Governance & Publications

Good governance is essential for any nonprofit organization, as it lays the foundation for transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making. At River Cleanup, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of governance to ensure that our mission to a create plastic-free world is achieved efficiently and ethically.

At River Cleanup, we have built our governance structure around principles of transparency, inclusivity, and professionalization. In 2024, we undertook a comprehensive review of our statutes and governance structures, updating them to reflect modern best practices. This process included appointing new board members and aligning our policies with the requirements for recognition as a Public Benefit Organization (ANBI) in the Netherlands.

At River Cleanup, transparency and impact go hand in hand. At this page, you’ll also find our annual reports, audit reports, and other key publications. We share these documents to keep our supporters, partners, and the public informed about our progress, finances, and the tangible difference we’re making for rivers around the world. Explore our data, stories, and results — because a clean river starts with clear information.

• Organization name: River Cleanup vzw

• Registration number: BE 0719.610.237

• VAT number: BE0719.610.237

• Address: De Merodelei 1, 2600 Antwerp, Belgium

• Email: partner@river-cleanup.org

• Website: www.river-cleanup.org

River Cleanup vzw is a non-profit, public benefit institution with the core objective of protecting nature and the environment, including the promotion of sustainability and environmental quality, in the Flemish Region, Belgium and the world. The focus is mainly on making rivers plastic-free through activities that (in)directly contribute to the prevention and clean-up of plastic waste and plastic pollution on land and in rivers.

General Assembly

The General Assembly consists of the founding members (Thomas de Groote, Laurent Lamblin, Bart van den Berghe, Arno Doggen) and the associated members. It's the association's highest body and guarantees the long-term functioning and social purpose of the organization. It approves the annual accounts and budget, appoints and dismisses directors, and decides on amendments to the articles of association and dissolution. The General Assembly ensures continuity and compliance with the association's mission.

Board of Directors (BoD)

The Board of Directors is the policy-making body as defined in Dutch ANBI legislation and the governing body as defined in Belgian non-profit legislation. The BoD determines the association's strategic direction, oversees the implementation of the multi-annual plan, and monitors financials. The BoD acts within the powers entrusted to it by the articles of association and the General Assembly.

The River Cleanup board is made up of experienced leaders from diverse sectors, including Wim Warnier (former CEO of TWE Group), Antoine Geerinckx (CO2Logic), and Prof. Veroniek Collewaert (Vlerick, KUL).

Advisory board

The Advisory Board offers collective and individual advice to the management team. The current members are Stefan Langkamp, Valérie de Groote, Klaus Lommatzsch, Martijn Bruyns, Thomas Snoeckx and Kevin De Backer.

Management team

The Management Team is responsible for the daily management and for realising the (multi) annual plan. The management team consists of Thomas de Groote (CEO / communication), Sabine Joukes (Head of Programs and Operations), Arno Doggen (Head of Development), Hans Lenders (Head of Partnerships) and a Head of Finance (vacancy).

Remuneration levels for all staff are in line with prevailing non-profit market rates. The members of the General Assembly and Board of Directors may not receive any remuneration for the work they perform for the institution in that capacity other than a non-excessive attendance fee and/or expense allowance (articles 16.6 and 17.6 of the statutes).