Eric has been involved in various volunteer roles before initiating the Rainbow Salute Foundation and Initiative.

In the early '90s, Eric was on the organising committee of the first and second Walk for Life in Amsterdam, the sponsor walk for the fight against Aids. In 2018 and in 2022 Eric volunteered at the Aids conferences of the International Aids Society (IAS), respectively in Amsterdam and Montreal. Eric intends to volunteer again at the AIDS2024 conference in München, Germany.

In 2013, Eric with a friend initiated PRIDE66 (initially GAY66), the rainbow network of the Dutch political party D66 (social democrats) and chaired that organisation for 10 years. In this role, Eric was involved with the organisation of boats for Amsterdam Pride, first for D66, later for the combined political parties, under the slogan 'Unity for the Community'.

Stepping down as chair of PRIDE66 in August 2023, Eric started the Rainbow Salute Initiative, supported by the foundation.