Vebego Foundation: four countries, one mission
Vebego Foundation is active in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. Each country has its own story, its own partners and its own way of working. But the heart of what we do is the same everywhere: people stepping up for each other. We spoke with our board members, who all give their time and energy to the foundation on a voluntary basis alongside their regular jobs, and asked them what the foundation has already meant in their country. These are their stories.
The Netherlands: where solidarity is everyday practice
The Netherlands is where Vebego began, which also makes it the country where the foundation has been active the longest and where we have been able to build the most impact. That is something to be proud of, and we are.
What has grown over the past few years goes beyond projects or partnerships. A culture has taken shape in which asking for help, and offering it, feels normal. Colleagues do not look the other way. They notice the signals and start the conversation. That sounds simple, but it is something you have to build and we have managed to do exactly that.
One of the finest milestones: the foundation now has its own network coordinators in the Netherlands. People who understand the difference between handing someone a leaflet and having a real conversation, and who make sure help actually reaches the people who need it. Through partnerships with organisations such as Sam& voor alle Kinderen and Humanitas, the foundation structurally contributes to participation in society. For children, but also for colleagues with questions about parenting, money or life in general. Colleagues are not only supported, they are also invited to start something themselves. Through My Effort, My Project, people launch local initiatives where the impact is immediately visible. That is what makes the foundation not an organisation handing out help from above, but a network of people looking after one another.
Belgium: small things, big meaning
In Belgium, many colleagues first got to know the foundation through the building trips. For many of the participants those trips were an emotional experience, something you do not easily forget. They strengthened the connection with the foundation in a way no campaign or communications plan ever could.
But the foundation does much more than organise trips. Through our partnership with the Pelicano Foundation for Child Poverty we support families with school costs, sports memberships and other practical needs. Small things sometimes, but with a big meaning in the daily lives of colleagues and their families. What moves Chantal again and again is the gratitude. Not as a polite gesture, but as a genuine response to something that has really helped someone. That is also exactly what sets the foundation apart from the way many companies approach social engagement. In Belgium there are few organisations that really go for this, without it becoming a PR story. Vebego Foundation does.
Germany: thi si show you really get to know your colleagues
Vebego Foundation makes it possible to offer help precisely where it is needed. In Germany, the foundation is actively building partnerships and programmes that genuinely benefit colleagues, regardless of where they work or live and that is what makes the connection with the foundation so special.
My Effort, My Project shows time and again what special people work at Vebego. Our colleagues do not only think about themselves. They step up for others, for their community, for something close to their heart. Every application brings a new story to the surface. One volunteers at the local riding school, another trains young people at a taekwondo club, a third coaches a football team at the weekend. Funny, surprising and always inspiring. This is how the foundation connects our colleagues not only with help, but also with each other. And it is important to say this: when colleagues themselves need support, that remains entirely private and confidential. The foundation stands for a safe place, where you can ask a question without any barrier. With initiatives such as Make-A-Wish and the planned school bag campaign in partnership with a children’s aid organisation in 2026, the foundation is also building concrete, visible impact in Germany. Step by step, application by application, story by story.
Switzerland: full of energy and momentum
Switzerland is the youngest chapter of Vebego Foundation, and that chapter is being written with a great deal of energy. Since autumn 2025, Rahel has been representing the foundation in Switzerland, and a lot has already been set in motion.
Previously, the foundation was only known to a small group in Switzerland. Rahel tackled that head on. The foundation is now a fixed part of the Welcome Day, so that new colleagues know from day one what the foundation stands for. Internal communication is being used structurally and new flyers and posters are in preparation. A special milestone: Switzerland is working on the first ever social partnership in the country. A solidarity initiative for children, in partnership with a local organisation, will start soon. A moment Rahel is very much looking forward to, and one we will be sharing more about in the near future.
What makes the foundation strong: Swiss society has a deeply rooted culture of volunteering. Around 40% of the population do voluntary work, on average almost four hours a week. That commitment lives in Vebego employees too. The foundation fits in with it seamlessly.
What connects us
Four countries, four stories. One shared belief: that showing up for someone else matters. That is Vebego Foundation. Not a one off programme, but a culture of caring for each other that keeps on growing.
Want to get involved, or reach out for support yourself? Find out how to lend a hand, or where to go with your own question.
