For a number of years, Louvain Coopération has made environmental protection one of its key concerns. The difficulty of ecological projects lies in finding a balance between preserving a fragile natural environment and maintaining economic activity for local populations.

Mangrove forests develop in wetlands, at the interface between sea and land. They are a bulwark against the winds and waves, but also a breeding ground and nursery for thousands of animal and plant species. For their inhabitants, they are a reserve of wood essential to the construction of houses and canoes, but also a larder for those whose survival depends on fishing. On a global scale, they are a veritable lung, capturing up to ten times more CO2 per hectare than a conventional forest.

Louvain Coopération is taking part in a vast project for the restoration and sustainable management of mountainous agricultural ecosystems in South Kivu, initiated by the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation). The programme covers the territories of Kabare and Walungu, in the vicinity of the Kahuzi Biega National Park. Its aim is to improve development opportunities in the Democratic Republic of Congo through the sustainable exploitation of natural resources, as well as reforestation and the sustainable, community-based management of these resources.

In all the areas in which it operates, Louvain Coopération supports men and women farmers. The general aim is to improve living conditions for families, by working to diversify and increase harvests and related income, but also to structure cooperatives or sectors.

The Environmental Integration Tool Approach, also known as the "OIE" Approach, is a system designed to effectively and systematically integrate the environment into all Louvain Coopération projects linked to food and economic security. It is based on questionnaires covering soil, water and air quality, as well as biodiversity, waste, energy and the ability of local players to integrate the environment into their activities.

Since 2015, Louvain Coopération has been working with its local partners to support street children in the DRC. The aim: to support, but also to offer a future to these young people who have already suffered far too much.

Between 2016 and 2021, in the province of South Kivu, 600 vulnerable children and orphans were supported to finance their minerval fees and thus complete their primary or secondary education.

« It's important to train young people in this field, because we live in an agropastoral region with great potential for livestock farming and agriculture. Today, many young people have nothing to do, they can't find work, and sensible farming can provide them with an income. This training is an asset for a better future. Over the years, it has attracted more and more young people, because we try to make them understand that first and foremost, you have to eat, and that you can't live without agriculture and livestock farming.

Alexandra Bataille, an educator specialising in working with young people living on the streets, is studying clinical psychology at the University of Paris. She completed her Masters placement in Kinshasa, working on our project, and more specifically in the reception centres for girls. She talks to us about this experience.

LC: How would you describe the psychological state of the young people you met?

The activities carried out by Louvain Coopération in Belgium are many and varied. Organised throughout the academic year, they aim to raise awareness in the academic world, particularly among students, of South/North imbalances, gender inequalities and environmental problems.