Signing of assurif Support and Accompaniment Agreements for Entrepreneurial Projects — Afourar, 10 July 2025
Highlights from the signing ceremony of support and accompaniment agreements for eight small businesses in the assurif project, with support from Manos Unidas: 5 women's cooperatives, 2 self-employed women, and 1 self-employed man across the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region.
Signing Ceremony of Support and Accompaniment Agreements
On 10 July 2025, Afourar hosted the signing ceremony of support and accompaniment agreements for selected entrepreneurial projects within the assurif project framework, with support from Manos Unidas. The event marked a key milestone in the empowerment journey of eight small businesses: five women’s cooperatives, two self-employed women, and one self-employed man, spread across the Béni Mellal–Khénifra region.
Eight Businesses in Strategic Sectors
The supported businesses operate in three key sectors:
- Sustainable tourism — promoting responsible tourism that respects the environment and local heritage
- Traditional crafts and handicrafts — preserving traditional know-how and integrating it into the value chain
- Food industries — transforming local products and adding value to territorial resources
Despite their location in remote areas, these businesses help create local employment and strengthen the economic and social empowerment of target communities. Association Al Intilaka (AIDECA) continues to provide specialized technical accompaniment and support for the sustainability of these projects to amplify their social and economic impact.
Institutional Presence and Broad Participation
The meeting was attended by the head of the Afourar district, as well as representatives of the Regional Directorate of the National Office for Cooperative Development, the Regional Office for Agricultural Development, the National Agency for Employment and Skills Promotion (ANAPEC), alongside representatives of partner associations and cooperatives who are members of the assurif network, and other stakeholders.
About the assurif Project
The #assurif project, supported by Manos Unidas, is designed on the basis of achievements and lessons learned from earlier editions. It aims to strengthen the social and economic inclusion of women and youth in the provinces of Béni Mellal, Azilal, and Fquih Ben Salah.
The project offers a mechanism for training, capacity building, and accompaniment, as well as co-financing for young people and women in vulnerable situations, to create income-generating activities and small businesses. It also aims to contribute to the sustainability of established cooperatives by strengthening their capacities and effectiveness, and to encourage youth to invest in green entrepreneurship in the Béni Mellal–Khénifra region.
Project Partners
The assurif project is implemented by Association Al Intilaka (AIDECA) with support from Manos Unidas, as part of a shared commitment to the social and economic inclusion of women and youth in the target areas.
