R&DeAlgae: Women for the sustainable development of the Marchica lagoon

This is a project led by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the Fundación Mujeres por África (MxA), funded by the Spanish Agency of Cooperation.

The “Femmes pour l’Afrique” association acts as the main partner on the ground.

The purpose of this project is to economically empower vulnerable women from Nador, Morocco, by providing specialized and continuous support at all stages of the production and commercial process of the Gracilaria Gracilis seaweed.

The initiative focuses on the creation and strengthening of a women’s cooperative, which will manage 15 hectares of cultivation, and 1 hectare dedicated to research in the Marchica Lagoon.

Empowerment will be achieved through a comprehensive technical training program, in which they will learn aquaculture, processing, and marketing techniques, ensuring their professional and economic development.

The project aligns with Morocco’s national policies, such as the Halieutis Plan and the Regional Development Program (PDR).

It comprises the following essential phases:

– Training in sustainable aquaculture in collaboration with academic and scientific entities.

– Launch of an aquaculture park dedicated to production, research, and experimentation.

– Implementation of a specialized university course on sustainable seaweed management.

– Creation of cultivation infrastructure, laboratories, and reflection spaces.

– Marketing and market entry in collaboration with other entities.

– Formalization of research, transfer, and development agreements for new research lines.

OUR GOAL 

A sustainable, inclusive, and replicable development model. The project drives women’s economic empowerment through aquaculture and innovation, blending sustainable development, technology, and gender equity. These pillars form a high-impact model with strong potential for expansion, laying the foundations for transformative and scalable change.

Economic empowerment of women:

– Integration into the formal economy through the cooperative.

– Training in aquaculture techniques and product processing.

Social and Productive Innovation in the Sector:

– Promotion of applied research in aquaculture.

– Integration of results into sustainable value chains.

Ecosystem Regeneration and Improvement:

– Improvement of water quality and biodiversity.

– Sustainable aquaculture practices that mitigate climate change.

Regional and Replicable Economic Development:

– Knowledge transfer to other geographical areas.

– Collaboration across multiple sectors.

PROJECT IMPACT 

Social Impact:

– Training of 10 women in the AlMostakbal Cooperative to manage seaweed cultivation and commercialization, with great future potential for the employability of other women in Nador province.

– Insertion of women into the formal market, promoting gender equality in a sector traditionally dominated by men.

– Theoretical and practical training for 20 university students in aquaculture techniques and scientific research.

Environmental Impact:

– Significant improvement in biodiversity and water quality in the Marchica Lagoon through the absorption of nutrients and pollutants by the seaweed.

– Technical cultivation improvements and application through new research lines and publications in scientific journals on seaweed biomass valorization.

– Contribution to climate change mitigation by reducing the environmental impact of human activity and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices.

Economic Impact:

– 5 women from the cooperative will autonomously manage seaweed cultivation and commercialization, driving the creation of value-added derivative products.

– Production of 3 tons of seaweed by the AlMostakbal Cooperative, increasing its capital by at least 400%.

– Insertion of seaweed-derived products into high-value markets, such as the cosmetic and agricultural sectors, which will enhance the cooperative’s financial viability.

Interested in joining our team?

The project is made up of a multidisciplinary team that ensures effective implementation with a comprehensive, high-impact approach. This team includes local, international, and institutional entities with extensive experience in aquaculture, sustainable development, and social innovation.