Official launch of Ucoopia in Benin alongside our partners

On 27 March 2026, Ucoopia was officially launched in Benin at an event attended by institutional, academic and technical partners, as well as civil society representatives. Relive the highlights of the event in the video below.

The launch ceremony provided an opportunity to highlight Ucoopia’s new inter-university identity, its prospects and the themes that guide its work.  Having been active in Benin for many years through Eclosio, this new phase has also provided an opportunity to highlight the founding partners of this new NGO, notably ULB-Coopération (Free University of Brussels) and the University of Mons.

Through this merger, Ucoopia is paving the way for new areas of focus in Benin, particularly health and health systems, which can be developed gradually to complement the work already being carried out in the fields of sustainable food systems, natural resource management, entrepreneurship, socio-economic integration, and education for global citizenship and solidarity. This new focus area is fully in line with the ‘One Health’ approach, which links human, animal and environmental health — an area that Ucoopia Benin wishes to strengthen in the coming years.

A programme packed with opportunities for exchange

After the participants had been welcomed and a few opening remarks had been made, the event began with the screening of an introductory video outlining the founding of Ucoopia. This introduction was followed by several speeches, starting with a video message from Julie SIMON, Ucoopia’s Chief Executive. The Country Director in Benin, Franck Ogbonnikan ADJE, then presented Ucoopia’s strategic priorities and outlook in Benin, followed by a speech by Jacques HOUGBENOU HOUNGLA, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAEP Benin), who emphasised the importance of dialogue between public institutions and stakeholders on the ground.

A panel discussion on the agroecological transition

The speeches were followed by a panel discussion on a key issue for Ucoopia: the role of partnerships between universities, NGOs and producers in accelerating the agroecological transition.

Chaired by Euloge ADIMI, the panel brought together three speakers working on these issues, including Elodie TAFETI, project manager and gender and decent work officer at Ucoopia Benin, Edgar Maxime DEGUENON, coordinator of the NGO Hortitechs Développement; and Germain DOSSOU, coordinator of the National Association of Women Farmers of Benin (ANaF-Benin). The panel was followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience.

The discussions highlighted several areas for action, such as: gaining a better understanding of the barriers to the adoption of agroecological practices in order to make them more accessible, particularly for the most vulnerable groups; giving greater prominence to local knowledge in research, innovation and decision-making; identifying and supporting ‘champions’ of change (young people, women, entrepreneurs and producers) capable of driving and disseminating innovations; and gaining a better understanding of the links between food systems and overall health so that these can be incorporated into interventions.

The event concluded with a group photo and a networking drinks reception, providing a relaxed setting for participants to chat and get to know one another.

What next?

More than just an official launch, this event was above all an opportunity to come together and reaffirm a shared commitment. With Ucoopia, a new chapter is beginning in Benin — one that builds on the work already carried out, whilst strengthening the links between research and the field.

We are delighted to continue this journey alongside our partners and the people we work with every day.