Green Leisure (Group)

What Green Leisure (Group) does

Green Leisure Group Coöperatie U.A. is a Dutch network cooperative founded on January 1, 2021, and headquartered in Rotterdam. The firm delivers practical and strategic sustainability advisory services to organizations in the tourism, hospitality, cultural, sports, and events sectors, operating through three service pillars: Green Stages (cultural institutions), Green Sport (sports organizations and events), and Green Leisure (hotels, restaurants, recreation, and vacation parks). Its core offering combines certification support (notably Green Key and SHIFT Culture, the latter audited by its wholly owned subsidiary Vector42), facilitated sustainability circles for peer learning, Train-de-Trainer programs (e.g., Train de Afvalcoach in de Sport), independent sustainability verification for events, and impact measurement using partner tools such as My Impact Tool.

The business model is professional services-based, with project fees and multi-year contracts funded by a mix of private clients, sector associations (KHN, Museumvereniging, NFO, Toerisme Alliantie Friesland), and government bodies (provinces of Utrecht, Noord-Holland, and Zuid-Holland, and municipalities including Rotterdam, Noordwijk, and Den Haag). Many programs are free to end-participating SMEs because they are government-funded. Green Leisure Group is led by co-founders Marco Ouwerkerk, Sander Verschuren, and Frans Verouden, with Nicole van Hoof joining as a board member and partner on January 1, 2026; total core staff is approximately 11, supplemented by a network of independent advisors. Operations are primarily in the Netherlands with growing activity in Flanders, Belgium.

Name

Green Leisure (Group)

Legal name

Green Leisure Group Coöperatie U.A.

Website

https://greenleisure.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Green Leisure Group is a Dutch network cooperative that advises tourism, hospitality, cultural, sports, and events organizations on practical sustainability, certification (Green Key, SHIFT Culture), and impact measurement through project-based consulting and government-funded programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Consulting Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Certification, Auditing & Standards (Green Lodging, Tour Operator Certification) (THAAANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Eco-Friendly Accommodation Solutions (Green Building, Retrofits, On-site Renewables) (THAAANAD), Eco-Boutique & Sustainable Lifestyle Hotels (THAGADAE)

Keywords

• Sustainability consulting
• Eco-certification services
• Hospitality sustainability advisory
• Cultural sector sustainability
• Sustainability program management

Headquarters

HQ city

Rotterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Sustainability Consulting and Advisory Services: Direct consulting engagements with individual businesses and organizations for sustainability analysis, strategy development, and implementation support. Revenue comes from project fees for sustainability coaching, verification services, and advisory engagements.
2. Government-Funded Sustainability Programs: Multi-year contracts with municipalities and provinces (e.g., Provincie Utrecht, Provincie Noord-Holland, Gemeente Noordwijk) to implement sustainability support programs for MKB businesses, cultural institutions, and sports organizations.
3. Training and Education Programs: Train-de-Trainer programs for waste management in sports sector, organized in partnership with VANG Buitenshuis, Sportkracht12, and Kenniscentrum Sport & Bewegen. Programs are often offered free of charge to participants.
4. Certification Support Services: Support for organizations obtaining certifications such as Green Key, including preparation, guidance through the inspection process, and ongoing compliance support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Green Leisure Group is a network cooperative that provides practical and strategic sustainability advisory services for tourism, hospitality, cultural institutions, sports organizations, and events. Offerings span three service pillars (Green Stages, Green Sport, Green Leisure) and include certification support (Green Key, SHIFT Culture), sustainability circles (kringen), training programs (Train de Afvalcoach in de Sport), independent sustainability verification, and award administration (Gaia Green Awards).

Product overview

Green Leisure Group is a network cooperative providing practical and strategic sustainability advisory services across three core pillars: Green Stages (cultural sector), Green Sport (sports sector), and Green Leisure (hospitality/tourism sector). The organization operates as a cooperative of independent specialists who translate sustainability challenges into successful practical solutions and strategic frameworks. Services include certification support programs (Green Key, SHIFT Culture), training programs (Train de Afvalcoach), award programs (Gaia Green Awards), network circles (Energy Circles, Sustainability Circles), event pavilions (Dit Smaakt Naar Meer!), and independent verification services. The company has developed notable initiatives like the Food Waste Challenge, Hotel Neutraal inspiration magazine, and supports major events with sustainability analysis and verification services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Green Stages: Sustainability services for the cultural sector, including theaters, pop venues, and cultural institutions.
• Green Sport
• Green Leisure

Products and services

• Green Stages Sustainability advisory services for the cultural sector (theaters, pop venues, museums, cultural institutions), helping them achieve eco-certifications such as SHIFT Culture, structure sustainable venue operations, and manage energy, waste and sustainable travel.
• Green Sport Sustainability advisory services for the sports sector (sports clubs, sports events, sports accommodations), including the Train de Afvalcoach in de Sport program for waste reduction and circularity.
• Green Leisure Sustainability advisory services for the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector (hotels, restaurants, recreation businesses, vacation parks), covering Green Key certification, energy circles and food waste reduction.
• Green Key Begeleidingstraject Guided trajectory helping hospitality and recreation businesses achieve Green Key certification through hybrid sessions covering all certification themes, practical tips and step-by-step sustainability implementation; 80% of participants achieve first-time certification.
• SHIFT Culture Eco-Certificering Eco-certification program for European cultural network organizations, developed with Culture for Climate Scotland, featuring peer-to-peer audits and eco-guideline implementation; subsidiary Vector42 performs independent audits.
• Food Waste Challenge Program helping restaurants and hospitality businesses measure, reduce and prevent food waste through practical tools and guidance, delivered in partnership with Wastewatchers.
• Gaia Green Awards Annual sustainability awards for hospitality businesses in Netherlands and Belgium, recognizing excellence in sustainable entrepreneurship across hotels, restaurants and MICE locations.
• Green Hotel Club Network program for hotels in Amsterdam sharing best practices on sustainability, with joint projects, partner deals, knowledge sharing and expert contacts.
• Green Cinemas Three-year program in which cinemas commit to sustainable business operations, with collective knowledge sessions and individual guidance on energy, waste reduction and sustainable mobility; initiated by Nederlands Filmtheater Overleg.
• Train de Afvalcoach in de Sport Two-day training program for sports organization employees to become waste coaches, learning to advise sports clubs on waste prevention, separation and circular measures; delivered in partnership with VANG Buitenshuis, Sportkracht12 and Kenniscentrum Sport & Bewegen.
• Heritage Venues Impactmeting Impact measurement service using the My Impact Tool (VO Group) to generate reports on CO2 footprint, circularity, biodiversity and inclusivity for cultural heritage venues; piloted with three Flanders Heritage Venues.
• Duurzaamheidskring Hotels Sustainability circles (kringen) for groups of hotels working together on energy, water, waste, food waste, biodiversity and sustainable procurement, with mutual learning and knowledge sharing.
• Energiekring Vakantieparken Energy circle program for vacation parks providing energy measurements, improvement reports and personal guidance for energy savings and sustainable business operations.
• Onafhankelijke Duurzaamheidsverificatie Independent verification of sustainability data and objectives for events and organizations, using certified inspectors, systematic document reviews, interviews and site visits; delivered in collaboration with Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES).
• Ontzorgingsprogramma Verduurzaming MKB Free support program for SMB entrepreneurs in retail areas to make buildings and processes future-proof, with independent expert advice, cost and subsidy insights, and implementation guidance; delivered with Schuttelaar & Partners for Provincie Noord-Holland.
• Programma Duurzame Cultuursector Program accelerating sustainability in the cultural and creative sector, mapping emissions and making knowledge, tools and practical examples accessible, with focus on future-proof buildings; coordinated with Kunsten '92.
• Museumkring Verduurzaming Sustainability support program specifically for museums, providing individual coaching and advice while enabling mutual learning through regular meetings among participating museums; delivered within Ontzorgingsprogramma voor maatschappelijk vastgoed in Utrecht.
• Dit Smaakt Naar Meer! Paviljoen Sustainability pavilion at Gastvrij Rotterdam hospitality trade fair, showcasing sustainable, biological and plant-based products and initiatives including the Groene Route and Shareaty food-donation collaboration.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of Green Key program participants successfully obtain first certification after completing the program
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Trees for AllminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for tree donation program. As of 2025, Green Leisure Group donates trees to clients as thank-you for trust, with Trees for All handling planting in Netherlands and international forest projects. Current counter shows 385 trees donated.
• Schuttelaar & PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Joint cooperation in service of Provincie Noord-Holland for the Ontzorgingsprogramma Verduurzaming MKB (OMKB). Team of four experienced coaches including Marco Ouwerkerk from Green Leisure Group support municipalities and entrepreneurs in sustainability of retail areas.
• VANG BuitenshuiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2023Partnership for accelerating circularity in sport and culture sectors. Green Leisure Group executes assignments related to material management in both sectors on behalf of VANG Buitenshuis. Includes Train-de-Trainers programs for waste management.
• Sportkracht12coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 14 July 2023Partnership for organizing Train-de-Trainers programs for sustainable waste management at sports clubs. Green Leisure Group trainers conduct training for regional sports organization staff.
• Gastvrij RotterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Long-term annual partnership for organizing the Dit Smaakt Naar Meer pavilion at the Gastvrij Rotterdam hospitality trade fair. Green Leisure Group is responsible for the sustainability pavilion, now in 13th edition. Partnership includes co-organization of Gaia Green Awards ceremony.
• Culture for Climate ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal ownership of SHIFT CULTURE certification held by Culture for Climate Scotland. Green Leisure Group, through subsidiary Vector42, provides audit services and content contributions to training workshops for European cultural networks.
• Kenniscentrum Sport & BewegencoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership in organizing training programs for sports sector waste management and circularity. Collaborates on Train-de-Trainers programs.
• Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for developing comprehensive sustainability objectives and ambitions for SAIL Amsterdam 2025. GSES provides framework for sustainability goal-setting while Green Leisure Group provides independent verification.
• Gemeente RotterdamcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial partner in Hotel Neutraal project, along with Provincie Zuid-Holland (RNIZ), NBTC, and Vang Buitenshuis. Supported 21 Rotterdam hotels in collective sustainability journey over two years.
• BlueCitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in Hotel Neutraal initiative. BlueCity, along with Gemeente Rotterdam, Rotterdam Partners, and Green Leisure Group, implemented two-year sustainability program for Rotterdam hotels.
• Rotterdam PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in Hotel Neutraal initiative for collective sustainability of Rotterdam hotels.
• Provincie Zuid-HollandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial partner in Hotel Neutraal project through RNIZ funding.
• NBTCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial partner in Hotel Neutraal project.
• ShareatyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership initiated by Green Leisure Group for food waste reduction at Gastvrij Rotterdam. Shareaty collects leftover food from stands and distributes to social kitchens serving homeless and vulnerable populations.
• Green Key NederlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial partner for delivering Green Key certification support programs to hospitality and recreation businesses. Green Leisure Group guides businesses through Green Key certification process.
• Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for food waste and sustainability initiatives in hospitality sector. KHN participates in sustainability circles and provides regulatory updates to members.
• Vector42coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company of Green Leisure Group that performs independent audits for SHIFT Culture eco-certification. Provides formal external audits for cultural network organizations.
• Toerisme Alliantie Friesland (TAF)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional partner for Green Key and sustainability programs in Friesland. TAF facilitates and finances sustainability initiatives for Friesian hospitality sector with Green Leisure Group providing expertise.
• Nederlands Filmtheater Overleg (NFO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiator of Green Cinemas convenant, with Green Leisure Group as implementation partner. Three-year program for cinemas to sustainably transform business operations.
• MuseumverenigingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for developing sustainable approach specifically for museums in Utrecht province. Green Leisure Group provides coaching within Ontzorgingsprogramma voor maatschappelijk vastgoed.
• Kunsten '92coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram coordination for Duurzame Cultuursector (Sustainable Cultural Sector) program. Green Leisure Group's Frans Verouden is part of project team responsible for future-proof buildings work package.
• Flanders Convention BureauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEngagement for impact measurement pilot with Flanders Heritage Venues. Green Leisure Group guided pilot using My Impact Tool at three heritage venues in Belgium.
• Event FlandersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClient for sustainability analysis of European Running Championships 2025 in Brussels and Leuven. Green Leisure Group provided comprehensive sustainability analysis and advisory.
• Impuls ZeelandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional development agency for which Green Leisure Group supports entrepreneurs with sustainability vouchers and circular breakthrough trajectories.
• The Hague & PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership in sustainability circles for boutique hotels and Haagse hotels in The Hague. Connects smaller hotels with larger hotel consultation structures.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Metabolic: Amsterdam-based sustainability consultancy advising companies, governments and NGOs on circular economy, climate strategy and impact measurement. Comparable to Green Leisure Group as a Dutch-rooted advisory helping organizations translate sustainability into practical action plans.
• Sustainalize: Dutch sustainability consultancy supporting SMEs, corporates and public-sector clients on ESG strategy, reporting and certification. Overlaps with Green Leisure Group in helping Dutch organizations operationalize sustainability and achieve recognized certifications.

Direct peers

• EarthCheck: Global benchmarking and certification program for the travel and tourism industry. Sander Verschuren of Green Leisure Group has EarthCheck auditing experience, and EarthCheck occupies the same niche of certifying hotels and tourism operators on sustainability performance.
• Travelife: Amsterdam-based sustainability certification and training provider for hotels, tour operators and accommodations. Directly comparable to Green Leisure Group in helping hospitality businesses achieve recognized sustainability certifications and supporting continuous improvement programs.
• Green Destinations: Netherlands-founded foundation that certifies sustainable destinations and tourism businesses. Directly comparable to Green Leisure Group in the eco-certification advisory niche for the tourism and leisure sector, with overlapping methodologies and customer types.

Broad incumbents

• SGS: World-leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company with sustainability service lines across tourism, hospitality and events. Represents the global incumbent alternative to Green Leisure Group for sustainability assurance and certification work.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection and certification giant offering sustainability and ESG assurance services. A broad incumbent competing for the same sustainability certification and verification mandates that Green Leisure Group's Vector42 subsidiary addresses for cultural networks.
• GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council): International standards body setting global criteria for sustainable tourism. While a standards body rather than an advisory, GSTC's criteria framework directly competes with Green Key/SHIFT Culture pathways that Green Leisure Group delivers against.

Regional players

• BlueCity: Rotterdam-based circular economy hub and operator that partnered with Green Leisure Group on the Hotel Neutraal project. Comparable as a regional circular-economy enabler targeting hospitality and tourism actors in the same geographic market.

Others

• Wastewatchers: Dutch specialist in food waste measurement tools and the Wastewatchers methodology used in Green Leisure Group's Food Waste Challenge. A technology/integration partner that is also a partial peer in food-waste advisory for the hospitality sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greenleisure

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Green Leisure (Group)