Mourafaka Program: Focus Groups in Laâyoune, Benimellal, Casablanca, and Fès
  • By odco
  • October 22, 2024
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Mourafaka Program: Focus Groups in Laâyoune, Benimellal, Casablanca, and Fès

Focus Groups: A Key Step for the Second Phase of the Fourth Stage of the Mourafaka Program

As part of the second phase of the fourth stage of the Mourafaka Program, focus groups were organized across several regions of the Kingdom, including Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Casablanca-Settat, and Fes-Meknès. These workshops, held in partnership with the Social Innovation Lab at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), mark a significant step in supporting cooperatives in these regions on their development journey.

The focus groups aim to co-create a training and support program tailored to the specific needs of local cooperatives. By directly involving cooperative actors in the decision-making process, Mourafaka embraces a participatory approach that places beneficiaries at the center of developing their own skills. The workshops allow cooperatives to discuss the challenges they face, share their successes, and express their expectations for future stages.

Program Overview:
The Mourafaka Program is a national initiative aimed at supporting newly established Moroccan cooperatives in strengthening their technical and managerial capabilities. The four-year program plans to assist 2,000 cooperatives, or 500 annually, by providing training services, personalized support, and access to financing. Mourafaka emphasizes cooperative autonomy, innovation, social inclusion, and sustainable development, while also promoting local resources and key economic sectors.

Program Components:

– Strategic Diagnosis: A thorough analysis of each cooperative’s needs regarding training, technical assistance, and production, which helps to develop tailored development plans.
Group Training: Strengthening managerial and business skills through training sessions across various regions. Topics include governance, financial management, communication, and marketing techniques.
– Individual Support: Personalized follow-up over two years, including 12 sessions focused on implementing each cooperative’s development plan to ensure autonomous and sustainable management.

Eligibility Criteria:

The program targets cooperatives legally established for less than four years with at least one year of activity. They must present economically viable and socially responsible projects. Selection criteria include:

Mourafaka also considers key factors like innovation, a territorial approach, gender equality, and alignment with other national and environmental initiatives.