ucoopia

About ucoopia

Ucoopia is a Belgian university-based NGO for international cooperation, created from the merger of Eclosio and ULB-Coopération and supported by the University of Liège, the Free University of Brussels (ULB), and the University of Mons. It presents itself as the first inter-university NGO in Europe, combining academic research, field action, and civic engagement.

The organization works with local partners and academic communities in Belgium and across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Its mission is to support dignified living, fundamental rights, inclusive and equitable societies, and sustainable development through partnerships, knowledge-sharing, advocacy, and citizen mobilization.

Core Values

• Environmental and social responsibility: Ucoopia emphasizes protecting natural resources, supporting agroecological transition, and acting with concern for long-term social and ecological balance.
• Respect and dignity: Its work is grounded in respect for every person and in the defense of fundamental rights and human dignity.
• Solidarity and inclusion: The organization seeks to avoid leaving anyone behind, with a focus on equity, inclusion, and shared responsibility.
• Integrity and transparency: Ucoopia highlights ethical practice, transparency, and accountability in all its actions.
• Innovation and mutual learning: It values innovation, participatory methods, and reciprocal learning between academic, community, and institutional actors.

Unique Aspects

• First inter-university NGO in Europe: Ucoopia is presented as the first NGO of its kind in Europe, created through the merger of two university NGOs and later joined by UMONS.
• Strong university backing: Its founding and support structure links it closely to ULiège, ULB, and UMONS, giving it a distinctive academic base for cooperation work.
• Bridge between academia and field practice: Ucoopia explicitly combines research, action, and civic engagement, using research-action and campus-based collaboration as core operating methods.
• Wide geographic partnership network: The organization works with partners in Belgium and in countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, including Benin, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, the DRC, Bolivia, Peru, and Cambodia.
• Continuing education recognition: It notes recognition in continuing education, which supports its role in training, public education, and capacity-building activities.