On November 14 and 15, 2024, the Office of Cooperation Development  (ODCO), represented by Mrs. Hayat Zouhir, Head of the Marketing Support Service for Cooperative Products, participated in the international symposium organized by the National School of Commerce and Management (ENCG) of Oujda.

The event, held at the Faculty of Medicine, focused on the theme: “Social and Solidarity Economy, Innovation, Territories: What Combination for Inclusive and Sustainable Development?”

Mrs. Zouhir contributed to the discussions alongside representatives from government sectors, scientific research institutions, Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) organizations, researchers, and experts. The symposium also welcomed delegations from African and European countries, highlighting its international character.

In her speech titled “The Contribution of Women’s Cooperatives to the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women,” Mrs. Zouhir emphasized the role of women’s cooperatives in improving living conditions, providing economic independence, and promoting local development. She shared concrete examples of how these structures value local know-how while promoting social inclusion.

Recommendations from the Symposium

The discussions resulted in several strategic recommendations, aligned with the objectives of Morocco’s new development model:

1. Institutionalize convergence between government actors, the private sector, and the components of SSE for a coherent and sustainable collaboration.
2. Adapt the legal framework to stimulate investment and entrepreneurship in SSE.
3. Support and innovate in SSE, especially through mechanisms that encourage research and development.
4. Strengthen the role of universities and scientific institutions in applied research related to SSE.
5. Improve funding opportunities by creating diversified and tailored mechanisms that take into account spatial and sectoral specifics.
6. Develop tools to valorize the performance of SSE organizations to facilitate product commercialization and encourage consumption at local, regional, national, and international levels.
7. Strengthen the environmental impact of SSE by supporting the preservation of natural resources.
8. Accelerate the establishment of a National SSE Observatory, aimed at producing macroeconomic indicators and assessing the impact of SSE.
9. Enhance human resource capacities within SSE institutions, particularly in entrepreneurship.
10. Valorize best practices and promote the principles and values of SSE.

A Commitment to an Inclusive and Sustainable Future

ODCO’s participation reflects its commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, with a particular focus on gender equality. This forum also highlighted the need to strengthen SSE as a lever for social and economic transformation both in Morocco and beyond.