‘Plogging’ comes from the Swedish verbs for picking up trash (“plocka upp”) and jogging (“jogga”). Yep, plogging is the Swedish fitness trend that combines jogging or walking, whatever you prefer, while helping the environment. Sporty, sustainable and rewarding! At the QbD Group, plogging is a regular activity – it’s our small way of making a difference. 

At QbD Group, we’re committed to reducing our environmental impact, particularly from our vehicle fleet, which is why we’re speeding up the conversion to electric cars. To further this goal, we’re launching the ’30 Days Less Cars Challenge’ every June. 

Participants are encouraged to leave their cars at home and embrace alternative transportation modes like walking, biking, carpooling, or public transport. This initiative not only helps the environment but also promotes a healthier lifestyle. To keep the momentum going, the QbD Group Foundation is hosting special side-events, including a mobile bike mechanic service, and providing breakfast, lunch, and delightful treats for all challengers.

At QbD Group, we love supporting local initiatives by collecting clothes, shoes, accessories, and household textiles for ‘De Collectie’ to give them a new lease on life!
We organize this initiative twice a year to continuously contribute to a more sustainable future. 

De collectie brings together 5 non-profit organizations in Antwerp: De Kringwinkel Antwerpen, Oxfam, Wereld Missiehulp, Kindervriend, and Mensenzorg.

The QbD Group proudly showed up in full force at the ZoniënTrail 2023! The entire proceeds from the event were dedicated to the groundbreaking Glioblastoma research project, led by Professor Frederik De Smet at KU Leuven’s Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine (LPCM). 

The QbD Chair, part of the QbD Group Foundation’s initiatives, supports this much-needed research. Our sponsorship, along with the enthusiastic participation of our QbD’ers, helped raise additional funds for this cause.

Even though we faced muddy terrain and fallen trees, our determination prevailed as we conquered the 25k, 15k, and 5k runs and walks. We went the extra mile together, quite literally, for a noble cause! 

At the end of each year, we sell End-of-Year postcards designed by KATR!NAHOF (M!RO) in Belgium. The proceeds go to charities such as the ‘Me to You Foundation’, and in 2023, we were very happy to raise €1540 for their cause!

The Me to You Foundation is dedicated to advancing specific research projects aimed at combating leukemia and related forms of bone marrow and blood diseases. Additionally, the foundation offers support to leukemia patients of all ages, strives for optimal quality of life for the patient, and provides public education. It was founded by survivors and boasts a scientific expert council tasked with overseeing research initiatives.

Our CEO, Bart Van Acker, and Professor Frederik De Smet established a Research Chair in 2021 because a mutual close friend of theirs, Pieter Van Vlierberghe, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. Unfortunately, Pieter did not benefit from the research himself as he sadly passed away at the end of 2022, but he hoped that others after him would have better chances of recovery with this research.  

Learn more about this impactful initiative and its personal connection.

KATR!NAHOF is a fantastic non-profit organization that makes a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and adults with disabilities. M!RO, one of their living groups, fosters a warm and welcoming environment where individual needs are met alongside engaging group activities.

We’re thrilled to partner with KATR!NAHOF and M!RO. In addition to our end-of-year card sale fundraiser, they generously treat us at HQ to delicious homemade soup every month on Fridays. They also lend a helping hand when it comes to securing Easter and Sinterklaas treats, making them our chocolate heroes as well!

At QbD Group, we’re all about giving back! That’s why our team in Colombia started the ‘Haz feliz a un niño’ (Make a child happy) campaign, to support the kids who need it most and make sure our growth benefits everyone.

In December 2023, we hit a big milestone with the tenth edition of Haz feliz a un niño. We handed out over 400 gifts, delicious snacks, and organized fun activities, all with a big dose of love.

This year, we also went green by wrapping our gifts in newspapers. On that special day, more than 30 awesome helpers – employees, families, and friends- came together to spread joy and love.

The best part? Seeing the kids’ happy faces! We’re excited to keep this tradition going and keep making a positive impact in our community.

At QbD Group, we are proud to support City Pirates, an inspiring social project that goes far beyond football. City Pirates is a community of over 1,600 young people in Antwerp, using football as a tool to promote social mobility and provide structure, discipline, and responsibility to youngsters facing challenging circumstances. Through mentorship and education, they help these young “pirates” become the leaders of tomorrow.

Recently, we donated over 20 refurbished laptops to help empower these children. These laptops will be used in three ways:

• Homework support: providing children with access to educational platforms like Smartschool, ensuring they can complete their homework.
• Distribution to those in need: a number of laptops will be given to children within City Pirates who lack the resources to obtain one on their own.
• Loan program via the Comeback Store: in the Borgerhout area, City Pirates runs a second-hand store for school and sports materials. The laptops will be available for loan to anyone in the community.

Thanks to your generosity, our 2024 holiday food collection for Dakant was a huge success!

On Sunday, February 9, members of the QbD Group Foundation team delivered and distributed your donations. In the morning, they sorted and packed food and hygiene products onto pallets, and in the afternoon, they helped distribute essentials to those in need.

Did you know?

• Dakant organizes food distributions every Sunday from November to March.
• Local bakeries donate fresh bread and pastries.
• Fresh produce is purchased with financial donations.
• Additional goods come from the Voedselbank and retailers like Carrefour.

Your support made a real impact. Thank you! 💛

As part of the QbD Group Foundation’s ongoing commitment to social and sustainable impact, our old promo banners have been transformed into unique, handmade etuis.

This initiative was led by colleague Alissa De Koning, in collaboration with Den Haag Werkt – a social enterprise that supports people with a distance to the labor market. Together, we’ve turned waste into something practical, while supporting both inclusion and environmental responsibility.

Our QbD Colombia team is making a difference — not just in the life sciences, but in their local community as well.

They’ve partnered with 'Carmenza Fundación Canina', a local animal shelter caring for more than 130 dogs, many of which rely on donations for food, blankets, medicine, and grooming supplies. It’s a small act of kindness that has a big impact on these animals’ well-being.

At QbD Group, we proudly support and encourage initiatives that care for the lives of both children and animals. Every step we take to support vulnerable lives is a step toward a more compassionate world.

Let’s keep making an impact! 💚

As part of our commitment to making a positive impact, the QbD Group Foundation organizes a blood donation campaign every year in collaboration with the Red Cross — because just one donation can save up to three lives.

By coming together for this cause, we’re not only supporting public health, but also reinforcing our shared values of compassion, responsibility, and impact.

Whether it’s your first time donating or you're a regular donor, every contribution matters. 

Let’s keep driving meaningful change — one drop at a time.