
Sustainable Food Systems
Working towards sustainable food systems
Louvain Coopération works towards sustainable food systems that guarantee food and nutritional security while preserving ecosystems and resilience to climate change.
These systems encompass all actors and activities related to the production, processing, distribution, preparation and consumption of food, including socio-economic activities and the resulting environmental impacts.
Louvain Coopération identifies levers for change at each stage of the value chain in order to strengthen local dynamics, encourage sustainable and fair agricultural practices, and promote healthy and accessible food for all.
Value chains, agroecology, natural resources
The development of sustainable food systems requires taking into account a whole range of factors, activities and actors. Our work focuses on several of these factors:
- Transition to agroecology
- Protection of natural resources and enhancement of ecosystem services
- Sustainable development of value chains
- Improvement of livelihoods

Madagascar
Coordination of coastal resilience activities in Morondava
- Project duration: 2025 - 2027
Our Objective
To strengthen the climate resilience of Morondava communities in the face of coastal erosion and flooding through integrated and sustainable coastal zone management.
Our Actions
- Training local stakeholders in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), climate change adaptation and sustainable natural resource management
- Promoting participatory management of coastal areas with the involvement of local authorities, NGOs and communities
- Strengthening natural defences against erosion (dunes, mangroves)
- Rehabilitation of the Hellot Canal to improve runoff management and prevent flooding
- Raising awareness among communities, particularly young people, of environmental issues and climate resilience
- Development of sustainable and replicable management models for other coastal regions of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean islands
Our Impact
This project contributes to better coastal protection, improves the resilience of populations to climate risks and offers sustainable solutions that can be transferred to other coastal contexts.

Togo
Notre objectif, est de soutenir les initiatives entrepreneuriales, via des services non financiers et l’appui à une structure de microfinance, afin d’améliorer les revenus et le bien-être des ménages.
Pour y parvenir, avec nos partenaires locaux, nous soutenons l’entrepreneuriat agricole à travers la réalisation de diagnostics d’entreprises, l’élaboration de plans d’accompagnement personnalisés et la mise en œuvre de ces derniers.
Nous menons également des actions de sensibilisation et d’éveil de l’esprit d’entreprise et d’appui à l’élaboration de plans d’affaires, de tenue des outils de gestion, de formations, de coaching, d’appui technique. Un monitoring du soutien technique apporté et des performances entrepreneuriales est également mené.
Par ailleurs, nous apportons un soutien financier à l’entrepreneuriat. Cela implique l’accès à des micro-crédits, ainsi qu’à une caisse d’épargne pour les entrepreneurs, mais également des actions visant l’éducation financière des agriculteurs accompagnés.

RDC
Facilitating local initiatives in the DRC
- Project duration: 2023-2026
Our objective:
To strengthen the capacities of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the DRC to promote a more inclusive and participatory democratic space. The project supports initiatives in the areas of governance, human development and sustainable development.
Our actions
- Establishment of the Local Initiative Support Service (SAIL), a resource centre for CSOs in the 26 provinces of the DRC;
- Training and support for 120 microprojects across the country;
- Funding for local microprojects up to €60,000 for a maximum duration of 12 months each;
- Support for concrete initiatives on a variety of themes:
- Peacebuilding (Western Kasai)
- Literacy and integration of young people (Kinshasa)
- Care for street children (Kinshasa)
- Detection of complications related to sickle cell anaemia (Kinshasa)
- Cultural promotion: jazz and piano festivals (Kinshasa)
- Expansion of hospital maternity wards (Kisenso)
- Economic resilience of women in mining areas (Ituri)
- Agribusiness for young people (Central Kongo)
- Food security and access to water (Kwilu)
- Urban sanitation and environmental education (Kinshasa)
- Youth engagement on climate change (North Kivu)
- Participatory land governance (South Kivu)
Our Impact:
This project helps to revitalise Congolese civil society in all provinces by promoting local initiatives. It strengthens participatory governance, improves access to fundamental rights and gives a voice to grassroots actors, particularly young people and women.

Madagascar
Our aim is to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources, particularly mangrove areas, by working to protect biodiversity, safeguard ecosystem services and promote socio-ecological resilience, with the involvement of local authorities and communities. A great deal of thought is being given to this issue within our consortium of university NGOs, Uni4Coop.
To achieve this, together with our local partners, we are working to improve the governance of mangrove areas, through advocacy in favour of these ecosystems, as well as raising local awareness of regulations.
To strengthen shared knowledge in this area, awareness-raising campaigns on ecosystem development and management plans and environmental education in schools are being set up. We also organise consultation and knowledge-sharing sessions on the proper management of ecosystems. Access to this knowledge requires the ability to read and write. Functional literacy and consciousness-raising courses are therefore offered to adults who have not had the chance to go to school.
To encourage the sustainable use of mangroves, we are working to improve the incomes and living conditions of the people living in these areas. This involves supporting sustainable economic activities that do not destroy the ecosystem, setting up and developing group savings schemes, and supporting fishermen's cooperatives. We also organise exchange visits on mangroves and open days in these areas.
Finally, to encourage the conservation and restoration of mangrove areas, we have set up a "green fund" to support local initiatives. We are also distributing a toolkit of best practices and promoting an economic model that reconciles exploitation and conservation.
Partners : FIVOI, FIAME, OPCI Alokaina, FIDEV, ALEFA MENABE, DRPEB (Direction régionale de la Pêche et de l’Economie bleue) et DREDD (Direction régionale de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable).

RDC
Promoting a Sustainable Food System
- Project duration: 2022 - 2026
Our Objective:
To promote sustainable and inclusive economic and agricultural models by working across the entire value chain. We promote agroecological practices, support entrepreneurship among young people and women, and strengthen the capacities of local partners for better natural resource management and greater socio-economic resilience.
Our Actions:
- Support for the adoption and appropriation of profitable agroecological practices adapted to local contexts;
- Strengthening the entrepreneurial skills of women and young people in innovative economic sectors;
- Literacy, particularly for women, to strengthen their autonomy and leadership;
- Professionalisation of economic activities through training and technical support;
- Promoting biodiversity conservation and the restoration of natural resources in agroecosystems;
- Close support for vulnerable young people to help them integrate into society and the labour market.
Our Impact:
This project strengthens the economic sovereignty of rural communities while preserving the environment. It promotes the empowerment of young people and women, encourages local innovation dynamics, and improves the resilience of ecosystems and populations to multiple crises.

Madagascar
Promoting inclusive fishing in the mangroves of Menabe
- Project duration: 2022–2026
Our Objective
To ensure the sustainability of fishing areas located in the mangroves of the Menabe region by preserving natural resources and meeting the socio-economic needs of local communities.
Our Actions
- Conducting in-depth studies on fishery resources, including field surveys and catch monitoring to understand exploitation dynamics and species diversity;
- Collecting and analysing data to inform local policies and strengthen sustainable management of fishing areas;
- Promoting inclusive fisheries resource management, involving local communities in decision-making and governance;
- Identifying and supporting alternative economic activities (beekeeping, market gardening, etc.) to reduce pressure on mangrove ecosystems;
- Strengthening the protection of mangrove ecosystems through strategies adapted to the socio-economic realities of fishermen and the families who depend on them.
Our Impact
This project contributes to a better understanding of fishery resources and enables the development of more sustainable and inclusive fishing practices. It supports the diversification of local communities' livelihoods and promotes the long-term preservation of mangrove ecosystems, which are essential for the region's biodiversity and climate resilience.

Madagascar
Support for a sustainable food system
- Project duration: 2022–2026
Our Objective
To improve the resilience of rural communities in the Menabe region to the effects of climate change and strengthen their economic autonomy and transition to sustainable and agroecological agriculture.
Our actions
- Technical support for agroecological production and sustainable farm management
- Support for agricultural and food diversification, with easier access to agricultural inputs
- Support for the development of commercial channels and the processing of agricultural products to increase local added value
- Promotion of agroforestry and reforestation to limit erosion and improve soil quality
- Establishment of income-generating activities for rural households
- Structuring and supporting farmers' organisations for better representation with regional and national authorities
- Raising awareness of climate change among rural communities and using the Environmental Integration Tool (OIE) to promote more resilient and sustainable agriculture
Our Impact
This project helps improve food security, economic autonomy and the resilience of farmers to drought and erosion. It promotes sustainable local agriculture and supports the structuring of farmers' organisations so that they can better defend their interests and influence local and regional decisions.

Burundi
Support for civil society active in the fields of the environment and biodiversity
- Project name: PASCALE B IBIDUKIKIJE
- Project duration: 2022 - 2026
Our Objective:
To influence public policy on the environment by strengthening civil society organisations (CSOs) for the sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity through the implementation of local, participatory and environmentally friendly projects.
Our Actions:
- Strengthening and structuring 80 organisations active in the fields of the environment and biodiversity.
- Training on natural resource management, agroforestry, ecological land use planning, sanitation, biodiversity, etc.
- Creation of networks and spaces for multi-stakeholder dialogue.
- Support and financing for 16 micro-projects led by CSOs (reforestation, restoration of flora with native species, protection of sensitive areas, improved access to drinking water, etc.).
- Advocacy with local and provincial authorities.
- Support for community management of environmental infrastructure.
- Awareness campaigns to encourage environmentally friendly practices.
Our impact:
This project enables local stakeholders to be better trained, more committed and better organised to protect their environment.
Burundi
Support for entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector
- Project name: SESA-UMWUMBATI WACU
- Project duration: 2023-2027
Our objective:
To support 9,265 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises working in the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products in the cassava sector.
Our actions:
- Production and provision of quality seeds through support for seed producers.
- Training in agroecological practices for producers, seed producers and 53 producer organisations.
- Integration of livestock farming into family farms to diversify production and facilitate access to natural fertilisers.
- Development of processing units to diversify processed products while making use of agricultural waste.
- Facilitating access to finance through banks and microfinance institutions for rural businesses.
- Functional literacy focused on rural economic activities, particularly for women and marginalised groups to strengthen their autonomy.
- Promoting human rights and decent work through awareness-raising and popular education initiatives.
- Educational activities on the environment and the green economy to encourage responsible and sustainable behaviour.
Our impact:
This project helps to sustainably strengthen the economic capacities of thousands of rural actors involved in the cassava sector, while promoting social inclusion and autonomy for the most vulnerable. Thanks to an integrated approach, it contributes to more resilient, equitable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

Bénin
Sustainable management of natural resources and mangroves
Our Objective
To ensure the protection and sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems while improving the living conditions of local communities through sustainable economic alternatives.
Our Actions
- Raising awareness among local communities about sustainable management of mangroves and natural resources.
- Training local stakeholders in regulations, waterway restoration and environmental management.
- Carrying out mangrove reforestation and maintenance activities.
- Developing sustainable economic sectors (e.g. market gardening, salt production, oyster farming, etc.) and alternative energy sources to reduce pressure on ecosystems.
- Participating in consultation frameworks and supporting mangrove governance authorities.
Our impact
This project contributes to the preservation of mangrove ecosystems, strengthens the resilience of local communities and promotes sustainable and inclusive natural resource management practices.