Across Morocco’s valleys, villages, and rural landscapes, men and women are coming together to reshape the concept of solidarity-based economy. As the world marks International Day of Cooperatives on July 5 and prepares for the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives, the OCP Foundation is shining a spotlight on the collective movements that are transforming local communities. For over a decade, the Foundation has been supporting these grassroots efforts, driven by the belief that cooperation can be a powerful force for empowerment, resilience, and sustainable development.
By making social and solidarity-based economy the core of its mission, the Foundation has developed a hands-on, community-driven approach. Every initiative begins with listening to the needs of the people on the ground. Participatory assessments, design thinking workshops, digital marketing strategies, governance training, and mentorship programs are just some of the tools used to help cooperatives grow in strength and independence. Each project is carefully built as a collaborative, step-by-step journey shaped by the people it serves.
To boost cooperative entrepreneurship, the BootCoop program guides cooperatives through every stage of their development—from initial structure to growth—offering a mix of training, mentoring, and expert advice to help these organizations become more robust. In the same spirit, the CoopStore network opens new market opportunities by connecting cooperatives with partners, helping to showcase and promote local products.
Training is another cornerstone of this effort. The Foundation invests in building the skills of trainers themselves, offering certifications on specialized tools designed to help cooperatives thrive. In partnership with the International Labour Organization, training sessions have prepared a new generation of experts capable of sharing best practices with cooperatives across the region. A strong emphasis is also placed on gender inclusion. Through the GET Ahead program, women in cooperative businesses receive tailored support and entrepreneurship training to help them succeed.
More than 200 cooperatives have already received customized assistance through the Mourafaka program, helping them gain autonomy and accelerate their growth. Additional initiatives like the Lalla Moutaouina Prize and the Generations Solidaires project reward and nurture high-impact social enterprises, giving them the visibility and support they need to endure and expand.
The Foundation’s reach doesn’t stop at Morocco’s borders. True to a spirit of South-South cooperation, its programs extend to nine countries including Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Guinea, Cape Verde, and as far as India. Each project is tailored to local realities, whether it’s building agricultural value chains, conserving biodiversity, or supporting women entrepreneurs.
In Morocco alone, more than 900 cooperatives—representing over 9,000 members, the majority of whom are women—have already benefited from this commitment. The Foundation draws on a wide range of expertise and embraces social innovation to continuously improve its models and impact.
At its heart, this human-centered movement reflects a vision of an economy that is more inclusive, more collaborative, and better equipped to face future challenges.
