A new agreement between the Ministry and the Follereau Luxembourg Foundation to improve children’s health and protection
Luxembourg, 27 February 2026 – To mark International NGO Day, the Follereau Luxembourg Foundation (FFL) signed a new framework funding agreement with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Cooperation and Foreign Trade (MAE), in the presence of the Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action, Mr Xavier Bettel. This renewed trust will enable the foundation to continue its work in five African countries from 2026 to 2030.
60 years of commitment to helping the most vulnerable
The year 2026 will also mark the 60th anniversary of the Follereau Foundation’s work. Six decades of humanitarian work dedicated to the inclusion and empowerment of the most vulnerable communities. This long-standing commitment gives the FFL solid experience in ensuring that support, whether public or from private donations, reaches beneficiaries directly. Over the years, the FFL has built a network of trust with local partners who identify and implement projects on the ground, guaranteeing the reliability and effectiveness of the actions undertaken. Whether building a maternity ward in Benin or screening for neglected tropical diseases in Guinea or the Central African Republic, beneficiary communities are at the heart of our concerns and are involved in every project to ensure its sustainability.
Tangible results for 2026–2030
Over the next five years, the FFL will continue to provide support in its three areas of expertise: improving community health, vocational training and child protection, adopting a cross-cutting approach that integrates environmental, gender and human rights issues. By 2030, the Foundation’s support will enable the construction of 16 new health centres in Benin and Togo, 13 water supply facilities to improve access to drinking water in rural areas, and will also help to inform and raise awareness among thousands of people so that they can better understand the issues affecting their health. In Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, hundreds of young people in difficulty will be trained in promising trades, and more than 650 child victims of trafficking will be cared for and supported with a view to reintegration into education or vocational training. Three new training centres will also be established. In addition, five new market gardening sites will be developed and 1,000 agricultural workers will be trained and integrated into an entrepreneurial coaching programme. These are all concrete results, aimed at sustainably strengthening local capacities and offering prospects for the future to younger generations.
A shared responsibility
In 2026, it is no longer acceptable for a mother to lose her baby because she lacks access to a maternity ward, or for a child to grow up on the streets, subjected to all manner of violence. In a world plagued by extremes and indifference, showing solidarity and caring for one another seems essential if we are to make a difference, each in our own way.
The Foundation is extremely grateful for the support received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and would like to thank it warmly for its ongoing commitment. The framework agreement provides for funding of €15 million over five years, covering between 60% and 80% of the costs of the projects concerned. The involvement of the general public in Luxembourg therefore remains essential to complement this support and achieve the set objectives. Raoul Follereau was convinced that one can only be happy by bringing happiness to others. It does indeed seem essential to move forward together to bring about real and lasting change.