Johan van Geijn has a unique track record as a specialist in international corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the world of sports, particularly in football and international development cooperation. With more than 25 years of experience – heading the international programs at the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) since 1998 to build local capacity through football in developing countries and low-income countries. More than 20,000 young volunteer coaches have been able to improve themselves in their local environment through programs developed by Johan.
As founder of the WorldCoaches program, Johan has proven many times how sport can serve as a means for social development. Using football as a catalyst for social cohesion, for the position of girls and women in society, for awareness of communicable diseases, drugs and addictions or clean water.
With the international challenges surrounding migration and refugees, using football as an initiator for programs to tackle youth unemployment in these countries. A range of thematic social challenges where Johan has been able to let football contribute to the approach and often to the solution.

International Trade Specialist | Educational Consultant | Entrepreneurship & Leadership Speaker.
Passionate about promoting the growth of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses through practical solutions in female empowerment, international trade, and access to global markets.

With over 13 years of experience combining international logistics, consulting, and education, my approach integrates:

✔ Strengthening entrepreneurial mindset and culture:

We provided training for 60+ female entrepreneurs, holding a workshop on introducing business models that sought to strengthen different concepts with the goal of encouraging purpose and introducing methodologies.

We designed the training program Accounting vs. Finance: Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset. Impacting approximately 200 entrepreneurs through the Opportunities Without Borders program.
✔ Leadership & Social Impact:

Ambassador for the international organization Mundo Rural Today. I promote partnership leadership through our Global Development Plan program. I work collaboratively for education and the economy, articulating SDG 8: Decent Work, linking public and private institutions, with SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

I belong to the mentor network of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Magdalena. I have mentored various projects, generating knowledge transfer and management in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

✔ Technical Experience:

Customs and logistics management: Optimization of operations in Free Trade Zones (ZFB Group, Hacienda La Gloria).

Educational Consulting: Development of training content in agile methodologies, applying design thinking.

🔹 "I believe in the power of education and collaboration to transform realities. Today, I help professionals and organizations connect their projects with global opportunities, while promoting equity and social innovation."

Long-term (35+ year) experience in sustainable economic development, climate change, environment in different economic sectors as an institutional development, strategic planning, capacity development, and knowledge management and communication expert in programmes and projects in Asia, Africa and Caribbean. Working in multi-disciplinary teams and for international organisations (ADB, UNICEF, UNDP, FAO, UNESCO, AU-NEPAD, IFAD-BSF, UNESCO-IHE, DFID, EC-DG-DEVCO/DG-INTPA, ACP-CTA, CAREC Institute), government and research institutions, universities, NGOs, private sector and (inter)national networks in Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Pacific.
In last two decades advising government institutions, international organisations and civil society organizations and networks in Asia/Pacific and Africa on institutional development, strategic and business planning, capacity development, knowledge and information management, communication, partnerships, use of ICTs, and innovation in different socio-economic sectors.
I have worked with international networks, NGOs, community-based organizations and local communities in the broader context of sustainable development with a focus on poverty reduction, gender equality, sustainable livelihoods, life-long learning, health and education. Before 2000 specifically focused on research and management of fisheries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.

For more information on my projects see: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/ruudcrul

Team Leader cooperation with the OCT - Overseas Countries and Territories

Independent Consultant on Environment, Climate Change, Natural Resources since 1983. Worked mainly for EU in Central Europe, Middle East, SS Africa, SE Asia
I am an experienced consultant, manager, and government advisor with a career spanning over 30 years on donor funded projects and cooperation: EU-ACP and EU-Budget, World Bank, bilateral cooperation, UNDP, FAO and UNOPS. I am a a source of information on programmes, procedures in development cooperation projects funded by the EU in relation to climate change mitigation and resilience building of communities, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition and food security, environmental issues, biodiversity conservation. He is experienced in setting up qualitative/qualitative, gender sensitive monitoring and management information systems for the natural resources sector and in setting up methods for assessing and payment for ecosystem services.
Vast parts of his career have been spent working in South-East Asia, Africa and is well-versed in the status of ODA issues in these regions. He has over 15 years’ experience in institutional strengthening and in team leadership for long and short-term Technical Assistance assignments.