We are Sparks, the social impact agency of Amsterdam Southeast translating your abstract social impact ambitions into tangible projects.
What we are about
Our story
Sparks was established by Marco Barsoum in 2020 from a deep urge to create more chances for more people.
After spending many years in the social domain and seeing numbers of initiatives struggling to establish themselves and make lasting impact, it became apparent to him that something needed to change. Our society needed resilient solutions to the ongoing societal challenges. It also became clear that existing financing frameworks, bureaucratic procedures and societal norms did not allow social impact initiatives to thrive structurally. He was motivated to ignite change. This is when Sparks was born.
Without friction no Sparks.
At Sparks, we believe that impact can only be lasting when many stakeholders’ interests align and untapped collaborations are exploited. This means collaborating with the municipality, non-profit organizations, community leaders, and the Private sector. Sometimes that requires to cultural and organizational changes. Thankfully we can tap into existing corporate initiatives or regulations such as ESG, CSRD, CSR, SROI, and many more. We support companies with their social impact ambitions.
We deeply believe in a local approach that leverages the neighborhood’s existing social infrastructure which includes community leaders and informal initiatives. These initiatives are sometimes fragile and just need professionalization and support to form the foundation of a lasting solution.
At Sparks we build resilience into social impact initiatives by creating a spiderweb of strong parties. Always with a single-minded goal to co-create with the community for the community.
Our Vision
Creating more chances for more people by guiding the private and public sector to lasting social impact initiatives.
*by lasting social impact we mean create positive social change, not just as a side project but as a fundamental part of your company’s identity, strategy and operations that is embedded in the surrounding community.
Our values serve as the foundation and guiding principles of everything we do.
Do we allign?
Our values
Community-led approach -
For the community, within the community
To make sure that Sparks creates relevant impactful projects that make sense in the vibrant context of Amsterdam Southeast, we always stay close to the community and acknowledge and value existing initiatives.
We prioritize strong connections with residents, community leaders and local (informal) organizations. Having the community in the lead is an undervalued superpower.
Relentless -
Where others might stop, we look for other ways
We won’t stop until every company takes its role in fighting social challenges and make social impact a fundamental part of their companies identity.
We don’t take “no” for an answer and keep searching for collaboration with partners who share our vision. Together with them we set the way towards the purpose-economy, no matter how long it takes.
Pragmatic -
more action,
less talking
We apply a hands-on approach and simplicity whenever possible. We help companies and municipalities to make actionable plans that contribute to people’s daily lives.
We connect people, we collaborate with existing projects, and we set up new relevant concepts for social impact. All tangible.
Meet
Our team
Get to know
Marco Barsoum
Founder & Social impact strategist & caring human being
My focus lies in creating strategical alliances, infrastructures and and visions that inspire and spark long lasting social impact on society.
My board membership at the UN Global Compact Network Netherlands underscores my commitment to supporting Dutch companies in accelerating their SDG ambitions.
I founded Sparks Impact to drive social innovation by connecting changemakers in Amsterdam Southeast and fostering transitions that promote equality and opportunity for “the many”. I thrive to make Amsterdam Southeast the best city district in the world and create blueprints of how to make impact in neighborhoods.
Get to know
Qendresa Rexhepi
Project Lead, Sister to three incredible siblings plus an unabashed whirlwind of playfulness.
My focus lies in neighborhood development and public space design, using community-led approaches and creative thinking. I am passionate about people and their relationship to cities, committed to civic empowerment, and ensuring that cities are shaped with all users in mind.
I love to think about how we can approach local communities and involve them in meaningful ways. What makes a city truly good? Sustainable, resilient, proud. What makes Amsterdam Zuidoost uniquely Amsterdam Zuidoost? Why is participation accessible to some but not to all? And how do we make it inclusive for everyone? Who decides, who owns the city? And why are cities so hard to change?
Get to know
Soraya Sait
Community Manager: Poortgebouw
It’s a pleasure to meet you. I help parents, organizations, and communities build the foundations that create lasting impact and bring their stories to life.
I move between worlds. Born in Amsterdam and shaped between the Netherlands and Suriname, I bridge the clarity of the city with the depth of my Javanese-Surinamese heritage.
As a doula, I support parents through one of life’s most transformative seasons with care that goes beyond the physical — emotional, systemic, and rooted in presence. For me, parenthood begins with self-leadership, because parents who lead with strength lay the groundwork for strong generations. I’m working toward creating a parenthood center where care, culture, and community come together, a space for parents to land, heal, and rise.
As a business consultant and trainer, I help organizations develop inclusive strategies and policies that honor people. I create environments where leadership, care, and work reinforce one another, because lasting impact only happens when systems align with who people truly are.
I also serve as a board member of a Javanese-Islamic mosque, where I lead rituals, develop youth programs, and nurture community.
My work is about building foundations for impact, so that people, organizations, and communities can live their stories powerfully and share them meaningfully.
Get to know
Richard Aborah
Projectlead: De Toekomstwinkel
Get to know
Teun Nieuwpoort
Intern
Hi, I’m Teun, a student in the House of Business program at ROC Amstelland.
With great joy, I’m happy to share that I’m doing my internship at Sparks Impact.
I’ll be working on marketing and communications at Sparks, and I’m really looking forward to the coming months. I expect to have many valuable and inspiring learning experiences, and I hope to connect with many of you.
