Cheikh Akmach
Site Coordinator

As a young man who seeks to make a positive impact in my region, I believe in the ability of youth in preserving Moroccan natural resources, and this would be possible by empowering and accompanying them until they become responsible and visionary leaders.

Since 2000, HAF’s mission has been promoting sustainable development in Morocco through agriculture, women’s empowerment, and education.

Following the same strategy, HAF is in partnership with the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). A new project will be implemented in the Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region titled “Institutionalizing Participatory Governance the Dakhla Oued Ed Dahab region, which will work with  150 participants from civil society and government in the area to benefit from a series of training workshops that will improve their ability to design social, economic, and environmental projects that respond to local community needs.

The team responsible for this project assembled on the 4th of November, 2022, to attend the 6th Edition of the International Forum for Small Enterprises. This event was marked by the presence of many key players in the region and other national institutions.

Hana Ezaoui discussed the HAF project with Mr. Consul of the Union of Comoros

The event comes as a continuation of the country’s strategy of supporting and pushing people to become entrepreneurs by offering various initiatives like Mobadara and Forsa.

Having received an official invitation from the event organizers. We attended this forum as one of our initial partnership-building steps in the city. Our goal is to build a network with the region’s civil society associations, and this event was a highly supportive beginning in this regard.

Our Project Manager asked questions to the speakers’ panel in the evening; she introduced HAF with conviction and great belief before asking her question, which led us to get many contacts who simply got interested in our projects and like to know more about it just because of the persuasive way our project manager talks.

The HAF Team in Dakhla attended the International Forum of the TPE

We have gotten to exchange business cards with civil associations that are focused on different domains. Some pursue sustainable community development, some focus on economic initiatives and entrepreneurship, and others are dedicated projects owned by women’s groups.

Surely, with such a noble mission handed to us, we are working to adapt to this new environment and to embrace cultural diversity.

Finally, I think that this is a good first step for us because the name High Atlas Foundation rolled like thunder in this forum. We have gained momentum that will propel us forward. I feel that this forum gave us a great opportunity to see closely how much the project we work on – participatory governance – is needed in the region.

Participatory governance is all about local communities and sectors working together for the betterment of us all. If we want to make the project a success, we need to start with this inclusive and an integrated and welcoming mindset.