A Dutch foundation forming the character of young leaders — through virtue, service, friendship, and the long accompaniment of mentors. Built over years, not weekends.
Stichting Grotius is a Dutch ANBI-registered foundation, founded in 2023 and based in Maastricht. We create programmes, gatherings, and the long company of mentors so that young men and women can grow into leaders of character — at home, at work, and in public life.
Stichting Grotius · KvK 94263264 · ANBI · est. 2023
Facilitating companies
GLI forms men. vRLI is doing the same for women — in active development. Each is its own project, sharing the foundation's four pillars and the same long view.
Monthly LITE evenings with established professionals, Get-Togethers across the year, and the annual International Principled Leadership Conference (iPLC). GLI runs on its own pace, on its own terms.
Visit GLI →
vRLI is the foundation's sister project for women, with its own brand and its own pace. Today: a book club. Soon: a full programme. Women are welcome in the GLC and iPLC, now.
Visit vRLI →
Virtue-based leadership emphasises the cultivation of qualities like integrity, courage, and empathy. It goes beyond skill or strategy, focusing on doing what is right for one's team and the broader community.
By aligning actions with deeply held values, leaders earn trust, foster an environment of mutual respect, and inspire others toward shared goals. It is slower work than the leadership industry promises. It is also more durable.
A man cannot govern a nation if he cannot govern a city; he cannot govern a city if he cannot govern a family; he cannot govern a family unless he can govern himself; and he cannot govern himself unless his passions are subject to reason. — Hugo Grotius
The foundation's root work is to promote virtue-based leadership. The Grotius Leadership Course is how we do that — for men and women, for private individuals and for companies who want their people formed, not just trained.
StichtingGrotius presents GLC · the foundation's flagship course
Self-Knowledge — understanding yourself.
Self-Integration — living what you know.
Self-Giving — leadership as service.
2026 · open to men & women.
We offer programmes like the Grotius Leadership Course and the International Principled Leadership Conference to promote lifelong learning and personal growth. Leadership is built over years, not in a weekend.
Through initiatives like Youth ReachOut, we encourage leaders to engage in community service and uplift those around them. Authority is given to serve, not to be served.
We organise social events and gatherings to build a supportive network and foster meaningful relationships among participants — friendships that often last the working life.
We provide one-to-one and small-group mentorship. This guidance helps individuals refine their personal strengths and navigate challenges more effectively, with honest feedback and the right of correction.
Relive past events that have shaped leaders of tomorrow. Dive into the archive and get inspired by the stories of success and transformation.
Two days at the Amrâth Hotel de l'Empereur. Speakers from business, the academy, and public service convened on the theme of roots and fruits.
About iPLC →
An evening with Jordy Redding, Chief Operating Officer of Van de Beeten®, on meeting a challenge in practice — followed by an open forum and a borrel on the terrace.
Read the recap →
Twelve participants, three days. The opening of the foundation's flagship course. Reading, mentors, the first shared meals.
About the GLC →Stichting Grotius is an ANBI-registered Dutch foundation. Every contribution is tax-deductible in the Netherlands.
