Under the chairmanship of Mr. Es-Saady, Secretary of State for Crafts and Social and Solidarity Economy: National “Lalla Al Moutaâouina”, an official consecration of the best women’s cooperative initiatives
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress-Rabat
The Secretariat of State in charge of Crafts and Social and Solidarity Economy (SEASS), with the Ministry of Tourism, Crafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, and the Office for Cooperation Development (ODCO), organized on Tuesday April 15, 2025 the 6th edition of the National Prize “Lalla Al Moutaâouina” at the headquarters of the State Secretariat and Social Economy and Social Economy and Social Economy Solidarity located in Agdal.
“Lalla Al Moutaâouina”, a prize that rewards the most innovative initiatives carried by Moroccan women’s cooperatives.
This edition, placed under the unifying theme “The female cooperatives build a better world”, is fully part of the national dynamics initiated during the official launch of the International Year of Cooperatives (AIC 2025) in Morocco, February 27, 2025 under the aegis of the State Secretariat, In line with the international dynamics of the International Year of 2025 cooperatives, proclaimed by the United Nations.
With the participation of 388 Cooperatives Coming from all regions of the kingdom, a jury of experts distinguished 31 winners for their innovative projects, combining Creativity, sustainability and socio-economic impact. The award ceremony, held this Tuesday April 15, 2025 in Rabathas honored exemplary initiatives carried out by women engaged in the social and solidarity economy.
Each year since its launch, the price ” Lalla Al Moutaâouina »Offers a financial support of 50,000 DH to each award -winning cooperative, thanks to a Public-private partnership implying Seass and the Odco, as well as Des institutional and private partners leading.
This 6th edition benefited from the support of the regions of Fès-Meknes, Guelmim-Oued-Noud, the Oriental, and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab as well as the OCP Foundation, Attijariwafa Bank, Bank of Africa, the Amane Foundation, the Crédit Agricole du Maroc, Cosumar, Copag, Jaida, Foundation Attawfiq Micro-Finance, Tanger Med,
M. Lahcen es-Saady underlined in his opening word:
“The Lalla Al Moutaâouina Prize embodies a strong and committed vision of a Morocco where cooperative women are not simple participants in economic dynamics, but real actresses of change and pillars of sustainable development. Through their determination, their creativity and their sense of solidarity, these women demonstrate every day that the social and solidarity economy represents much more than an alternative model: it is a strategic path towards inclusive, fair and rooted prosperity in the territories. This prize celebrates their resilience, values their impact and reaffirms the national desire to place the empowerment of women at the heart of development priorities. »»
In turn, Mrs. Aicha Errifaai, ODCO Director General underlined “This edition has a very special dimension, since it is part of the International Year of Cooperatives proclaimed by the United Nations.
It thus reinforces the scope of the Lalla Al Moutaâouina price as a tool for valuation, mobilization and visibility for women cooperative. More than a reward, this prize has become a structuring lever to encourage female leadership in the social and solidarity economy, in perfect harmony with national priorities and international commitments in terms of sustainable and inclusive development. “
In six editions, the National Prize “Lalla Al Moutaâouina” has marked the history of women’s cooperative entrepreneurship since its launch in 2020, it has rewarded 159 cooperatives, selected from more than 2,000 projects across Morocco. The figures say a long time: from 14 winners in 2020, the number increased to 31 in 2025, reflecting an increasing enthusiasm of female cooperatives for this innovative device. This development not only reflects the relevance of the price as a valuation and development lever, but also the growing membership of partners and sponsors, whose determined involvement makes it possible to mobilize the funds allocated to the winners. Their support is a fundamental pillar of the success of this ambitious program, which continues to arouse hope, inspiration and emulation throughout the kingdom.
