Cooperative First Divison and Utrecht University to collaborate on CSR Policy

Niels Beenakkers en Jan-Willem van der Roest
Marc Boele (Coöperatie Eerste Divisie) and Jan-Willem van der Roest (USG)

Last Monday, the Coöperatie Eerste Divisie (Cooperative First Division, CED) and the Utrecht University School of Governance (USG) concluded a three-year collaboration. After USG had already entered into a partnership with the Eredivisie CV, the soccer clubs in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie are now also supported in the development, professionalizing and monitoring of CSR policy.

The collaboration is intended to make optimal use of the knowledge and skills with the aim of further professionalizing the CSR policy of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie (First division) and the clubs. As a result, both parties want to increase the social impact of professional soccer as a whole.

Marc Boele, CEO of Coöperatie Eerste Divisie, is enthusiastic about the new fruitful collaboration. We are pleased with this partnership. Through the expertise of Utrecht University, we, as CED, can help the Keuken Kampioen Divisie clubs with their development in the field of CSR. This is another step in the right direction for the clubs.

The Keuken Kampioen Divisie stands for development

Jan-Willem van der Roest, Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, looks ahead to the collaboration: It's great to be able to support all clubs in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. The Keuken Kampioen Divisie stands for development; a value that is also very important to us. In recent years, we have gained a lot of experience in guiding clubs in professional soccer around social impact. We see great added value for the clubs and our students.

Within the partnership, we work together on:
 

  • Guiding clubs in their CSR strategy based on the Theory of Change. This is a tool for realizing and understanding social change. On the basis of this instrument, clubs are advised on organisational development and strategy on a social level;
     
  • Researching the scope and impact of all social projects in the Eredivisie and publishing them in the coming seasons; Offering various interesting study assignments and internships and research positions at the Keuken Kampioen Divisie (clubs) and developing scientific output on public value creation in soccer;
     
  • Previously, Utrecht University, together with the Eredivisie CV, developed the course 'Leadership in Sport': social value(s) in professional football. Several clubs from the Keuken Kampioen Divisie are already participating in this course. Read more about this on this page: https://www.uu.nl/nieuws/leiderschap-in-sport-nieuwe-opleiding-voor-mvo-managers (in Dutch).

More information


More information? Please contact Jan-Willem van der Roest: j.vanderroest@uu.nl.