SWOM – the Foundation for Tailored Study and Work – has been collaborating with 2MakeItHappen for over ten years now. During that time, both organizations have grown, the focus has shifted toward larger projects, and European grants have become an increasingly important part of SWOM’s strategy.
“My name is Bart de Bart, founder of SWOM.” “We’ve been around for almost fourteen years now, and I’ve been working with Marion and Leona for nearly eleven years,” he says. “Back then, SWOM was really just a tiny organization, with three people working out of a converted basement in The Hague. “That was pretty much how it all started.”
The first collaboration arose from a shared interest in fundraising.
“I ended up meeting them because I heard they were handling fundraising for the Animal Protection Society. I found that really interesting. So I thought, ‘I have to talk to these ladies.’”
From the initial phase to scaling up
The request for assistance from 2MakeItHappen came at a time when SWOM had already established a solid foundation.
“We had just come out of the period during which we had laid that foundation together with the Start Foundation,” Bart explains. “We wanted additional funding so we could better support the most vulnerable people in our caseload.” At the same time, we were thinking about the question: “What do we need to make this model truly scalable?”
That scaling up remains a key priority. “Right now, the main focus is on securing funding for SWOM’s next phase of development.”
To this end, we are working both internally and externally to further professionalize and expand our operations.
Erasmus+ as part of the strategy
In addition to national expansion, Europe is also becoming increasingly important to SWOM. Erasmus+ plays a clear role in this.
“We’ve started to expand our Erasmus+ network even further, because it offers great opportunities,” says Bart.
In his view, working with Europe requires specific knowledge.
“The key is to ensure you’re properly registered in all of Brussels’ portals and online systems, and that you have all your documents ready internally. Applying for European grants is really a world of its own.”
For SWOM, Europe is interesting not only for funding but also for positioning.
“The projects we undertake in Europe are much more about raising our profile. You show that what we’re doing in The Hague is also happening in Helsinki. It immediately becomes more appealing when it’s taking place in multiple European cities. And that works incredibly well.”
Funds and consortia
“In addition to Erasmus+, 2MakeItHappen also supports SWOM with other major grant applications. That has truly been a process spanning several years, because you first have to build trust before funding organizations are willing to commit to a partnership.”
In addition, there are several European applications pending.
“We are currently working hard to establish a consortium in Amsterdam and The Hague for two European grant applications that must be submitted as early as January. If these are approved, it will mean additional funding for more intensive support for the most vulnerable group in our caseload.”
About SWOM
SWOM positions itself as a social enterprise.
“We focus primarily on young professionals with physical or mental health challenges—what we call ‘special talents’—and help them find jobs with about 80 affiliated employers,” says Bart.
These are intensive programs designed to help people find work. In addition, there is the SWOM Academy:
“It’s actually a development program in which people work on hard skills, soft skills, self-confidence, and subject matter expertise.”
The connection with policymakers is also important.
“In The Hague, we always try to reach out to the right people so that individuals can actually sit down with policymakers. A great deal of support for people with disabilities has been made unnecessarily complicated, and we really want to change that.”
Working together as partners
Our partnership with 2MakeItHappen has become increasingly strategic over the years. “We’ve grown together. When we started, we were both much smaller organizations.”
"That works well," says Bart, "because both organizations operate within the same network."
“We’re always on the lookout for partners with whom we can create something special. Not everyone in this world is focused on collaboration—some people are mainly concerned with themselves. But that’s not how we work.”
According to Bart, 2MakeItHappen doesn't feel like an outside party.
“We hold all kinds of internal meetings about projects and progress. And depending on the topic, someone from 2MakeItHappen always joins us.”
The Reality of Subsidies
SWOM sees firsthand every day that fundraising is becoming increasingly complex.
“The processing times for grant applications—especially when dealing with government agencies—are only getting longer. That’s why you need to strategically diversify your options so you’re never putting all your eggs in one basket.”
According to Bart, 2MakeItHappen plays an important role in this. “You can think of them as a business partner in your fundraising strategy. Exactly what you need depends on the stage your organization is at.”
In conclusion
We’ll wrap up with our usual question: How would Bart describe 2MakeItHappen in three words?
His answer is clear:
“Personal. Supportive of your creative process. And connecting. I think that’s the essence.”
