Coopérative Maroc Solidaire Training & Certification (CoMaSec)

“An original idea serving the SMD Region”

Background

The Souss Massa Draâ region is the

source of a great wealth of local produce

(saffron, argan oil, roses, almonds, honey,

prickly pear, olive oil…), making it one of

the foremost producers of these

commodities in Morocco.

A university open to its environment

A teacher at Ibn Zohr University in Agadir,

Mrs Salma DAOUD, has taken the initiative of

instituting a vocational training course which

responds to the needs of the region.

CoMaSEC

The idea was born in 2007 at the Science Faculty

in Agadir: to create a new occupation which would

met the needs of the region by providing technical

training for local development.

CoMaSEC

Objective of the vocational training; development of local produce

The objective of this training is to create outlets for

students capable of launching innovative projects in each

local area (students with a strong desire to play an active

part in developing the local produce sector), by creating a

profitable, sustainable and properly regulated socio-

economic enterprise, in a spirit of cooperative teamwork.

CoMaSEC

Why a cooperative venture?

CoMaSEC

Because of the lack of proper training observed during visits

to the area, and because of the many problems to which

this gives rise (corruption; exploitation of the mainly female

workforce; lack of professionalism and training, resulting in

non-compliance with accounting principles and H&S

regulations, failure to realise full potential, marketing

problems…)

CoMaSEC

The students working for the “development of local produce”

diploma wanted to set an example by acting as a driving force

in regional development. Their idea was to establish a

services cooperative to provide training and certification,

which would respect the values of ethical conduct, fairness

and solidarity as they relate to sustainable development.  

CoMaSEC

The reality

Thinking about it, we have become aware of the

importance of serious intervention to assist professional

organisations which, despite State efforts and State aid

(support for start-ups, in some cases 100% funding of

projects), fail to achieve the results expected of them in

terms of marketing their products, on the one hand, and

economic and social spin-off, on the other.

CoMaSEC

The team

To tackle the wide range of problems involved, CoMaSec

consists of a multi-disciplinary team: agronomists, biologists,

sociologists, legal experts and economists, all determined to

make a success of this new model of socially responsible

enterprise, established to serve struggling areas, with a view to

making the best possible use of their undervalued assets.

CoMaSEC

Objectives

To provide services to cooperatives and State organisations.

To generate socio-economic activity.

To provide social-enterprise certification for professional organisations.

To provide training and supervision for professional organisations.

To produce technical kits in a framework of partnership.

To sub-contract training and management projects.

CoMaSEC

Missions

Surveys, training, support and consultancy 

Labelling, certification, quality control 

Supporting the creation of solidarity-economy organisations/enterprises

Organising forums, seminars (events management)

R & D (coordination) 

Visions

Promoting the social and solidarity economy and a sustainable form of development

which makes high-quality products/services available to local people.

Creating a sustainable development dynamic through promotion, certification

and supervision, resulting in accessible products which attract attention (act as a beacon).

Respect for the values of the social and solidarity economy and of sustainable development.

CustomersMoroccan - International

CooperativesSet up to produce local products

OCEMarketing and Exports Office

Maroc TaswiqOCE’s marketing brand

INDH/NIHDNational Initiative for Human

Development

Maroc Solidaire (REMES)Registered label guaranteeing quality

of local products

Partnerships- REMESS- SMD REGION- IBN ZOHR University

MOROCCO

CoMaSECCoopérative Maroc Solidaire

training & certification

CoMaSEC

Experience

Territorial diagnoses:

1. Aït Baha District, from 07 to 11 March 2011.

2. Tafraout District, from 21 to 26 April 2012.

Activities and tasks performed

Interpretation of the landscape of the area under study

Small-group surveys of local operators

Discussion of prospects and scenarios for local development

Feedback to local operators (population, authorities)

CoMaSEC

Future prospects

-CoMaSec is also considering creating a “Maroc Solidaire” brand to

standardise the labelling arrangements and legibility/visibility of

products sold under the Maroc Taswiq umbrella.

-CoMaSec is also intending to use its resources and experience to

take part in establishing projects connected with eco-tourism and geo-

tourism.

CoMaSEC

A services cooperative, driving force in sustainable development

CoMaSEC

CoMaSec