Project “I+DeAlgas”: women promote sustainable development of the Marchica Lagoon

A pioneering and transformative project begins: “I+DeAlgas: the impulse of women for sustainable development in the Mar Chica lagoon”. With funding from AECID, today, February 1, 2024 begins a unique international collaboration between Women for Africa foundation, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Cooperatives Al Mostakbal Litahalib Albahriya, Marchica de la Pêche Artisanale, the Association Femmes pour l’Afrique and the Multidisciplinary Faculty of Nador.

I+DeAlgas aims to promote women’s participation in the seaweed farming sector and the integrated management of the Marchica lagoon through innovation, strengthen their labor and economic rights, as well as holistically address environmental and social challenges in the region.

In a context of imperative environmental preservation and mitigation of the effects of climate change, this project is led by women who merge academic knowledge with wisdom rooted in the rural environment. The Marchica Lagoon, their home and workplace, stands as the epicenter of a comprehensive approach to sustainability.

Project development:

Thanks to this locally driven initiative, women are entering the algae farming sector with the farming of endemic algae, the result of a pilot project implemented with a local artisanal fishermen’s cooperative. This approach not only provides the necessary livelihood, but also establishes a collaborative model for progress.

Education and Training:

Aware of the fundamental role of education and scientific research for the advancement of the aquaculture sector, this project supports scientific research and local educational offered at the Multidisciplinary Faculty of Nador, in addition to training focused on the development of specific competencies for seaweed farming, essential for the sustainable development of the sector.

International Collaboration:

We collaborate with a network of scientists from the Spanish Bank of Algae and with “NOWisAfrica” network of African women scientists run by Women for Africa. This international approach seeks to enhance the valorization of algae, promoting their integration into sustainable value chains.

Environmental impact:

The latest scientific research observes that algae farming can contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reversing ocean acidification and improving the marine environment. This project will not only improve the quality of life for many people in the Eastern region of the country, but will also have a very positive impact on the global environment.

I+DeAlgas is more than just a project, it is a commitment to sustainable development led by women working in tune with cutting-edge research in the algae sector. This type of farming is not only a source of income, it is also a driving force for a positive and profound development of the Marchica Lagoon and the province of Nador towards the blue and green economy. Join us in this exciting project for a more sustainable and equitable world where women lead the change.