Localize Access to Renewable Energies in Morocco

The High Atlas Foundation (HAF), and particularly Project Manager Mustapha, assisted a pilot project with the Lkdirat community in the El Youssoufia province. The village of Lkdirat is just a couple of hours’ drive north-west of Marrakech. The first stages of this project included workshops and support by HAF for socioeconomic and environmental enhancement.

Following the early stages of the community’s well-digging and receiving the first trees, I got to visit them in early December of 2021. During this visit, the main objective was to get to know the individual residents and especially to familiarize us with the women of the local cooperative and their work, initiated by HAF as well. Simultaneously, the women participated in an Imagine empowerment workshop facilitated by HAF’s Program Manager Laaribi. 

In January, the pilot project completed a significant aspect of the process: the construction of the solar panels, which provide the necessary renewable energy source needed for water distribution to the village, school, and recently installed tree nursery. One month later, the community with Mr. Tarhbaloute oversaw the construction of another solar panel array for the nearby Al Joulane school, which now helps provide toilet services and clean drinking water, and allows the children to start planting trees on the school property.

Concluding this environmentally friendly project, HAF hosted a final multi-stakeholder workshop to celebrate the completion together with partner Germanwatch’s representatives, the local community, and invitees from various sectors of regional, national, and international levels. This event was a full-out, traditionally Moroccan-inspired one. Starting with a hearty welcome, the village’s women sang Darija chants, whilst traditionally clothed men on horses accompanied the warmly welcoming farming families and villagers, as they danced to the rhythmic melodies. 

HAF President Dr. Ben-Meir, multiple invitees, and a representative from the women’s cooperative all held brief but emotional and informative speeches, followed by a Moroccan-style lunch feast. The final activity in the village happened at the newly finished tree nursery part for everyone to see the significant accomplishments HAF and its partners have achieved.

Thenceforth, HAF provided transport to the previously mentioned neighboring school for all attendees. Next to the newly installed solar panel array, Dr. Ben-Meir, a representative student of the primary school, a regional administration delegate, and various local community members ceremoniously cut a ribbon to symbolize the successful completion of the project. Showing their gratitude, the primary school faculty organized a singing performance, which their students put on. This heartfelt recital marked the end of the workshop.