Empowering women-led cooperatives for sustainable and inclusive growth
On October 14, 2025, Al Moutmir, an initiative of OCP Group, held the 18th edition of its Open Innovation Lab at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic campus in Benguerir.
The session, titled “Agricultural cooperatives led by women: the collective power for a sustainable and inclusive agriculture,” brought together over 200 participants — including women cooperative leaders, researchers, development partners, and representatives from academia and the private sector.
Strengthening Cooperative Models Through Inclusion
This 18th edition focused on exploring how women’s leadership in agricultural cooperatives can serve as a catalyst for economic empowerment, social innovation, and community resilience. Participants discussed new pathways for building cooperative models that integrate care, equity, and sustainability into their governance and business practices.
Through a series of interactive workshops and panels, women leaders shared their stories of resilience and innovation, showcasing how cooperative entrepreneurship can strengthen local food systems, create value chains, and enhance livelihoods in rural areas.
Building Ecosystems for Empowerment
The exchanges highlighted that women-led cooperatives are not only drivers of local productivity, but also engines of inclusive innovation.
Speakers emphasized the need for greater access to financing, training, and digital tools to help rural women scale their initiatives and navigate evolving agricultural challenges.
The event also encouraged intergenerational collaboration, connecting experienced cooperative leaders with young entrepreneurs and students from UM6P — creating bridges between practice and education.
A Shared Commitment to Inclusive Agriculture
At the close of the lab, participants collectively committed to co-designing an inclusive action plan aimed at reinforcing rural ecosystems.
The plan involves collaboration between women entrepreneurs, agricultural cooperatives, extension services, academic institutions, financial organizations, and social economy actors — all united by a shared goal: advancing a sustainable and equitable agricultural transformation in Morocco and across Africa.
About the Open Innovation Lab
Launched by Al Moutmir, the Open Innovation Lab series serves as a platform for dialogue and experimentation, where stakeholders in agriculture, research, and community development can co-create solutions to challenges facing the sector.
Each edition focuses on a specific theme related to innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, reinforcing UM6P’s and OCP Group’s commitment to fostering a science-driven and socially responsible agricultural ecosystem.
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