MBLA Morocco

We’re proud that MBLA’s decade-long work addressing the impact of climate change on local agriculture and biodiversity in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Equator Prize. This milestone was made possible thanks to our dedicated team, the local communities working alongside us, and the partners and funders who believe in our mission. We pledge to continue protecting biodiversity and strengthening rural economies through various initiatives, such as managing community seed banks and plant nurseries that preserve over 500 seed varieties. Our work also supports local farmers through seed exchange networks, agroecological training, and empowers community members through rural entrepreneurship programs, local product markets, and environmental education in schools! ⛰🌱

Appel à Candidature – Coordinateur·rice des Programmes de Relèvement Post-Séisme et de Soutien à l’Économie Rurale, Verte et Inclusive ⤵ Engagés dans la protection des écosystèmes et le développement durable des économies rurales dans les montagnes de l'Atlas marocain, nous sommes à la recherche d’un(e) coordinateur·rice pour superviser les initiatives de relèvement post-séisme et renforcer une économie verte, inclusive et résiliente dans le Haut Atlas. Pour plus de détails sur l'offre, consultez ce lien: https://bit.ly/4hlpu6N Date limite de candidature : 5 novembre 2024 Date de commencement : 10 novembre 2024

The 9th edition of the High Atlas Food Market is just days away! Held at the Culinary Arts Museum, this special event is dedicated to uniting communities, promoting sustainability, and uplifting rural cooperatives affected by the earthquake. Over two days of cultural exchange, visitors will discover the fascinating stories behind local products and meet the entrepreneurs driving rural innovation, shedding light on the great potential of sustainable agriculture in the Atlas. 📍On 26-27 October, at the Culinary Arts Museum in the Old Medina, from 11h to 19h.

Dr. M. Sou Soufiane, Regional Representative for North Africa, and Najwa Es-Siari, Regional Coordinator for North Africa, from our team have landed this weekend in Bogotá, Colombia, for the annual in-person gathering of the ICCA Consortium, which took place from October 16 to 18, 2024. The ICCA Consortium is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the proper recognition and support of Indigenous Peoples’ and community-conserved territories and areas (ICCAs—territories of life) at local, national, and international levels.

Two weeks ago, our Field Agronomist and Agroecology Program Lead, Omar Saadani Hassani, along with our Digital Communications Lead, Ibtissam Bouseta, participated in the six-day doctoral school titled "Transdisciplinary Approaches as Pathways to Sustainability." The event, held at the Zerkten Educational Center, was the result of a collaboration between IRD France, Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakesh, Université Hassan II of Casablanca, and MBLA Morocco. Our team members shared their expertise with the doctoral students, leading workshops on "Interactions between science and society" and "Using social media for science dissemination.

Two days ago, we launched the Anbdou competition for rural entrepreneurs in the Al Haouz region. Participants were carefully selected based on a set of criteria and will receive training over the next eight months to help them develop their projects. By June 2025, they will be prepared to pitch their project ideas to our competition committee, for the opportunity to secure funding to support their ventures. This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to uplift the communities affected by the earthquake that struck the Atlas Mountains over a year ago, leaving lives and livelihoods disrupted to this day. Many residents are still living in tents, and the severely damaged roads continue to hinder the success of eco-tourism projects.

Over the past four months, we have facilitated a series of entrepreneurial workshops in multiple villages across the Atlas Mountains, primarily in areas affected by the earthquake. Four months into the year-long program, we have already connected with 258 community members, including aspiring rural entrepreneurs, individuals whose projects have faced significant challenges due to the devastating earthquake, and active cooperatives seeking to strengthen their skills and expand their operations. Two of our workshops, conducted in Ijoukak and Anbdour, were organized in collaboration with IECD, while those in Tizi and Achbarou, which focused primarily on women's capacity building, were conducted in partnership with Caritas Maroc. FR ⬇️ Au cours des quatre derniers mois, nous avons animé une série d'ateliers entrepreneuriaux dans plusieurs villages des montagnes de l'Atlas, principalement dans les zones touchées par le tremblement de terre. À mi-parcours de notre programme d'un an, nous avons déjà établi des liens avec 258 membres de la communauté, dont des futurs entrepreneurs ruraux, des personnes dont les projets ont été gravement affectés par le tremblement de terre, ainsi que des coopératives cherchant à renforcer leurs compétences et à développer leurs activités. Deux de nos ateliers, organisés à Ijoukak et Anbdour, ont été réalisés en collaboration avec l'IECD, tandis que ceux de Tizi et Achbarou, axés principalement sur le renforcement des capacités des femmes, ont été menés en partenariat avec Caritas Maroc.

📢 The #EquatorPrize Award Ceremony is almost here! 📢 Mark your calendars for Oct. 3 at 3 pm (Morocco time), when the 2024 winners—Indigenous peoples and local communities offering innovative solutions for a climate-positive future—will be honored and celebrated. As recipients of the Equator Prize, we are deeply honored to share the stage with inspiring leaders working to protect biodiversity, combat climate change, and promote sustainable development. This recognition underscores our commitment to merging cultural preservation with scientific innovation in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.🌱 Join us live to celebrate at www.natureforlifehub.org FR 🔽 📢 La cérémonie de remise du #PrixÉquateur approche à grands pas ! 📢 Notez dans vos calendriers le 3 octobre à 15h pour célébrer les gagnants 2024—des peuples autochtones et des communautés locales qui proposent des solutions innovantes pour un avenir respectueux du climat. En tant que gagnants du Prix Équateur, nous sommes profondément honorés de partager cette reconnaissance avec des leaders inspirants qui œuvrent pour la protection de la biodiversité, la lutte contre le changement climatique et la promotion du développement durable. Cette distinction met en lumière notre engagement à allier la préservation culturelle à l'innovation scientifique dans les montagnes du Haut Atlas au Maroc. 🌱 Rejoignez-nous en direct pour célébrer sur www.natureforlifehub.org

🌍 Just one week left to secure your spot at the Nature for Life Hub! As we face unprecedented challenges to our planet's biodiversity, it's more important than ever to take action. Join us from 30 September to 3 October for the #NatureForLife Hub 2024, co-hosted by UNDP, UN Biodiversity , and UN Environment Programme. 💡 Learn from leading experts. 🌱 Explore groundbreaking solutions. 🌐 Be inspired to take action and make a difference. Register now: https://lnkd.in/djnNZt3a #NatureForLife

As part of our post-earthquake efforts to support the rebuilding of the Atlas communities, our recent focus has been on acquiring funds for projects aimed at reconstructing damaged water infrastructure to alleviate water challenges in numerous villages in the Imegdal commune. The first completed project was the construction of a water reservoir and a connected 130-meter-deep well, with a capacity of 30 cubic meters, providing accessible drinking water to 80 families. We have also recently finished rebuilding two damaged irrigation canals (seguias), with a combined length of 160 meters, restoring the traditional practice of water distribution to agricultural plots in three villages—Awrigh, Tiniskt, and Ighrem—benefiting a total of 126 families. Our upcoming project in the area will focus on restoring a water basin with a capacity of 200 cubic meters, currently serving four villages—Warti, Wasentout, Taourirt, and Annamer—and benefiting 206 families.