Multicultural Partners Planting Trees in Africa

Since its establishment in 2000, the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) has witnessed continuous growth and success in promoting sustainable development projects.  By  instilling the values of afforestation and passing it on across generations, engaging in the continuity of the initiatives carried out, and adopting a participatory approach that encourages the introduction of new models for sustainable development, HAF works in partnership with a number of institutions, companies, cooperatives, and associations in order to establish an environmentally-aware culture and encourage economic empowerment.

With this mission in mind, HAF’s Director of Projects, Amina, and HAF Program Coordinator, Safae, recently took part in a tree planting initiative with HAF partner Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy as a part of the season of planting trees in Morocco.  Siemens Gamesa team members Noureddin, Youssef, and Farid joined HAF. Representatives from Association Cape City Youth for the Environment also joined them for this initiative. 

On February 8, 2021, these three entities gathered to plant a total of 800 fruit trees in Oussen, a village located in the Sidi Kaouki commune of the Essaouira province. This grand event took place as part of Siemens Gamesa’s initiative known as "The Social Solidarity Project to Reduce the Negative Effects of the Covid-19 Virus," which has resulted in a number of development projects in a number of regions of the Kingdom.

The February tree planting activity began with a meeting with representatives of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and members of the local association at the association’s headquarters. During this meeting, they discussed potential development projects for the region, its natural wealth, and its tourist qualifications. After the meeting, the attendees moved to a field in order to plant seedlings, learn the correct method of planting, and identify the necessary tools for successfully planting fruit trees according to their type. Some key points they learned were how to measure out the safe distance between trees to ensure their survival and how to test the quality of the soil.

After each of the representatives of Siemens Gamesa and the High Atlas Foundation spoke about the importance of planting trees, both in terms of economy  and environment, the president of Association Cape City Youth Society for the Environment, Mr. Youssef, declared his admiration for the initiative. Mrs. Rashida, the president of the women's association in the area, added that this gesture showed them the importance of planting trees in the long run, as it has inspired thinking about establishing a cooperative for fruit trees, particularly olives and Argan, especially since the land is fertile and vital.

Also, Mr. Noureddine said that the tourist sites that abound in the region, whose inhabitants depend mostly on marine fishing, will help in its development if an agricultural cooperative is established, and the culture of agriculture is established among the local population and between future generations. Mrs. Amina talked about the correct way to plant trees, the distance between two trees, the natural and tourist paths of the area and their role in developing them.

This is not the first time the two organizations have collaborated to help marginalized communities during the pandemic. In fact, HAF and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy have worked together on many other initiatives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to distribute food and hygienic supplies to communities in need.

HAF is grateful for its partnership with organizations such as Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. Their support helps maintain our 12 community-managed fruit tree nurseries and plant trees with farming families to increase financial independence in marginalized communities.

The High Atlas Foundation together with GermanWatch and the steering committee of the Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Project (MSP) have been carrying out their work on the decentralization of renewable energies in order to ensure the promotion and the continuity of this purpose-driven approach which is fueling an important transformation in the energy sector.

The general assembly of the Moroccan Platform of the Decentralization of Renewable Energies (La Plateforme Marocaine de Décentralisation des Énergies Renouvelables – PMDER), held on March 26 and 27, 2021, provides ample evidence of the on-going efforts made by the HAF and other policymakers in this respect. The assembly’s vision is to influence decision-makers to promote effective decentralization policies of renewable energies in Morocco through the democratization of access to energy. It was an opportunity to shed light on the positive impact that alternative measures, as opposed to state-owned utilities and large energy providers, have on the environment as well as the local economy in the long run. 

HAF President Dr. Yossef began the event with an introduction to the nursery, its history, and its leading role as proof of cultural co-existence and partnership as well as a community-led project that provides support and opportunities for the locals. Imane, HAF Programs Director, introduced the participants to PMDER. Moulay Hassan, HAF Country Director showed gratitude toward the partners who contributed to the success of the nursery of Akrich. Hajiba, HAF’s Program Coordinator, provided a perspective of how the solar irrigation system benefited the nursery and also contributed to the initiatives of renewable energies as a way to fight climate change.

The participants in the general assembly had the opportunity to make a field visit to learn more about the eco-friendly solar-powered irrigation system in HAF’s nursery in Akrich. The system was donated by the National Federation of Electricity, Electronics and Renewable Energies (FENELEC) and was inaugurated at a ceremony that was held at the end of February. During the field visit, the general assembly participants were guided by Abderrahim, the nursery caretaker in Akrich, who discussed the positive impact that the solar energy system has on the nursery, particularly how it has already lowered the electricity bill by 75% in its first month of usage. The use of solar energy to pump water from the nursery well has also minimized the quantity of water that is wasted since only what is needed is drawn.

The members of the steering committee of MSP had also the chance to visit another HAF nursery located in Tassa Ouirgane. This nursery is 100% managed by young women from the same region who are part of the Takhrkhourt Cooperative. This nursery has provided the opportunity for the women of the cooperative to advocate and act on their needs and goals. It is also a source of income that has helped them to start living an independent life, aiming to create agents of change who are capable of taking action and making life-changing decisions that will later reduce obstacles for women and acknowledge that they are a firm pillar of society. 

The general assembly of PMDER was a fortuitous opportunity to bring together professionals and experts in the field. The first day, which concluded with a round table discussion, addressed potential challenges and areas for improvement. This meeting stressed the importance of decentralized renewable energies in meeting the needs of the local population of Tassa Ouirgane in particular and rural Moroccan communities at-large.

There were three main takeaways from this gathering. The first is that stakeholders must adopt an inclusive decision-making approach that actively involves all those who would be directly affected by the outcome of the decision. Second, the ideas related to decentralized renewable energies must be simplified so that they may be more easily understood by all the parties and communities. Finally, measures must be taken to prevent any potential technical problems that might arise, such as the overheating of solar panel batteries and the development of effective strategies to better maintain energy-related equipment in the long run.  

Help HAF make these goals a reality and bring renewable energy to communities across Morocco by making a gift on our website or GlobalGiving Page.