In a bold step to foster inclusive growth and promote cooperative entrepreneurship, Morocco has awarded the “Génération Solidaire” Prize to 28 youth-led cooperatives across the country.
Each winning cooperative will receive a financial grant of 50,000 dirhams (approximately €4,583) alongside tailored technical support, marking a significant boost to grassroots innovation and collective enterprise.
Launched in 2021, the national initiative aims to encourage sustainable and socially responsible entrepreneurship among Moroccan youth. The prize forms a key pillar of the country’s broader “Morocco 2035” strategy, which sets an ambitious target to establish 50,000 cooperatives by the year 2035.
The programme is overseen by the Ministry of Social and Solidarity Economy and supported by the Office for the Development of Cooperation (ODCO).
The selected cooperatives represent a wide range of sectors and regions.
From agroecology and upcycled crafts to recycling, eco-tourism, natural cosmetics, education, and socially-driven tech projects, the winners exemplify creativity rooted in community empowerment and sustainability.
“Generation Solidarity is more than just a prize—it’s a platform for a new generation of cooperative entrepreneurs determined to create impact through solidarity,” said a ministry representative during the awards ceremony.
In addition to the monetary prize, each winning group will benefit from comprehensive support that includes training in business management, marketing, and digital tools.
Regional ODCO units will accompany the cooperatives in their growth journey, while partnerships with financial institutions aim to facilitate their access to credit.
The initiative reflects Morocco’s increasing focus on alternative development models that combat youth unemployment and precarious livelihoods by nurturing collective ventures rooted in local realities.
By investing in the potential of its youth through solidarity-based economies, Morocco hopes to chart a more inclusive and resilient path toward long-term economic transformation.
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