UPA International Development (UPA DI)
UPA International Development (UPA DI) is an international development organization affiliated with the Union of Agricultural Producers (UPA) of Quebec. It focuses on developing family agricultural entrepreneurship as a sustainable model that balances economic, ecological, individual, and collective interests. Its support is primarily directed toward democratic professional agricultural organizations (PAOs) and the structuring of the agricultural and agri-food sector in the regions where it operates. UPA DI is active in around fifteen countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Get Involved
Through its Réseau Agro-Innov, UPA Développement International offers volunteer and peer-to-peer cooperation opportunities. With your involvement, we can facilitate the sharing of knowledge and innovations with agricultural organizations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Supporting Family Farming, One Mission at a Time
Our volunteer cooperation assignments focus on the following areas: collective marketing, production techniques, agro-environment, organizational life, administration and finance, communications, animal health, economic services, gender equality, youth inclusion, and more.
Share Your Experience and See the World
Our assignments are primarily short-term and available year-round. International travel, vaccines, and emergency insurance are covered. Daily allowances are provided to cover accommodation and meals. A 2-day pre-departure training (in Longueuil) is offered, along with assignment follow-up by a project officer. A safety protocol is in place for all volunteers.
Stay Updated on Our Cooperation Opportunities
UPADI’s Réseau Agro-Innov aims to strengthen the performance of 30 partner agricultural organizations and the agricultural entrepreneurs who make them up, living in rural areas, particularly women and youth. We support the development of sustainable and inclusive family farming.
To achieve this, we leverage the knowledge, skills, and expertise of qualified Quebecers through North-South, South-North, South-South, and virtual placements. Our volunteers support partner agricultural organizations so they can offer more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive services to their members.
The strength of our program lies in connecting people from the land i.e., individuals who speak the same language, that of agriculture and agri-food. Volunteer entrepreneurs and advisors provide support in the form of training, advisory services, technical assistance, and also support projects and initiatives aimed at producing studies and tools based on the needs expressed by the community.
Our Journey
Our Impact in Action
Les Agricultrices du Québec (AQ) carry out missions in Tunisia to strengthen the capacities of local agri-food processors. This project focuses on sharing experiences in governance and rural women’s entrepreneurship.
Meet six Quebec agricultural entrepreneurs who traveled to Tunisia to carry out capacity-building assignments as part of the Project for the Structuring of Economic and Environmental Services for Tunisian Agri-Food Processors (PSSEETAT):
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
Our achievements since 2020:
- 440 cooperation assignments
- 24,200 volunteer days completed
- 5 editions of Viens marcher ma terre (South-North): YouTube LINK
- 65,000 people supported, 50% of whom are women
- 20,000 people benefiting from new economic services
- 8 agro-environment projects supported
- 9 women’s entrepreneurship projects supported
- 5% increase in the number of women represented in decision-making bodies
VOICES OF COMMITMENT
Name of VCO
I am always very grateful to see well-designed projects that take into account the potential of the regions in order to ensure strong local ownership and long-term sustainability.
The social aspect, the economic dimension and the time scale all go hand in hand to create sustainable development. The science of life is the same for everyone, but education can sometimes take a little longer to travel. The roads are sometimes winding… but the work done by UPA Développement International and the CELCCAR cooperative is remarkable !
Frédérick Boutin, volunteer in Bolivia
Duration
Duration
Expertises
Expertises
Name of VCO
As part of my role as a gender equality volunteer, I worked closely with Gender Model Families (GMFs) to identify and define realistic and measurable objectives. Through the implementation of action plans, we aim to influence family dynamics so they become more equitable and foster a harmonious living environment, while supporting women’s empowerment within the household and the community.
Marie-Soleil Sturm-Aubert, volunteer in Tunisia
Duration
Duration
Expertises
Expertises