From 2 to 7 June, Sybren Devoghel, director of Exchange, and Ariane Molderez, country programme manager for Morocco, went on an exploratory mission to the Oujda region. Two years after starting our activities in Morocco, the focus was now on testing opportunities within our new strategy: supporting circular economy and green transition in economically vulnerable regions like Oujda.

The priorities of this mission were to meet Belgian players active in Morocco and create a network of local partners active in the entrepreneurship sector. We also met entrepreneurs involved in sustainable agriculture and circular solutions, such as Jodoor, winner of the Seed Award, a company with a promising hydroponics project.

The Oriental region, of which Oujda is the capital, suffers from high unemployment, especially among young people (around 30 percent). The public, private and international cooperation sectors are aware of the region's challenges and are making major investments in training, infrastructure and industry. The circular economy is still in its infancy, but local entrepreneurs and policymakers are very interested in it.

We were impressed by the reception and dynamism of the partners. First impressions confirm that the potential is there and that there is a great need to support entrepreneurs. Our ambition is to launch two to four projects in Oujda and its surroundings by the end of 2025.

Call for experts to support green transition in Oujda (Morocco)

Exchange vzw is intensifying its activities in Morocco and, in this context, is looking for motivated volunteer coaches and experts to support local entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and providing technical expertise to implement concrete solutions in the areas of recycling, sustainable agriculture, water management and energy transition. Our ambition is to launch two to four pilot projects in Oujda by the end of 2025. Your expertise can make a difference and contribute to a more resilient and inclusive economy.

More specifically, we are looking for:

• A coach for a small company in Oujda, active in waste collection and processing. This company employs about ten people and collects metal, cardboard, plastic, etc. They would like to invest in the transformation process. We are looking for a coach who is interested in the sector and can support their growth.
  We are also looking for an expert who can help them choose and purchase machinery and train staff.
• A coach for a company based in Kénitra (1h30 from Rabat), active in hydroponics and very ambitious. They have developed a system using local materials and want to set up hydroponic greenhouses in Morocco and North Africa. They also want to support farmers by buying up their produce and selling it in Morocco or Europe.
  Hydroponics is a system of greenhouse agriculture in which plants are grown in water circuits. This system saves 60-80% water, which is a distinct advantage for Morocco.

We are preferably looking for a coach with experience in marketing large-scale agricultural infrastructure or fruits and vegetables.

As a coach:

• You bring your experience and support an entrepreneur;
• You draw up a growth plan with the entrepreneur, monitor progress and plan expert missions;
• You support a company for an average of three years;
• You visit the company on average once a year and provide regular online follow-up.

As an expert:

• You go on assignment for a specific project that is time-limited;
• You provide specific technical expertise;
• You prepare the assignment in advance and carry out an evaluation with the coach and the entrepreneur.

Interested? Contact Ariane Molderez, our programme manager in Morocco: ariane.molderez@exchangevzw.be!