VCA’s digital leap: “Byner bridges the gap between daily practice and IT”
In a city where 280,000 volunteers dedicate their time to helping others, one organization keeps it all running smoothly: Vrijwilligers Centrale Amsterdam (Volunteer Center Amsterdam, VCA). Working behind the scenes of countless social initiatives, VCA connects, strengthens and revitalizes community efforts. With the support of Byner, the organization made a major step forward: from scattered Excel sheets to one powerful platform that unites collaboration, insights and impact. “We knew that if we wanted to stay future-proof, digitalization was the way forward,” says Managing Director Henriette van der Meij.
VCA is Amsterdam’s central hub for volunteering. It supports thousands of non-profits, companies and local initiatives: from recruitment and policy to governance and legislation. The organization also helps residents find meaningful volunteer opportunities and works with partners to ensure volunteering keeps growing across the city.
A new job board ánd a solid CRM
For years, VCA relied on separate tools, spreadsheets and an outdated job board. “That old system was really basic”, recalls Communications Advisor Eline Gelderblom. “Organizations could post vacancies and volunteers could respond, that was all. When the provider stopped supporting it, we knew this was our chance to do things properly.”
The organisation didn’t just need a new job board. They wanted a system that could support everything they do. And that’s way more than bringing volunteers and organizations together. “Our data and activities were spread everywhere, which caused challenges, especially when people joined or left the team”, says Henriette. “We needed more structure, one central workspace and better insight into our customers. And because we report to the local government, fast and reliable reporting was a must.” In short, besides the new job board, a solid CRM system was crucial.
The solution: a tailored platform that fits like a glove
That’s where Byner came in. What convinced VCA wasn’t just the technology, but the flexibility to adapt the platform to their unique way of working. “Byner guided us every step of the way”, Eline explains. “We started with the essentials and expanded from there, always focused on what would really help us in practice.”
‘Byner bridges the gap between our daily work and IT’
VCA found more than just a software provider, they found a true partner. “Byner is always there for us”, says Eline. “They think along, challenge us and help us make smart choices that fit our organisation. They help us see what’s possible, but also remind us to keep things clear and workable. And when we need help, they’re often our lifesavers.” As a non-profit without an IT department, VCA values that support deeply. “Byner really bridges the gap between our day-to-day work and IT”, adds Henriette. “They’re reliable, approachable and simply great to work with.”
The results: clarity, insights and control
The impact has been significant. Team members can now enter and retrieve information easily, ensuring smooth handovers and consistent workflows. “We’ve made a huge step in professionalism”, says Henriette. “We move faster, report efficiently and respond better to the needs of both organizations and volunteers. Everyone works with the same up-to-date information, and that brings confidence.”
Eline adds: “Reporting used to take days. Now it’s done in minutes, and the insights we get from those reports are invaluable for ourselves too.”
'We move faster, report efficiently and respond better to the needs of stakeholders'
A platform that inspires other cities
VCA’s new job board has also received a major upgrade, both in design and functionality. Recently, VCA introduced top vacancies, helping organizations and volunteers connect even better. “Other volunteer centers often reach out to ask how we made this work”, Eline says. “They love how clean and intuitive it is. We’re really setting the bar, and that’s something to be proud of. It proves that social organisations can absolutely innovate when they work with the right partners.”
Moving forward together
The collaboration with Byner continues to evolve. “We keep making steps forward together”, says Henriette. “But we’re already proud of how far we’ve come. This new way of working has brought us so much further. And most importantly, it helps us focus on what truly matters: connecting people in Amsterdam with meaningful volunteer work.”
Key benefits
- Reports in seconds: from days of work to one click
- Everything in one place: centralized data, activities and contacts
- A job board that works: modern, user-friendly and ready for growth
- Full insights: into both volunteers and organizations
- A trusted partner: proactive, honest and always engaged
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