What Ferm Werk does

Ferm Werk is a Gemeentelijke Regeling (municipal joint arrangement) that administers Dutch social welfare benefits and provides labor reintegration services for residents of four municipalities in the Midden-Holland/Midden-Utrecht region: Woerden, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Montfoort, and Oudewater. It was established as a cooperative public entity (KVK number 30275487) to deliver welfare administration under the Participatiewet and related statutes, distributing benefits including bijstandsuitkering, IOAW, IOAZ, Bbz, studietoeslag, individuelle inkomenstoeslag, bijzondere bijstand, and a collective health insurance scheme through VGZ and Zorg en Zekerheid. Beyond income support, Ferm Werk operates an integrated reintegration program comprising walk-in Werkcafé events, a Test & Training department, the Horecaleerlijn hospitality training pathway, language meetings for newcomers (inburgering), and job coaching through employer networks including the WerkgeversServicepunt Midden-Holland.

The organization's service delivery combines a digital self-service portal (Mijn Ferm Werk) authenticated via the national DigiD system with in-person consular support at its Woerden headquarters (Carrosserieweg 1) and accessible features including Google Translate website integration and ReadSpeaker text-to-speech, certified to WCAG 2.2 AA. Distribution extends through Werkcafé events in Woerden, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, and Montfoort, the Leer- en Ontwikkelcentrum for in-person digital assistance, and partnerships with the Uw Stad Werkt employer vacancy platform, the Werkcentrum Midden-Utrecht, and a cooperative of 17 work development companies (Werkontwikkelbedrijven) in southwest Netherlands. Employer services include candidate matching, function creation, and support with inclusive-hiring incentive schemes.

The business model is non-commercial public sector: Ferm Werk receives funding from its four member municipalities to administer social welfare and labor reintegration programs. No fees are charged to resident clients for core benefit or reintegration services; clients instead pay only for ancillary arrangements such as the EUR 15/month municipal contribution toward collective health insurance premiums. Employer engagement and some production activities (such as packaging contracts with Walleaf and Groenendijk Bedrijfskleding) generate modest fee-for-service revenue, but the dominant financial model is municipal appropriation with no equity investors, venture funding, or external ownership.

Name

Ferm Werk

Legal name

Gemeentelijke Regeling Ferm Werk

Website

https://fermwerk.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Ferm Werk is a Dutch municipal joint arrangement administering social welfare benefits (bijstand, IOAW, IOAZ, Bbz, studietoeslag) and labor reintegration services for residents of Woerden, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Montfoort, and Oudewater, funded by member municipalities and delivered via a digital portal, Werkcafé walk-in events, and employer-matching programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Welfare and Public Employment Services

NAICS

Employment Services (5613), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Temporary Help Services (561320)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Unemployment Insurance & Employment Support Benefits (BPAIAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Temp-to-Hire Staffing (BPACACAG), Labor Relations & Employment Practice Advisory (BPAHAGAK), Resettlement, Relocation & Repatriation Support (BPADAHAD)

Keywords

• Social welfare services
• Employment reintegration
• Income support programs
• Municipal benefits administration
• Participatiewet services

Headquarters

HQ city

Woerdense Verlaat

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Municipal government funding: Ferm Werk is a municipal joint arrangement (Gemeentelijke Regeling) funded by contributions from the municipalities of Woerden, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Montfoort, and Oudewater. It distributes government benefits (bijstandsuitkering, IOAW, IOAZ, Bbz, studietoeslag, individuelle inkomenstoeslag) and provides reintegration services funded by municipal budgets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ferm Werk is a municipal joint arrangement (Gemeentelijke Regeling) that administers Dutch social welfare benefits—including bijstandsuitkering (Participation Act), bijzondere bijstand, individuele inkomenstoeslag, studietoeslag, IOAW, IOAZ, and Bbz—and delivers labor market reintegration services such as job coaching, work assessment (Test & Training), language training, employer matching, and Werkcafé walk-in employment assistance for residents of Woerden, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Montfoort, and Oudewater.

Product overview

Ferm Werk is a municipal service organization (Gemeentelijke Regeling) serving residents of Woerden, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Montfoort, and Oudewater. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of income support services including Bijstandsuitkering (welfare benefits under the Participation Act), Bijzondere bijstand (special assistance for extraordinary expenses), Individuele inkomenstoeslag (long-term income supplements), and Studietoeslag (student allowances for those with disabilities). Additional offerings include IOAW/IOAZ benefits for older unemployed or self-employed individuals, Bbz support for entrepreneurs, and a Collectieve zorgverzekering (collective health insurance) through VGZ or Zorg en Zekerheid. The digital service portfolio includes Mijn Ferm Werk (client portal) and Digitaal aanvragen (online application system). Employment support is provided through Werkcafé (walk-in employment assistance), Test & Training (work assessment programs), and the Horecaleerlijn (hospitality training program). All services are accessible via the organization's website with support for Google Translate and ReadSpeaker text-to-speech accessibility features.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bijstandsuitkering (Participatiewet) Welfare benefit (bijstandsuitkering) under the Dutch Participation Act for residents aged 18 or older with insufficient income and assets to meet basic living costs, administered by Ferm Werk on behalf of the four member municipalities.
• Bijzondere bijstand Special financial assistance for residents with low income to cover extraordinary expenses arising from specific circumstances, including legal costs, guardian fees, childcare for social or medical reasons, and relocation costs.
• Individuele inkomenstoeslag Income supplement for long-term low-income residents aged 21 to pension age intended to replace essential items such as washing machines or refrigerators, with 2026 amounts ranging from €506/month (single) to €845/month (married with children 12+) subject to 110% of bijstandsnorm income limit.
• Studietoeslag Monthly allowance for students aged 15 and older with medical limitations who cannot work alongside their studies, with 2026 amounts ranging from €115.55/month (age 15) to €385.14/month (age 21+) based on age bands.
• Collectieve zorgverzekering Collective health insurance offered through VGZ or Zorg en Zekerheid for low-income residents of the four municipalities, with Ferm Werk contributing €15/month per participant and guaranteed acceptance for all applicants including those with poor health; income threshold 120% of bijstandsnorm.
• Extra tegemoetkoming chronisch zieken en gehandicapten Additional compensation of €260 per year in 2026 for residents with chronic illness or disability who face extra costs, available as Tegemoetkoming Meerkosten Zorg (Woerden/Montfoort/Oudewater) or Extra premiebijdrage (Bodegraven-Reeuwijk), subject to income and insurance conditions.
• IOAW-uitkering Income provision for older partially disabled workers born before January 1, 1965, who became unemployed after age 50, with net monthly amounts of €1,419.46 (single) to €2,027.80 (married/cohabiting) as of July 2026.
• IOAZ-uitkering Income provision for self-employed persons aged 55 and older who must close their business, subject to income and asset conditions, with net monthly amounts of €1,419.46 to €2,027.80 as of July 2026.
• Bbz (Besluit bijstandverlening zelfstandigen) Support for entrepreneurs facing financial difficulties or starting businesses, including viability assessment guidance and potential benefit eligibility for both new and existing self-employed individuals.
• Werkcafé Free walk-in employment assistance service for job seekers, starters, entrepreneurs, and employers, held monthly in multiple locations across the four municipalities, providing career guidance, job matching, and access to network professionals.
• Horecaleerlijn Hospitality sector training program offering SVH diplomas for kitchen assistants, with pathways to employment at network partners including Kas Woerden, Meneer Krokant, Van Rossum, Best Western Woerden, and Milandhof Zegveld.
• Aan de slag met taal Language meetings for non-native Dutch speakers, particularly Z-route newcomers requiring civic integration, covering practical themes such as shopping, telling time, and cycling with practical conversation practice.
• Test & Training Department providing work assessment and training programs for people who find it difficult to find or maintain employment, including work experience in production halls (e.g., Muurbloempjes folding boxes for Walleaf, safety shoe packaging for Groenendijk Bedrijfskleding) and job coaching.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 residents helped into paid work or development trajectories within months of Werkcafé Woerden pilot launch
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Uw Stad WerktcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2024Ferm Werk partners with the Uw Stad Werkt platform to match local employers with job seekers from its client base. When employers in Woerden, Montfoort, or Oudewater post vacancies on the platform, Ferm Werk automatically receives notifications and proposes matching candidates from its clients.
• WerkgeversServicepunt Midden-HollandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint service point for employer engagement across the Midden-Holland labor market region. Collaborates with Ferm Werk on vacancy matching, employer events, and inclusive hiring programs. Worked together on function creation projects such as at CAG Groep.
• Werkcentrum Midden-UtrechtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerm Werk and Werkcentrum Midden-Utrecht jointly operate Werkcafé Woerden and Werkcafé Montfoort, providing free walk-in employment support for residents, employers, and job seekers across the region.
• Ondernemerskring Woerden (OKW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the P3 (Pilot Participatie Palet) initiative, where OKW and Ferm Werk co-develop ready-made solutions for socially conscious entrepreneurs to employ people with a distance to the labor market. Also collaborated on logistics tour events.
• PAIR B.V.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLanguage training provider executing the inburgering (integration) language program for Ferm Werk clients, celebrated jointly for milestone achievements in language and talent development.
• CAG GroepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater and environmental consulting company in Reeuwijk that worked with Ferm Werk and the WerkgeversServicepunt to create a custom function for Alifa, a Syrian refugee, now employed as a hostess/receptionist.
• Punt B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen contracting company that rents a fixed team from Ferm Werk for grounds maintenance in Woerden. Partnership made more sustainable through use of HVO 100 biofuel supplied with BP Divers.
• BP DiversminorOthersSupplier of HVO 100 (hydrotreated vegetable oil) biofuel used in vehicles of the Punt B.V. and Ferm Werk partnership, reducing CO2 emissions in their joint green maintenance operations.
• VGZcoreOthersHealth insurer offering collective health insurance packages for low-income residents of Woerden, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Montfoort, and Oudewater through Ferm Werk's collective scheme. Ferm Werk contributes €15/month per participant. VGZ accepts all applicants including those with poor health.
• Zorg en ZekerheidcoreOthersHealth insurer offering collective health insurance packages for low-income residents through Ferm Werk's collective scheme, with the same €15/month municipal contribution and guaranteed acceptance for all applicants.
• Werkontwikkelbedrijven (16 collaborative organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerm Werk is part of a cooperative of 17 work development companies in southwest Netherlands, pooling expertise, labor capacity, and employer relationships under www.werkontwikkelbedrijven.nl to offer employers a comprehensive range of services.
• KlimaatrouteminorOthersPartner organization that helps residents of Bodegraven-Reeuwijk access government energy subsidies for home insulation, supporting low-income households with energy cost reduction.
• ArmoedefondsminorOthersNational Dutch poverty relief foundation that partners with Ferm Werk to operate a Menstruation Product Distribution Point (MUP), providing free menstrual products to people in need since 2023.
• Walleaf (Muurbloempjes)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational product company behind the Muurbloempjes brand that contracted Ferm Werk for production in Hall 1B — folding boxes, gluing magnets on glass vases, and packaging — providing steady work for Ferm Werk employees.
• Heating Service Installatietechniek B.V.minorOthersInstallation company in Nieuwerbrug that hired Ata (Iranian refugee) through Ferm Werk's reintegration program, providing an apprenticeship in installation technology.
• Praxis WoerdenminorOthersHardware retailer that hired Lior (person with autism) as a woodworker — his first paid job — starting with a work experience placement and progressing to a formal employment contract.
• GoudGedaanminorOthersJewelry business in Reeuwijk that hired Wael (Syrian refugee) as a goldsmith after a work experience placement arranged through SAM Welzijn and Ferm Werk. Wael achieved full financial independence.
• Groenendijk BedrijfskledingminorOthersWorkwear company that outsourced an order of 8,000 pairs of safety shoes for Defense to Ferm Werk — box folding, packaging, stickering, sealing, and pallet storage — as part of the renewed P3 partnership.
• SAM WelzijnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelfare organization that collaborated with Ferm Werk to arrange a work experience placement at GoudGedaan for Wael (Syrian refugee), which led to a permanent job.
• G. SnelminorOthersTransport company in Woerden that hired Justin (driver sensitive to overstimulation) with a flexible start of 3 days/week at 8 hours, gradually building up to 32 hours/week and a permanent contract.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pantar Amsterdam: Amsterdam-based work development company (werkontwikkelbedrijf) providing sheltered employment, training, and reintegration for people with a distance to the labor market. One of the 17 SWO partners in the same network as Ferm Werk, with identical mandate and service model.
• Baanbrekers: Dutch social employment organization in the Waardenland region performing welfare-to-work reintegration under the Participatiewet. Comparable mandate, services, and client segments to Ferm Werk.
• Diamant-groep: Dutch municipal work development company active in multiple regions, providing reintegration, training, and sheltered employment under the Participatiewet. Closely comparable to Ferm Werk in mandate, services, and target population.
• Sociale Werkplaats RSDB: Dutch sheltered workshop and reintegration provider operating in the Drechtsteden region. Comparable to Ferm Werk's Test & Training and sheltered employment functions for people with severe distance to the labor market.
• Reestmond Werkbedrijf: Municipal work development company serving the Hoogeveen/Midden-Drenthe region. Provides welfare, reintegration, and sheltered employment — the same integrated model operated by Ferm Werk.

Broad incumbents

• UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen): National Dutch agency administering employee insurance, unemployment benefits (WW), and reintegration services. Direct functional overlap with Ferm Werk's welfare administration and employment support mandate, but operates at national scope rather than municipal.
• Gemeente Amsterdam (WPI): Municipal work and income department of Amsterdam. Performs the same welfare administration and reintegration functions as Ferm Werk but at municipal scale, serving a much larger population.
• UWV WERKbedrijf: National employment service arm of UWV providing job matching, reintegration, and employer services. Overlaps with Ferm Werk's Werkcafé and employer matching functions at national scope.

Regional players

• WerkgeversServicepunt Midden-Holland: Joint regional employer service point covering part of the same geography as Ferm Werk. Performs matching, employer engagement, and inclusive hiring support — overlapping with Ferm Werk's WerkgeversServicepunt work but as a regional rather than municipal entity.
• Werkcentrum Midden-Utrecht: Regional work center partnering with Ferm Werk to operate Werkcafé Montfoort and Woerden. Provides broader workforce development services across the Midden-Utrecht region, with overlapping target population and service portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fermwerk
• Facebookfacebook.nl/fermwerk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ferm-werk
• Instagraminstagram.com/fermwerkwoerden

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Ferm Werk