Morocco has announced the launch of the “Green Gateway for Youth and Biodiversity,” a new national project aimed at empowering the country’s youth to lead in biodiversity conservation and green entrepreneurship. The initiative, unveiled at a workshop in Rabat, is led by the National Agency for Water and Forests in collaboration with prominent international partners, including Swisscontact, PlanBørnefonden, and the Copenhagen Zoo, with support from the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme.
A Strategic Push For Sustainable Development
The Green Gateway initiative is a cornerstone of Morocco’s broader vision for a sustainable and inclusive future, aligning with the “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy initiated by King Mohammed VI. Abderrahim Houmy, Director General of the National Agency for Water and Forests, highlighted that the project represents an integrated model connecting youth, biodiversity, and sustainable development. He emphasized that with over a third of the kingdom’s population being young people, they are a critical national asset for driving the ecological transition and sustainably valuing natural resources.
A Three-Pillar Approach To Empowerment
The project is structured around three key pillars designed to create a comprehensive support system for young Moroccans. The first pillar focuses on skills development through the training of trainers and eco-guards within the country’s national parks. The second pillar is dedicated to fostering green entrepreneurship, which will involve mentoring and financing 35 young entrepreneurs with innovative projects based in the Ifrane National Park. The third pillar centers on conservation, with a specific focus on protecting endangered species, particularly the Northern Bald Ibis, as Morocco is home to the world’s last remaining wild colony of this symbolic bird.
International Collaboration For Local Impact
The initiative’s launch underscored the power of international cooperation in driving local economic and environmental progress. Berit Basse, the Danish Ambassador to Morocco, stated that the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme aims to promote good governance, inclusion, and the creation of green jobs. She described the Green Gateway as an investment in youth, nature, and the partnership between the two nations, reinforcing that economic growth and environmental protection are mutually reinforcing goals. Sophie Rossmann, Director of Swisscontact-Morocco, added that a green approach is essential for making economies more respectful of nature, which requires greening skills, supporting eco-friendly jobs, and promoting sustainable sectors like tourism, agriculture, and handicrafts.
About The Green Gateway Initiative
The Green Gateway for Youth and Biodiversity is a Moroccan national project designed to enhance youth participation in preserving biodiversity and promoting green entrepreneurship. Led by the National Agency for Water and Forests, it operates through a collaborative framework involving Swisscontact, PlanBørnefonden, Copenhagen Zoo, and the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme. The initiative focuses on three main areas: upskilling youth as eco-guards, providing funding and mentorship for green startups, and contributing to the conservation of endangered species.
Source: maroc.ma
