Innovation, sustainability and gender: Launching of the R+DeAlgas project at the Faro deNador
On Friday, February 14th, the launch of the project “I+DeAlgas: Women for the Sustainable Development of the Marchica Lagoon” took place at Nador’s headquarters. This initiative, led by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Women for Africa Foundation, is financially supported by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development. In addition, the Nador Multidisciplinary Faculty offers scientific and technical support, along with specialized training for the beneficiaries, while the association Femmes pour l’Afrique acts as the primary implementing partner.
The collaboration of various Moroccan institutions has been crucial as well. The local Fisheries Chamber and the Ministry of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries offered their support from the project’s inception, alongside with the National Institute for Halieutic Research, the Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, the Ministry of Environment, and the Mediterranean Chamber of Maritime Fisheries.
The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished authorities, including the Director General of the Women for Africa Foundation, Ms. Maria Jesus Blasco Blanco; the Spanish Consul General, Mr. Rafael M. Reig Sanchez-Tembleque; the Program Manager of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Rabat, Mr. Jose Antonio Dominguez; the representative of the National Agency for Aquaculture Development in Morocco, Mr. Morchid Abdelkadous; and the Dean of the Nador Multidisciplinary Faculty, Dr. Alí Azdimousa.
The project coordinators, Isabel Fernandez and Raquel Garcia, presented the key aspects of the initiative, emphasizing its potential to transform the local economy by integrating women into sustainable aquaculture. Ilham Bouhadouz, a member of the Al Mostakbal li Tahalib Bahriya cooperative, shared the history and work of the cooperative, highlighting the positive impact this project will have on its aquaculture activities. To date, the members of the cooperative have received training in cooperative management and its legal framework, algae biology, and its applications in the food, cosmetic, and agricultural sectors, thanks to the Spanish Algae Bank. Additionally, they have participated in 12 swimming sessions and a Spanish language course to facilitate communication with international partners.
Fairouz Karabila, from the Femmes pour l’Afrique Association, concluded the event by reflecting on the cooperative’s journey. Established in 2019 as a result of the “Intermares” project, it has since become a benchmark for female leadership in the sector.
The event concluded with a cocktail reception and a concert of traditional Amazigh music.
“I+DeAlgas”: Women Leading the Way in the Region’s Blue Economy
The “I+DeAlgas” project seeks to economically empower women in Nador by offering specialized, ongoing support throughout every stage of production and commercialization of Gracilaria gracilis algae. The initiative backs the Al Mostakbal li Tahalib Bahriya cooperative, established on May 23, 2023, being the first women-led cooperative in a sector traditionally dominated by men.
Thanks to the support of the National Agency for Aquaculture Development, which has provided 15 hectares for cultivation and 1 hectare for research in the Marchica Lagoon, as well as materials for the installation of the plots, the participants receive technical training in aquaculture, algae processing, and commercialization, ensuring their professional and economic development. This project also promotes scientific research, aiming to improve cultivation and valorisation methods for the endemic algae of the lagoon. Furthermore, it aligns with Morocco’s national policies, such as the Halieutis Plan and the Regional Development Program, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the region through the inclusion of women in the blue economy.
Some images from the event:
