In rural Ghassate, Morocco women’s cooperatives and practical training are launched
Hands-on training links women’s skills to markets
The Story
In the rural commune of Ghassate (Ouarzazate Province, Morocco), ACWA Power’s Noor Ouarzazate CSR project has, since 2013, strengthened women’s economic participation by forming mixed agricultural cooperatives and women-only handicraft cooperatives. The program delivers hands-on training in livestock, agriculture, and handicrafts, pairing skills building with market linkages so women can earn, save, and invest closer to home. Using the W+ Standard, the project quantifies gains in Income & Assets and Knowledge & Education, demonstrating verified improvements in women’s livelihoods.
Quick Facts
Goal: Increase incomes and improve livelihoods—especially for women—through cooperatives, skills training, and market access.
- Location: Tanger–Tétouan region, Morocco
- Metrics: Results under measurement via W+ (baseline established; verification pending).
- Beneficiaries (women): TBD (women cooperative members, dairy producers, artisans)
Standards & Certifications:
- W+ Domains: Income & Assets, Knowledge & Education
- Credit Type: W+ Units (Registered — issuance pending)
- Certified Supply: *N/A (Registered project; no tradable units yet)
What We Did
- Formed/coached cooperatives: Supported women-only and mixed cooperatives in handicrafts and livestock/dairy.
- Delivered skills training: Workshops on handicraft production, livestock management, and milk hygiene/quality.
- Built value-chain links: Helped establish milk collection centers and buyer connections to stabilize demand and pricing.
- Enabled home-proximate livelihoods: Encouraged income-generating activities near the household to reduce travel/time burdens.
- Improved extension access: Coordinated with local services to reach women who previously lacked advisory support.
Results & Impact
Results are currently being measured under the W+ Standard; formal verification pending.
- Income & Assets (W+): Tracking increases in women’s business revenues, asset accumulation, and profitability through cooperatives and dairy sales.
- Knowledge & Education (W+): Measuring uptake of practical skills and improved practices in handicrafts and livestock/milk production.
- Co-benefits (expected focus areas): Reduced travel time by locating activities near home; stronger buyer linkages; greater participation of women in local economies.
In the Field
Behind the scenes of projects directly from the technical experts on the ground.
Fund a Verified Solution — One Credit at a Time
Kasigau Corridor REDD+ Project, Kenya
Women Leading Regenerative Change in Brazil’s Cerrado
Fisher Folks Making Circular Economy Work for The Western Tonle Sap Lake Project
Improved Cookstoves (ICS) Programme
Bokpoort CSP Programme, South Africa
Khalladi Wind Farm Project in Morocco
Women’s Cooperatives Driving Lasting Change in Kenya
Improved Firewood Cookstoves Programme, Honduras
Stoves that Save Time and Energy in KhRos
Financial Literacy Program in Vietnam
Indonesia Domestic Biogas Programme
Clean Energy that Restores Forests and Empowers Women in Nepal
Growing Resilience Through Agricultural Innovation in Kenya (Pula)
Women-led Community Resilient Local Governance in India (wCOREL)
Mangrove Protection through Cleaner Fish Smoking in Cameroon
1st Carbon Credit Project - Solar Water Pumps for Salt Farmers of Kutch
Building climate resilience in the Sundarbans through mangrove restoration
