Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Proper Strand Lopers, founded by Tim Corbisier, has gained official recognition from the Flemish government as an environmental group, receiving €80,000 annually for two years. This support enhances their beach cleanup efforts, having collected over 110,000 litres of waste last year.
The Flemish government has officially recognised Proper Strand Lopers as an environmental group. It puts them on the same level as well-known groups like Natuurpunt and BOS+. According to authorities, this recognition shows how much they have done to fight pollution along the coast.Proper Strand Lopers started as a grassroots group. They have played an important role in getting volunteers to clean up the beaches.
How will Proper Strand Lopers use an €80K grant after recognition?
Proper Strand Lopers will receive a Flemish grant of €80,000 each year for two years. Authorities mentioned that this money would help them grow their work and organise bigger clean-up events. They can also buy new equipment and run educational programs. This support will help them involve more people in their mission to protect the coast.
According to Tim Corbisier, the founder of Proper Strand Lopers, the new funding gives them more confidence and helps them work better. He has been with Proper Strand Lopers full-time for a year because he could not manage it with his other job. He mentioned that the grant means he can keep supporting the group full-time in the future. They want to rent more space for their equipment and buy a larger vehicle. Right now, he uses his small family car, which is not practical anymore.
The extra resources give us more certainty for the future and will also allow us to work more professionally,
says Tim Corbisier.
Because the work for the Proper Strand Lopers could no longer be combined with my job, I have been working for the association for a year.
Tim Corbisier believes this extra funding will help them work better and faster. He mentioned, “It is time that we are going to buy.” The money will allow the group to improve their operations, buy better equipment, and expand their clean-up events.
He mentioned that this support will help them make a bigger impact in their efforts to keep the environment clean. They are excited about the future and what they can achieve with this help.
In short, you can say that thanks to the extra subsidies we will be able to work more efficiently and faster,
Corbisier concludes.
What impact has Proper Strand Lopers made on Ostend’s beaches?
9 years ago, Tim Corbisier from Ostend started a Facebook group called Proper Strand Lopers. The group aimed to encourage people to clean up the beach. They mentioned that members could share photos of trash they picked up during their walks or runs. This idea caught on quickly and attracted many people. Over time, the group grew into a real organisation. Proper Strand Lopers now work to fight pollution on the coast. They hold clean-up events and engage the community.
Proper Strand Lopers has gained support from many levels of government, including local mayors, West Flanders, and the federal government. Until recently, they did not get recognition from the Flemish government. That changed when they finally received official acknowledgement.
Last year, Proper Strand Lopers picked up more than 110,000 litres of waste from the beaches. This is almost a 25% increase from the year before. Environmentalists mentioned that with the new funding, the group can be ready to handle future challenges and help keep the coastline clean and healthy.
