In The Hague-Southwest, a neighborhood where resilience and poverty often go hand in hand, something special is taking root: Gewoon Sociaal. Every day, local residents who have been out of work for a long time—people struggling with debt, mental health issues, or a significant gap in their work history—come together there. At this community-based business, they rediscover a sense of rhythm, structure, and purpose.
“For us, it’s all about participating to the best of one’s ability,” says Ruben Blanke, treasurer of Gewoon Sociaal. “Many participants have lost faith in institutions or in themselves. Here, they can once again do something that matters—right in their own neighborhood.”
Gewoon Sociaal is a community-based organization that works for the neighborhood, by the neighborhood. Participants cook for neighbors, maintain courtyards, do small odd jobs in the homes of older residents, and build furniture in the woodshop. For their efforts, they receive a volunteer stipend of up to 45 euros per week. “For most people, that doubles their disposable income,” says Ruben. Another important point: “By helping other neighbors, you’re helping yourself.”
Strong together in a complex field
Social entrepreneurship in the neighborhood is wonderful, but it requires a solid financial foundation. Only 30 percent of its revenue comes from its own activities—the rest depends on public funding. And that’s exactly where 2MakeItHappen came into the picture.
“Applying for a grant is actually the easiest part,” says Ruben. “Justifying it, carrying it out, and making sure it stays aligned with your mission—that’s the challenge.”
That’s why Gewoon Sociaal works closely with 2MakeItHappen on drafting applications and accountability reports. “All we need is a few sentences in an email, and they take it from there. That gives us peace of mind and comfort.”
Thanks to this collaboration, Gewoon Sociaal was able to ensure the continuity of its ongoing projects and capitalize on new opportunities. For example, they recently received a multi-year grant from the Oranje Fonds.
More than just advice
What Ruben appreciates most is the way 2MakeItHappen collaborates and connects people. “They really try to link organizations together so they can submit joint proposals. They’ll just call and say, ‘Hey, that company is working on this—is that something you’d be interested in?’ And that’s how new partnerships are formed.”
The approach also fits well with the reality of a neighborhood organization. “We operate on a monthly hour-based agreement. That provides flexibility. Some months are busier, so you use more hours. Other months, you save up some. “That way, you know exactly where you stand.”
Committed and personal
For Ruben, working with 2MakeItHappen has become second nature. “They understand how grants work, which makes our applications stronger.”
The question of how to describe 2MakeItHappen in three words was easy:
