El Faro de Nador hosts the closing ceremony of the first phase of the “Origine Nador” programme, a key initiative for women’s entrepreneurship in the craft sector.
Madrid, 8 April 2026 – El Faro de Nador, our headquarters on the African continent, hosted the closing ceremony for the first phase of the “Origine Nador” programme, a project launched by the Women for Africa Foundation through its Moroccan affiliate, the Association Femmes pour l’Afrique, and with the support of the ISS Foundation and Una Sonrisa Más, which aims to promote female entrepreneurship in the craft sector and develop a local brand geared towards international tourism.
The event brought together institutional representatives, project partners, industry professionals and beneficiaries for a day that highlighted the progress made and the social and economic impact of this initiative in eastern Morocco.
The ceremony was opened by Pedro Luis Moral Tardío, Minister-Counsellor at the Spanish Consulate General in Nador, and featured speeches by project leaders and representatives from partner organisations. During the event, the key outcomes of this first phase were presented, including the launch of a pilot e-commerce platform and the progress made by the women’s entrepreneurship incubator.
A project to transform the craft sector
The Origine Nador programme was launched with the aim of creating an incubator for innovative business projects led by women in the craft sector, whilst promoting a collective brand of local products with an international reach.
Against a backdrop of growing tourism in Nador and the strategic importance of the craft sector—which formally employs 40% of the working population—the project addresses the need to modernise and revitalise local production, particularly in the wake of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on female employment.
During this first phase, the programme has made it possible to:
– Train women artisans in production techniques that meet international standards.
– Promote the creation and strengthening of income-generating projects.
– Develop an incubator to support female entrepreneurs, which will in future operate as a specialist consultancy.
– Train a group of young women to become future expert consultants in women’s entrepreneurship.
– Prepare various craft projects for entry into the tourism market under the ‘Origine Nador’ brand.
In addition, a pilot e-commerce initiative has been launched to facilitate the marketing of products, incorporating training in digital marketing and online sales strategies.
Social impact and sustainable development
The project has made a significant contribution to the economic and social empowerment of vulnerable women, by strengthening their skills, supporting the establishment of cooperatives and promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly production models.
During the event, awards were also presented for innovation and seed funding, recognising the talent and hard work of the programme’s beneficiaries.
The participants highlighted the value of institutional collaboration and the role of bodies such as the Chamber of Crafts, the Tourism Office, the Chamber of Commerce, the CNSS and other Moroccan public and private organisations that have supported this initiative.
A replicable model of cooperation
Since its establishment in 2017, El Faro de Nador has established itself as a key centre for training, research and knowledge exchange, playing a vital role in the professional development of women in the region.
The conclusion of this first phase marks an important milestone, establishing the “Origine Nador” project as a successful model of international cooperation and regional development, based on inclusion, innovation, sustainability and a gender perspective.
The project thus lays the foundations for future phases that will enable it to expand its scope and strengthen its impact on the local economy, helping to establish Nador as a leading centre for women’s craft-based entrepreneurship linked to tourism.