Nelis Company: Working on a second chance!

Nelis has been around since 1918 – ‘we go way back’.

Founded by the father of Grandpa Nelis – the opera-singing window cleaner from The Hague’s Schilderswijk district – the company has grown from a traditional window cleaning business into a social enterprise with a mission. Today, Nelis creates opportunities for people who find themselves on the sidelines of the labour market – offering work, guidance and, above all, trust.

In an inspiring conversation with Peter van Gogh, Operations Manager at Nelis, one thing became immediately clear: this is no ordinary cleaning company. “We’re not striving for perfection,” he says, “we’re striving for perspective.”

Structure, trust and craftsmanship

At its core, Nelis is about helping people find their place in society again. It all started with picking up young people off the street and teaching them the window cleaning trade. Today, the team includes around twenty people: a mix of learners and mentors. No formal training programmes, just a human approach that works.

“We don’t just teach people a trade,” Peter explains. “We teach them how to bring structure back into their lives. Getting up, showing up on time, taking responsibility – that’s often the biggest achievement.”

Every trainee at Nelis receives a personal plan. Not a pile of paperwork full of jargon, but short, meaningful conversations, achievable goals, and above all: real attention. It’s about truly seeing people, taking them seriously, and being there when things get tough.

With a smile, Peter shares:
“One of our trainees used to oversleep five times a week. When he was ‘only late three times’ he already felt like he was making real progress. And rightly so – small steps can lead to big impact.”

Working with Impact

The power of Nelis hasn’t gone unnoticed. Organisations like Den Haag Werkt and special education schools (VSO) actively refer young people and job seekers to the company. They even organise introductory mornings, giving people the chance to experience what it’s like to work at Nelis.

Nelis’ clients also make a conscious choice. Of course they want clean windows, but more importantly, they want to create social value.
“Some of our clients partner with us to make a difference in the city,” says Peter. “They understand that social impact is just as important as the end result.”

And when it really matters? The Nelis team is ready – with clear agreements, humour, and a healthy dose of humanity. A kick in the pants when needed, and a shoulder to cry on when it matters most.

SDGs in Action

Every day, Nelis shows how the Sustainable Development Goals can come to life in practice. The company directly contributes to:

• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: by guiding people towards employment and craftsmanship.
• SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: by offering opportunities to those furthest from the labour market.
• SDG 4 – Quality Education: by investing in hands-on learning and personal development.

💬 “We don’t just give people one or two chances – sometimes they get three. Because real growth takes time – and trust.”
– Peter van Gogh

Nelis is a powerful example from The Hague of how social entrepreneurship can change lives – and help build a stronger, more inclusive city.