Marrakech – The Ministry of Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy and the Office for Cooperative Development (ODCO) hosted an official ceremony today to mark the conclusion of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2025).
Lahcen Es-saady, Secretary of State for Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, chaired the event. The ceremony marked the transition from institutional vision to collective action driven by the country’s 65,000 cooperatives.
Speaking to Morocco World News (MWN), Es-saady outlined significant achievements during 2025. “During this year, we created more than 24,000 jobs through cooperative-based activity,” he stated, noting that Morocco has consistently honored its international commitments under the guidance of King Mohammed VI.
The country engaged fully with the UN initiative after the government responded positively to the designation. Es-saady indicated that the country delivered measurable results throughout the international year.
Today’s ceremony included a comprehensive assessment of the international year, launch of ODCO’s digital ecosystem for market access, and presentation of social and economic impact indicators for the cooperative sector in 2025. Strategic exchanges with social and solidarity economy actors and testimonials from innovative cooperatives were featured.
Es-saady announced the organization of a National Conference on the Social and Solidarity Economy during 2025. The conference produced two key outcomes based on sector stakeholder demands.
The first involved updating the National Strategy for the Social and Solidarity Economy through consultation with relevant stakeholders, sectors, civil society, and field actors.
The second outcome was the adoption of a framework law, in line with the recommendations of the New Development Model and constitutional institutions. “This framework law is ready to be introduced into the legislative process,” Es-saady confirmed.
The ministry developed an integrated support ecosystem for cooperatives throughout the year. Es-saady explained that cooperatives require guidance, accompaniment, training, and post-creation support beyond financial assistance.
Officials launched “Mourafaka,” a structured support program designed to accompany 500 newly established cooperatives annually. The program provides comprehensive services, including training, accompaniment, and financing for newly created cooperatives.
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In addition, the ministry has established a project bank for young people and women seeking to invest in the social and solidarity economy. This initiative allows access to successful, proven projects that require adoption and ground-level implementation.
The Office for Cooperative Development, established in 1962 and restructured as ODCO in 1975, operates under the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy. ODCO supports cooperative sector development through specialized training programs, information resources, and technical and legal assistance.
Following the success of the 2012 International Year of Cooperatives, the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives in November 2023.
The designation came through Resolution A/RES/78/289 under the sponsorship of Mongolia and Kenya, calling on member states and UN agencies to promote the cooperative model and showcase its contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The official launch of IYC 2025 was marked by a dedicated event held on July 9, 2024, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum.
Its culmination took place at the ICA Global Conference, held from November 26 to 29, 2024, in New Delhi, India, bringing together global leaders and key actors from across the cooperative movement.