Transcript CoMaSec

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.
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.
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.
Why a cooperative venture?
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…)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Cooperatives
INDH/NIHD
Set up to produce local products
National Initiative for Human
Development
Partnerships
- REMESS
- SMD REGION
- IBN ZOHR
University
CoMaSEC
Maroc Solidaire (REMES)
Registered label guaranteeing quality
of local products
Coopérative Maroc Solidaire
training & certification
Maroc Taswiq
OCE’s marketing brand
Customers
Moroccan - International
OCE
Marketing and Exports Office
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)
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