People for People Foundation is a collective of entrepreneurs who strive to support people of all nationalities who seek safety and asylum in the Netherlands by taking action to meet essential needs and build humane and dignified living conditions.
About us
We are committed to supporting those seeking safety and peace in any way we can, regardless of their background.
We vow to focus on what unites us, and not on what divides us.
We’ll abstain from passing judgment on anyone or anything.
The people
It all starts with finding the right people. We worked with many volunteers over the past few months. In total 60+ are involved in our community and on average 10-15 people are actively involved on a daily basis.
Leadership
- Marcella Simons – foundation director
- Jesse van der Meulen – advisory board
- PJ van Krevel – advisory board
- Ali Niknam – co-founder
- Joris Beckers – co-founder
- Robert Vis – co-founder
Core Team
Marcella Simons
Foundation Director
Martijn Beenen
Partnership Manager
Paris Bowling
Project Manager
Leander Potze
Project Manager
Nazanin Mirsharifi
Content Manager
Tom Tawfik
Programme Manager
Core Team Volunteers
Roderick Vernooy
Event Coordinator
Jorieke de Jong
Project Manager
What we do
1. We help people directly on the ground (local support) and through our network of partner foundations (online & in NL)
2. We enable foundations to grow their impact and reach more people by matching our network’s assets with their needs
3. We coordinate initiatives around basic human needs: local support, employment & visas, housing, food, medicines, logistics & transport, finances, integration, information, etc.
People for People Foundation: a six-month reflection
What happens when you build an aid organization like a startup?
Join the movement
We match people and foundations in need with companies that can fulfill these needs. We enable organizations such as Vluchtelingenwerk, Movement On The Ground, Takecarebnb, OpenEmbassy, On My Way UA, Netherlands for Ukraine and Lifeline Ukraine increase their impact.
Are you interested in exploring how you can use your talent and resources to make an impact? Join forces with like minded organizations including bunq, Picnic, Messagebird, and Booking.com. Examples of activities we could explore together:
- Donate your assets (money, goods or services)
- Offer work and attract new talent
- Involve your customers
- Engage your employees
- Take a stand and engage your network
Founding story
The start of the Russian-Ukrainian war in February shocked the world, affecting everyone across generations and nationalities. While governments and global agencies grappled with the international implications of this tragic situation, a collective of entrepreneurs joined forces to get as many people affected by the war to safety as possible, marking the beginning of the journey of the People for People Foundation. What started as a message on LinkedIn by Ali Niknam, CEO of bunq, has grown faster and wider than expected.
At People for People we vow to focus on what unites us, regardless of people’s background. We believe that we, as entrepreneurs, can adapt quickly to changing circumstances, take action on behalf of those escaping conflict and use our resources where, when and as long as they are needed.
As wars continue to evolve, so do the needs of their victims. As an organization, People for People was created in the entrepreneurial spirit. Rather than staying fixed, we aim to change and adapt along with those needs.