A BRIEF DIVE INTO OUR ON-GOING PROJECTS
Ensuring the socio-ecological viability of High Atlas cultural landscapes
This project is funded by the Darwin Initiative.
This project aims to improve the conservation of biodiversity and cultural landscapes, as well as increase household revenue, through sustainable value chain development in the High Atlas production landscapes. The project involves 200 cooperatives comprising 5000 households in seven regional hubs. The specific objectives include the establishment of community plant nurseries, plant distribution of wild-harvested native species, seed exchange, irrigation and soil fertility enhancement, and support for transhumant pastoralists. In addition, the project aims to expand certification and labeling for High Atlas cultural landscape products, improve packaging and visual identity for cooperatives, and provide business training and mentorship for rural entrepreneurs. The project also aims to promote digital entrepreneurship and platforms to increase revenue from cultural landscape goods and services. The ultimate goal is to create long-term revenue improvements through improved local product commercialization while optimizing agro-pastoral activities that regenerate cultural landscapes and conserve biodiversity.
Heritage valorization, tourism, and strengthening of governance
Case of the Oukaïmeden APAC
This project is funded by The GEF Small Grants Programme/UNDP and Darwin Initiative.
This project aims to contribute to the sustainable management of Agdal Oukaïmeden and its recognition as community heritage. The initiative has three specific objectives: consolidating the governance and sustainable management processes initiated in the previous support to the APAC of the High Atlas; supporting sustainable livelihood initiatives of the Agdal Oukaimeden’s managing communities in response to climate change and the pandemic’s impact; and producing knowledge and disseminating the project’s innovations to the communities of neighboring areas and beyond.
The project results include the revitalization of the Ourika/Rheraya intertribal committee, the evaluation of the resilience and security of the three supported APAC, the creation of the High Atlas APAC network, and the establishment of an ecotourism product centered on Agdal N’Sidi Fars and transhumance practices. The initiative also aims to promote respect for the lifestyles of transhumant communities, their maintenance, and appropriate support through active community participation.
Setting up an educational garden for 400 schoolchildren in rural Morocco
This project is funded by the Darwin Initiative.
Aiming to encourage sustainable practices and local biodiversity conservation, this project combines traditional land and resource use practices with innovative approaches to bring environmental education to over 400 schoolchildren from 50 villages each year.
The agroecological school garden and environmental education program MBLA is setting up at the Zerkten Educational Center will provide a green space where children can learn about local biodiversity and the importance of its conservation for future generations. Through garden workshops, students will learn tools and techniques for sustainable practices related to local medicinal and aromatic plants, seed conservation, water management, horticulture, and food cultivation. The initiative also aims to create a space for intergenerational exchanges by re-engaging with traditional plant knowledge and cultural land use practices. The organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs cultivated by the students will be used to prepare healthy school meals, contributing to the autonomy of the center. Overall, the educational garden aims to inspire youth in Zerkten to consider green entrepreneurship and other business initiatives, encourage new generations to invest in the region, and decrease rural exodus rates
Organic legume breeding for establishing seed diversity and use for small scale farming
This project is funded by The GEF Small Grants Programme/UNDP and Darwin Initiative.
The project results include the revitalization of the Ourika/Rheraya intertribal committee, the evaluation of the resilience and security of the three supported APAC, the creation of the High Atlas APAC network, and the establishment of an ecotourism product centered on Agdal N’Sidi Fars and transhumance practices. The initiative also aims to promote respect for the lifestyles of transhumant communities, their maintenance, and appropriate support through active community participation.
Restoration of forest ecosystems in the cultural landscapes of the Ahansal-Melloul Tamga River
This project is funded by the Audemars-Watkins Foundation.
Seeking to develop sustainable forest management models at the Oued Ahansal-Melloul and Tamga sites, this project has ambitious plans for creating models that can be replicated throughout the High Atlas chain and beyond, and revolves around four key objectives to achieve these ambitious goals. These objectives include promoting community-based regenerative approaches, strengthening the capacity of local institutions to lead certification processes, supporting sustainable value chains and labeling of products, and facilitating scaling up through good communication and dissemination of responsible forest management practices.
The project activities will be organized around three components: conservation and restoration; capacity building and engagement in responsible forest management certification processes; and commercialization of local products. The key to succeeding in this project is a profound implementation of our participatory approach, which involves working closely with local communities and relevant stakeholders.
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