Ucoopia: a committed

inter-university NGO 

Our founding universities

Ucoopia was born out of a unique encounter: the merger of Eclosio (the NGO of the University of Liège) and ULB-Coopération (the NGO of the Free University of Brussels). Together, they paved the way for a new way of thinking about international cooperation and solidarity. The University of Mons (UMONS) quickly joined this initiative, giving rise to the very first inter-university NGO in Europe. 

An unprecedented alliance between cooperation and universities 

Ucoopia is proof that academia and cooperation can reinforce each other. We combine the experience of two university NGOs, the scientific expertise of our three founding universities, and the wealth of our local partnerships. This unique combination allows us to act with greater impact, greater agility, and an ever-stronger foothold in the field. 

An NGO serving
three university
missions 

Our strength lies in this alliance,
which allows us to contribute fully
to the three essential missions of our universities: 

Education

We build bridges between audiences and the field. 

  • With Interdis’cours, speakers from our partner countries share their experiences in Belgium.
  • We also develop modules that are integrated into curricula—for example, on sustainable food systems—and continuing education courses for cooperation professionals. 
  • As an NGO recognized in continuing education (Axis 1), we organize activities on campuses to equip students with the tools they need to understand, question, and take action on major social issues. 

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Together, we advance knowledge. 


  • Our research and development projects bring together researchers, students, and local communities.
  • We supervise internships, final year projects, and doctoral theses in Belgium and internationally, putting research at the service of social change. 

Services to society

On the campuses of ULB, ULiège, and UMONS, we mobilize students around global challenges: the environment, sustainable food, gender equality, interculturality, social justice, etc. We also support those who wish to implement concrete actions related to these themes by offering them the necessary tools and support. 

Our actions also aim to support teachers who wish to integrate Service Learning into their courses. This educational approach aims to integrate fieldwork that responds to the needs expressed by society into the academic curriculum. These are all opportunities to broaden horizons and prepare the next generation to take on the world’s greatest challenges.