 7-member bestuursorgaan chaired by Marc Simoen, with client participation through the Overkoepelend Collectief Overlegorgaan (OCO). No equity ownership, parent company, or external investment is indicated; the organization is an independent social enterprise.
Viro vzw firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Viro vzw
- Legal name
- Viro vzw
- Website
- https://virovzw.be
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Viro vzw is a Flemish non-profit social enterprise operating 13 locations in the Bruges region, providing integrated housing, day support, employment, and guidance services for children, youth, and adults with disabilities or psychosocial vulnerabilities, funded primarily through VAPH contracts, RTH points, and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Viro vzw is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sint-michiels
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices11 records
Markets served
Viro vzw business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- VAPH-funded care contracts: Viro operates under VAPH (Vlaams Agentschap voor Personen met een Handicap) funding contracts, providing recognized support services for people with disabilities. Services are funded through individual budget allocations managed via the VAPH system.
- RTH (persoonsvolgende financiering) points: Several Smooth programme services (Smooth an 't Sporten, Smooth an 't Woord) operate primarily using RTH (person-centred funding) points. Clients with RTH allocations can use these points to access the services.
- Co-payment for specific programmes: Some programmes charge a small co-payment: Smooth an 't Werk charges €15 for the preparatory trajectory and €15 for work support; Smooth an 't Sporten charges €15 for the full tailored trajectory.
- Donations and charitable gifts: Viro accepts tax-deductible donations (gift form) starting from €40 per year, for which a fiscal attestation is issued. The organization holds official recognition for this purpose. IBAN BE73 7360 4586 1260.
- Project-based subsidies: Specific projects receive targeted funding, e.g., the Starter-mentor programme (Talentmentorship) is supported by the Warmste Week and the Koning Boudewijnstichting.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | Smooth an 't Werk: preparatory trajectory for inclusive holiday jobs |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Smooth an 't Sporten: tailored leisure and hobby matching |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Smooth an 't Woord: VAPH information and advice service |
| Other | Annual | Donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Viro vzw product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Viro vzw is a non-profit social enterprise recognized by VAPH that provides integrated care, support, day activities, guided work, and family-home housing for children, young people, and adults with disabilities or psychosocial needs. Its core offerings span day support (Dagondersteuning), guided/at-work employment support (Begeleid Werken), mobile individualized support (Mobiele Begeleiding), and small-scale residential care in family homes (Gezinshuizen), delivered through specialized working groups and project-based programs.
Product overview
Viro vzw is a social enterprise offering a comprehensive portfolio of support services for people with support needs, disabilities, or psychological vulnerabilities across all life stages. The organization operates a multi-module service structure centered on day support (Dagondersteuning) with six specialized working groups (GOJO, SPERTO, MOLA, AGO, REVO, VIA), complemented by guided work (Begeleid Werken), mobile support (Mobiele Begeleiding), and family homes (Gezinshuizen). Specialized programs include Smooth an 't Werk (vacation jobs), Smooth an 't Sporten (leisure activities), and Smooth an 't Woord (VAPH information), all delivered through a network of locations in Brugge and surrounding areas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dagondersteuning (Day Support) Daytime activity and support program for children, young people and adults with disabilities or psychosocial support needs, organized into specialized working groups (GOJO, SPERTO, MOLA, AGO, REVO, VIA) tailored to different participant profiles.
- Begeleid Werken (Guided Work) Supported employment service that coaches and accompanies individuals with support needs in finding and retaining work, and works with employers to enable inclusive labor-market participation.
- Mobiele Begeleiding (Mobile Support) Individualized, in-home and community-based coaching delivered by mobile support staff, accessed through RTH (Rechtstreeks Toegankelijke Hulp) point allocation, for people who do not require on-site care.
- Gezinshuizen (Family Homes) Small-scale, family-style residential care homes providing 24/7 housing and daily support for individuals who cannot live independently, structured as household-sized settings rather than institutional facilities.
- Smooth programs (Smooth an 't Werk / Smooth an 't Sporten / Smooth an 't Woord) Modular skill-building programs at €15 per participation focused respectively on work-readiness, sports participation, and communication/word skills, supporting smoother inclusion in work, sport, and social contexts.
- Digipunt Digital literacy assistance point that helps clients and their families develop practical digital skills needed for daily life, communication, and accessing online services.
- THIEA Project Project focused on inclusive entrepreneurship, supporting individuals with disabilities in setting up and running small business or self-employment activities.
- Starter zkt. Coach Mentoring/coaching project pairing starters (young people with support needs) with volunteer coaches to help them take steps toward personal goals such as work, study, or independent living.
Quantifiable outcome
- After 6 months of the six-team day support restructuring, coordinators observed clients flourishing with fewer expressions of dislike for activities, better matches between client profiles and support teams, and improved client-to-client care.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Viro vzw
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Viro vzw technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Viro vzw partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Konekt vzwcoreKonekt vzw is a key strategic partner in the European THIEA project, contributing the Brake-Out methodology for youth transitions from school to work. Konekt and Viro collaborate on replicating Brake-Out and Cobegeleider in de Kleuterklas methodologies across partner organizations in Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Hogeschool UtrechtcoreHogeschool Utrecht provides scientific expertise to the THIEA project, monitoring and evaluating the impact of the training trajectory implemented at Viro to scientifically validate the methodology and outcomes.
- Campus Woudhuis (Netherlands)coreCampus Woudhuis is a green work-learning enterprise and living lab in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, providing experiential learning methodologies. Viro staff visited Campus Woudhuis as part of the THIEA project exchange.
- CVO MirasminorCVO Miras is a partner in the THIEA project, collaborating with Viro and other Belgian and Dutch organizations to replicate Konekt methodologies and measure their impact.
- CVO GroeipuntminorCVO Groeipunt participates in the THIEA project alongside Viro, contributing to the cross-border collaboration between Flemish and Dutch educational and care organizations.
- Fiola vzwminorFiola vzw participates in the THIEA project, contributing to the Belgian-Dutch consortium working on inclusive work-learning transitions for youth with special support needs.
- vzw Huizen van Vrede (Brugge)corevzw Huizen van Vrede manages the housing of 4 recognized refugees in the house at Predikherenrei 16, part of the Den Hoye site. This partnership integrates refugee housing with Viro's broader inclusive community vision.
- EASPD (European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities)coreViro became an official member of EASPD in May 2024 after a probationary year. EASPD, headquartered in Brussels since 2005, advocates for people with disabilities across Europe, keeps members informed of policy developments, and stimulates sector innovation. Viro's directors see EASPD membership as key for knowledge sharing, learning from congresses and workshops, and forming international partnerships.
- OCMW BruggeminorOCMW Brugge provides content support for Viro's Digipunt (digital inclusion) service at De Pastorie. Digihelpers Kris and Ruben were supported by OCMW in setting up the service, which is part of Brugge's network of 30 digipunten.
- Hogeschool VivesminorHogeschool Vives led a two-year project resulting in the 'Spel voor Iedereen' (Games for Everyone) database. Viro participated in the steering group, contributing expertise on inclusive gaming for people with support needs. The database provides guidance on choosing, preparing, and playing board games in inclusive ways.
- Xplo vzwcoreXplo vzw is a key partner in the Gezinshuizen (Family Homes) initiative for West Flanders. Viro and Xplo collaborate to open family homes for children who cannot grow up in their own family environment.
- CKG Sint-ClaracoreCKG Sint-Clara is a partner in the West Flanders Family Homes network alongside Viro, contributing to the development of professional family-based care options.
- vzw Binnenstadcorevzw Binnenstad partners with Viro in the West Flanders Family Homes consortium, working to expand family-based care options for children with complex support needs.
- Kantel vzwcoreKantel vzw collaborates with Viro in the West Flanders Family Homes initiative, contributing to the development of family-based care for children with support needs.
- Pleegzorg West-VlaanderencorePleegzorg West-Vlaanderen is a partner in the Family Homes initiative, bringing foster care expertise to complement the professional family home model being developed by Viro and partners.
- vzw Buiten-Gewooncorevzw Buiten-Gewoon connects BuBaO schools Ter Dreve and Het Noordveld with BuSO Ravelijn, and is closely linked to Scholengroep Sint-Lodewijk. This makes the collaboration network an ideal environment for piloting inclusive education initiatives that Viro actively supports.
- Scholengroep Sint-LodewijkcoreScholengroep Sint-Lodewijk is the school network with which vzw Buiten-Gewoon is affiliated, and which Viro collaborates with on inclusive education advocacy and pilot projects (proeftuinen).
- Mintus (Brugge)minorMintus collaborated with Viro to present their joint cooperation during the open day at Sint-Pietersmolenwijk.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Viro vzw competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- De Lovie vzw: De Lovie is a West Flemish non-profit supporting children, youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities through residential, day, and ambulatory services. Its combination of educational, residential, and day care services closely mirrors Viro's integrated offering.
- Pleegzorg Vlaanderen: Pleegzorg Vlaanderen is the Flemish foster care organization partnering with Viro on family-based care. While focused on foster care rather than residential, its target population and non-residential care model partially overlap with Viro's mobile and family support services.
- Xplo vzw: Xplo vzw is a West Flemish partner of Viro in the Gezinshuizen (Family Homes) initiative. It develops professional family-based care for children who cannot grow up at home, directly overlapping with Viro's Gezinshuizen offering.
- MPI Oosterlo: MPI Oosterlo is a Flemish medical-pedagogical institute providing residential and day support for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its VAPH-funded model and target population are closely comparable to Viro's core services.
- vzw Emmaüs Belgium: Emmaüs Belgium is a non-profit social organization with regional affiliates offering housing, day activities, and community integration for vulnerable groups. Its mission and community-embedded model are comparable to Viro's inclusive community approach.
- Dominiek Savio vzw: Dominiek Savio is a large Flemish non-profit providing support, housing, and day activities for children, youth, and adults with disabilities in West Flanders. Its scale, VAPH recognition, and residential/day-support portfolio directly parallel Viro's model.
- Mintus (Brugge): Mintus is a Brugge-based social care organization jointly collaborating with Viro on community initiatives (Sint-Pietersmolenwijk). It offers comparable disability and welfare support services in the same geographic market, making it a direct regional peer.
- vzw Buiten-Gewoon: vzw Buiten-Gewoon connects BuBaO schools Ter Dreve and Het Noordveld with BuSO Ravelijn and is Viro's close partner in inclusive special education. Its focus on special education and disability support in the Bruges region makes it a directly comparable peer.
Broad incumbents
- Intego vzw: Intego is a large Flemish healthcare group providing mental health, disability, and elderly care services. It is a broader incumbent in the same overall care space but operates across many segments rather than focusing on Viro's specific disability niche.
Regional players
- vzw Kiem: vzw Kiem is a Flemish non-profit offering housing, day support, and family-based care for people with disabilities. While operating in a different sub-region, its service mix (especially family homes) overlaps with Viro's Gezinshuizen model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Viro vzw social profiles
Digital presenceViro vzw compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Viro vzw financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Viro vzw leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Viro vzw funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Viro vzw M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Viro vzw
What does Viro vzw do?
Viro vzw is a non-profit social enterprise recognized by VAPH that provides integrated care, support, day activities, guided work, and family-home housing for children, young people, and adults with disabilities or psychosocial needs. Its core offerings span day support (Dagondersteuning), guided/at-work employment support (Begeleid Werken), mobile individualized support (Mobiele Begeleiding), and small-scale residential care in family homes (Gezinshuizen), delivered through specialized working groups and project-based programs.
Is Viro vzw a public or private company?
Viro vzw is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Viro vzw founded?
Viro vzw was founded in 1975.
Where is Viro vzw based?
Viro vzw is headquartered in Sint-michiels, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Viro vzw make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. VAPH-funded care contracts are the primary driver. The others are RTH (persoonsvolgende financiering) points, co-payment for specific programmes, donations and charitable gifts and project-based subsidies.
Who are Viro vzw's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are De Lovie vzw, Pleegzorg Vlaanderen, Xplo vzw, MPI Oosterlo, vzw Emmaüs Belgium, Dominiek Savio vzw, Mintus (Brugge) and vzw Buiten-Gewoon. Intego vzw is listed as a broad incumbent. vzw Kiem is listed as a regional player.
Does Viro vzw have an API?
No public API is recorded for Viro vzw.