Raidates: Driving the economic independence of Moroccan women in cooperatives
In Morocco, “raidates” are women leaders—pioneers who lead the way. Raidates is also the name of a new project that will allow us to help more Moroccan women contribute to the national economy by harnessing the transformative power of cooperatives. Raidates aims to expand the capacity of 120 women’s cooperatives and 5,000 women co-op members.
This six-year project will be carried out with financial support from Global Affairs Canada and in partnership with the OCP Foundation. The project will also receive support from HEC Montréal’s IDEOS Hub and from University Mohammed VI Polytechnic, as well as guidance from Morocco’s State Secretariat in charge of Handicrafts and the Social and Solidarity Economy.
Direct benefits for women co-op members
Women’s cooperatives play a vital role in Morocco, where many women still face persistent barriers that limit their access to productive resources, paid employment and real opportunities to participate in economic life. Women’s co-ops provide a space for economic participation, income creation and poverty reduction for women. The Raidates initiative aims to strengthen this role by helping women co-op members develop new skills, improve the quality of their products and gain access to more profitable markets.
These women will receive personalized support to strengthen their leadership skills, make informed decisions at their cooperative and improve their capacity to earn sustainable income.
The project will also help reduce economic inequality by making it easier for women to access financial services, which is key for improving their situation. By supporting tailored financing solutions, Raidates will give women co-op members the means to invest in their production, broaden their activities and ensure the financial stability of their organizations.
Cooperatives that are stronger, more resilient and more sustainable
In several parts of Morocco, women’s cooperatives operate against a backdrop of economic fragility and environmental pressures. Water shortages, land degradation and lower productivity in certain sectors are direct threats to their livelihoods.
Raidates is addressing these challenges by making cooperatives more resilient. The project will support the adoption of responsible business practices and respectful use of natural resources. Women co-op members will get help to improve the management of their activities, optimize their costs and increase their profitability, while protecting the ecosystems that their work depends on.
The project will target sectors with strong potential for inclusive growth and that are more likely to create sustainable jobs for women. These sectors include aromatic and medicinal plants, rose production, livestock farming and rug production.
An entrepreneurial learning path designed to maximize impact
Raidates will offer cooperatives and their women members a comprehensive and personalized entrepreneurial learning path that combines capacity building, technical assistance and tailored financial solutions. This integrated approach will help these women strengthen their skills, be more competitive and seize new economic opportunities.
By working closely with local authorities, financial institutions and multiple development partners, the project will help build an environment that is conducive to the social economy, innovation and women’s economic participation. It will also support national efforts to preserve natural resources and make lands more resilient to climate change.
Sustainable change for 5,000 women
The Raidates project will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of women co-op members. By strengthening these women’s skills, improving their incomes and consolidating their organizations, this project will generate lasting benefits for their families, communities and regions.
The project will also strengthen ties between Canadian and Moroccan institutions, promoting knowledge transfer, innovation and the creation of diversified and resilient economic corridors.
By supporting Moroccan women co-op members, Raidates is not just stimulating economic activity. It’s helping to build stronger and more independent communities that are better prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.