From 2026, Eclosio and ULB-Coopération will become Ucoopia

After many years of close collaboration, it is now official: in January 2026, Eclosio and ULB-Coopération will join forces to create Ucoopia, Europe’s first inter-university NGO.

With the support of our parent universities, ULiège and ULB, joined by the University of Mons, our ambition is clear: to better respond to global challenges through more effective, more agile action that is even more firmly rooted in academic expertise.

‘In the current context of significant pressure on public funds allocated to cooperation, the merger of our two NGOs, which share a common vision and academic DNA, will bring real added value to our projects.’

Patrick Wautelet, professor of law at ULiège and president of Eclosio.

Building bridges between knowledge

Ucoopia has set itself an ambitious mission: to promote dialogue between different areas of knowledge in order to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Continuing the work carried out by ULB-Coopération and Eclosio, it will bring together university communities, local populations and public authorities around innovative, sustainable projects that meet local needs. Its academic roots will be at the heart of its identity: involvement in research and development projects, practical application of university research, civic education initiatives on campuses, partnerships with universities in the North and South, etc.

‘Ucoopia is opening a new chapter in the history of NGOs. It is a unique association, the first of its kind in Europe, which illustrates the strength and dynamism of academic cooperation within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and paves the way for the cooperation of tomorrow.’

Serge Jaumain, Advisor to the Rector of the ULB for Cooperation and President of ULB-Coopération

Expansion of our areas and themes of action

The merger will offer new opportunities for collaboration. Ucoopia will now be present in nine countries across four continents:

Thanks to the combined expertise of our NGOs and universities, we will work hand in hand to:

Encourage environmentally friendly food production methods that generate income for families

Empower young people to build a decent professional future through employment or entrepreneurship

Enable everyone to access quality healthcare

Support student communities in global citizenship and solidarity initiatives.

A smooth transition

Until January 2026, both NGOs will continue their current activities and commitments. No immediate changes are planned for their teams, partners or ongoing projects. This transition period will ensure a smooth integration, resulting in a unified, agile and stronger organisation.

‘Current projects will continue without interruption and with the same commitment to our beneficiaries and local partners, in order to achieve sustainable results. However, Ucoopia opens up new prospects: those of an even more effective, committed and innovative university NGO.’

Julie Simon, Deputy Director of ULB-Coopération and future Director of Ucoopia

Looking to the future

With Ucoopia, a new chapter is opening for Francophone university solidarity. A chapter driven by the conviction that together, by pooling our knowledge, experience and resources, we can build fairer, more effective and more sustainable responses to global challenges.