Ucoopia, Europe's very first inter-university NGO, aims to increase the scope and effectiveness of cooperation initiatives. The result of an association between ULB-Coopération, the NGO of the Université libre de Bruxelles, and Eclosio, the NGO of the Université de Liège, with the support of their parent universities and the Université de Mons.
From January 2026, the NGOs of the universities of Brussels and Liège will join forces. The general assemblies of the two ASBLs approved the merger on June 25, following several months of preparation in partnership with their parent universities and the University of Mons.
"In the current context of considerable pressure on public resources devoted to cooperation, the union of our two NGOs, which share a common vision and a university DNA, will bring real added value to our projects", assures Patrick Wautelet, Professor of Law at ULiège and President of Eclosio.
Serge Jaumain, advisor to the Rector of ULB for Cooperation and President of ULB-Coopération, is equally enthusiastic: "Ucoopia opens a new chapter in the history of NGOs. It's an unprecedented association, unique in Europe, which illustrates the strength and dynamism of academic cooperation within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, and paves the way for tomorrow's cooperation."
Indeed, the Université de Mons is already committed to the new structure. "The UMONS is enthusiastic and proud to join the inter-university NGO Ucoopia, an essential extension of the university's commitment to society," says Laurence Ris, Vice-Rector for Relations, Mobilities and International Cooperation at the university.
As Europe's leading inter-university NGO, Ucoopia's mission is to build bridges between knowledge.continuing the work of its two NGOs, it will bring together university communities, local populations and public institutions around projects that respond, in innovative and sustainable ways, to tangible problems in health, the environment, education and employment. "Ucoopia embodies what ULB has always stood for: free thought, critical science and a concrete commitment to greater social justice," emphasizes Anne Weyembergh, ULB's Vice-Rector for External Relations and International Cooperation.
Ucoopia aims to become a benchmark in Belgium and beyond. Active in Latin America, Europe, West, Central and Southern Africa and Asia, Ucoopia will bring together not only the universities of Brussels, Liège and Montpellier, but also other higher education establishments in the North and South.
Ucoopia's future director, Julie Simon, says with conviction: "Ucoopia opens up new perspectives: those of an even more effective, even more committed and even more innovative university NGO!" However, she would like to reassure everyone: "For the time being, nothing is changing within the two organizations that are about to merge.ongoing projects will continue with the same commitment to our beneficiaries and local partners."
Eclosio
Eclosio is the NGO of the University of Liège. It works in Benin, Senegal, Guinea, Cambodia, Peru, Bolivia and Belgium, focusing on three main themes: the agro-ecological transition, the socio-economic integration of populations, and civic engagement in the face of societal and climatic challenges.
Through its actions, Eclosio aims for a world where current and future generations together exercise their right to live in dignity, in harmonious interaction with their environment.
ULB-Coopération
ULB-Coopération is the NGO of the Université libre de Bruxelles. It is active in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Belgium. It is active in four areas: health & health systems, territories & resources, management & entrepreneurship, and education & critical citizenship. Through each of these areas, the aim is to improve living conditions for populations, socially, environmentally and financially, by co-constructing projects with all stakeholders.
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A history graduate from the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters at the University of Liège in 2003, Frédéric Bernard has had an extraordinary career. He spoke to many students during a special meeting.
