The OCP Foundation reaffirms its commitment to the social and solidarity economy in Morocco and nine other African countries, as part of International Cooperatives Day (July 5) and the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.
On this occasion, the Foundation highlights the commitment of cooperative communities of women and men, and actively works to strengthen these dynamics, with the conviction of making cooperation a lever for empowerment, resilience, and sustainable development.
A vision based on listening and territorial anchoring
In the face of economic inclusion challenges, the valorization of local resources, and equal opportunities, the OCP Foundation has placed the social and solidarity economy at the heart of its action. For over 10 years, pilot projects, participatory diagnostics, and direct exchanges with rural communities have nourished an approach grounded in reality.
This support model, which is constantly evolving, has been enriched each year. Design thinking, digital marketing, governance training, mentoring, management tools… The Foundation bets on personalized, gradual, and co-constructed support, closely aligned with the territories.
Cooperatives of tomorrow: a support ecosystem that grows with them
To support the growth and transformation of cooperatives, a structured support ecosystem is gradually being deployed.
This includes BootCoop, an intensive program aimed at promoting cooperative entrepreneurship by assisting in the structuring of cooperatives. This program combines training, mentoring, and access to expertise to strengthen their capacities and support their development.
Additionally, CoopStore, born from a common desire between founding cooperatives and public partners such as the Office for the Development of Cooperation (ODCO) and the Secretary of State for Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, constitutes a collaborative network that facilitates market access, values local products, and ensures fair remuneration for cooperators. Initiated by 10 founding cooperatives, it now has 60 members engaged in this dynamic.
Furthermore, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the OCP Foundation has trained and certified 22 trainers from four countries (Morocco, Guinea, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast) on the Think.COOP, Start.COOP, and My.COOP tools. The goal is to create a generation of trainers capable of transmitting and adapting best practices in cooperative management to sustainably strengthen the skills of cooperatives.
Certification of Trainers in GET Ahead: Promoting Gender-Sensitive Cooperative Entrepreneurship
In partnership with the ILO and the National School of Agriculture of Meknes (ENAM), the Gender and Entrepreneurship Together (GET Ahead) program offers training in cooperative entrepreneurship that incorporates a gender dimension.
This program is intended for both women and men and aims to provide them with the essential skills to launch and develop a viable cooperative project.
The OCP Foundation has trained 34 cooperatives through this approach during the National Social and Solidarity Economy Assizes.
Mourafaka Program: a structuring support to strengthen the autonomy and sustainability of local cooperatives
Implemented in partnership with the Secretary of State for Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy, the ODCO, and UM6P, the Mourafaka program continues to support local cooperatives by strengthening their autonomy and promoting their sustainable development.
In total, 214 cooperatives have benefited from dedicated training, while 197 cooperatives have been supported through personalized coaching. This support has resulted in the completion of 2,681 coaching sessions, demonstrating the intensity and commitment of the program to cooperative actors.
Lalla Moutaouina Prize & Solidarity Generations
These initiatives highlight projects with a strong social and economic impact carried by cooperatives and engaged entrepreneurs, offering them tailored support to ensure their sustainability and development. In this context, 29 new projects have recently been selected.
At the same time, the BootCoop program has supported 43 cooperatives to maximize the social and economic impact of the awarded projects in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
A Moroccan and international adventure
In Morocco, the Foundation operates in all 12 regions and has supported 932 cooperatives, bringing together more than 9,000 cooperators, 75% of whom are women. To support these structures, 72 experts have been mobilized.
Among these cooperatives, 108 have been awarded for their social impact and innovation capacity.
Additionally, 214 cooperatives have benefited from support under the fourth phase of the Mourafaka program, with a total of 2,681 coaching sessions completed.
Simultaneously, the support of the OCP Foundation now extends to 9 Southern countries. There are 33 cooperatives supported, 1,500 women trained, and a diversity of projects adapted to local realities.
In Malawi, two women’s cooperatives have been created around the Angolan pea, with 80 women trained in processing and marketing. In Ivory Coast, 145 hectares of cassava have been planted by women’s groups, achieving 72.5% of the annual target, along with support for structuring.
In Zimbabwe, the valorization of tamarind is being implemented as a lever for empowerment among 350 beneficiaries spread across seven groups.
In Senegal, 700 women benefit from two Integrated Community Agricultural Farms (FACI) along the Great Green Wall, while in Joal Fadiouth, 600 women participate in an integrated mangrove restoration project. The Niokolo Koba park also benefits from support with a FACI that has multiplied its production by seven.
In Cape Verde, 200 farmers are supported on saline lands through four demonstration plots established.
In Guinea, the Foundation supports the National Center for the Protection of Marine and Coastal Environments, particularly through capacity building and equipment provision.
Even in India, 2,000 farmers receive support to enhance the productivity of peanuts, Angolan peas, and soybeans through research, training, and experimentation.
Towards a more inclusive, innovative, and human social and solidarity economy
In the face of the constant evolution of the cooperative world, the OCP Foundation continues its transformation in 2025. It is resolutely focused on social innovation, sharing experiences, and strengthening partnerships to develop operational models aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Convinced that a more just, more human, and more resilient economy is built through a collaborative approach with cooperatives, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting this essential dynamic.