School Activism, Cotonou session

This workshop, based on the collective intelligence and experience of African social movements, aims to build lasting solidarity between activists to promote an open civic space and inclusive development. The development of a roadmap for 2026-2027 will ensure the sustainability of the commitments made during this first session of the School of Activism. Each stage of the workshop should make it possible to produce
deliverables for the three-year roadmap.

24 March 205
Day of arrival of participants

7.30 pm: Welcome dinner – welcome address by the Foundation’s Director.

Day 1: Launch and framing of the workshop

8.30am – 9.30am : Welcome and introduction of participants

● Round table and interactive ice-breaker
● Objectives – expectations of the workshop – rules – appointment of rapporteurs
● Gathering mechanism: Expectation cards (each participant writes his or her expectations on a card, display and discussion)
on a card, display and discussion)

9.30am – 10.30am | Introduction to the dynamics of social and political struggles in Africa

● Presentation of the current landscape of social and political mobilisation
● Identification of the major issues: democracy, fundamental freedoms, social justice, etc. justice
● Collection mechanism: summary table of issues

10.30am – 10.45am | Coffee break
10.45am – 1.00pm | Round table: Current state of citizen engagement and future prospects

● Presentations by activists and CSOs/Movements on the progress and challenges of social social movements
● Participatory debate / Presentation of innovative campaigns

13h00 – 14h00 | Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 | Mapping of struggles and possible alliances

● Group work: analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various movements

● Synthesis and discussion in plenary
● Collection mechanism: visual mapping of struggles and alliances (paper)

16.00 – 17.00 | Closure and outlook for the day

● Restitution of reflections and opening to the next day

19h00 – 21h00 | Group dinner
21:00 – 23:00 | Educational evening – sharing experiences, leading discussions.

Day 2: Organisational strategies and pooling of resources

8.30am – 9am | Summary of the previous day (Rapporteurs)
9.00am – 10.30am | Collective intelligence and new forms of solidarity

● Interactive workshop on networking and cooperation
● Presentation of successful examples of mutualisation
● Collection mechanism: Mapping of available skills and resources

10.30am – 10.45am | Coffee break
10.45am – 12.30pm | Panel: Experiences and lessons from historical and contemporary and contemporary movements

● Presentation of the movements (y’en a marre, balai citoyen and lucha)
● Discussion on lessons learned and their adaptation to current contexts
● Collection mechanism: Identification of good practices and obstacles

12:30 – 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 | Co-creation workshops: Strengthening synergies and maximising collective efforts

● Work in sub-groups : Strategies for coordination and collective action
● Synthesis and presentation of recommendations
● Collection mechanism: formal recommendations and priority actions

16:00 – 17:00 | Summing up of the day.
19:00-21:00 | Group dinner
21:00-23:00 | Educational evening – experience sharing, debate facilitation.

Day 3: Technology and civic engagement

8.30am – 9am | Summary of previous days’ discussions (Rapporteurs)
9.00am – 10.30am | Challenges and opportunities of e-activism in Africa

● Interactive discussion : Challenges and opportunities: OSINT, fact-checking and digital campaigns for effective activism
● Group work: Advocacy design
● Collection mechanism: Collaborative drafting of strategic messages

10.30am – 10.45am | Coffee break
10.45 – 13.00 | Organisational governance, accountability and transparency

● Presentation of experiences and participative discussions
● Group exercises: developing tools and methods to strengthen the accountability of organisations.
● Collection mechanism: identification of relevant tools

13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 – 16:00 | Drawing up a roadmap for 2026 and 2027

● Co-creation workshop and presentation of proposals
● Collection mechanism: Consolidation of priorities and commitment of participants

16:00 – 19:00 | Visit to a historic site in Cotonou
19:300 – 22:00 | Dinner and commitments for the future

Post-workshop follow-up :
● Final drafting of the roadmap (compilation and synthesis of the data collected)
● Collaboration platform (Setting up a space for exchange and follow-up)
● Follow-up meeting (3 months after the workshop to assess the progress of the commitments)