Between 2003 and 2018, the DRC has experienced an average economic growth of 5%, which was mainly driven by the Katangese copper and cobalt sector, accounting for more than 80% of the country’s export earnings. It is well known, however, that this growth has not trickled down to the majority of the population. Despite being the engine for the country’s growth, poverty and inequality remain high in the Katangese Copperbelt Area (KCA). The population faces many challenges related to food safety and food security, health and environmental pollution, poor governance and physical insecurity. Moreover, the exploitation of mineral resources (in large-scale and small-scale operations) has severe consequences for the sustainable management of natural resources.
By providing adequate training and building stronger multi-disciplinary research capacities, the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU), together with the local stakeholders, could make a significant contribution towards improving the situation, but lack of public funding has so far prevented UNILU from fully taking up this role. VLIR-UOS, the Flemish Interuniversity Council for Development Cooperation, offers funding for longterm Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) projects. Through adequate training, the creation of specialized Master programmes and an Environmental Observatory (within which existing specialized research centres will be integrated and others will be created), the enhancement of a critical mass of research leadership via PhD-qualified researchers, service to society and professionalization of the bachelor cycle, this IUC partnership will co-design and improve, by 2032, an interdisciplinary socio-ecological framework regarding biodiversity and climate change, environment, urbanization, health, governance, security, entrepreneurship, agro-pastoral sector and communities’ productivity and job training.