As part of the participatory planning and implementation of community initiatives in the Dakhla Oued Ed Dahab region, in partnership with the U.S. Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) engaged with community members in the Bir Gandus municipality to bring to light a variety of issues. The process began in a regional forum that took place in October 2022, when one such concern expressed was educational regression amongst students, especially those in primary schools. Many students were not meeting critical developmental milestones such as arithmetic standards. Students expressed a desire for outlets that fostered their creativity and innovative intelligence.

In response, HAF, in collaboration with local educational associations, such as Qodwa, worked towards finding comprehensive alternatives to the traditional educational paradigm of repetition and memorization over comprehension and understanding. From January to June 2024, HAF and Qodwa co-facilitated four sessions (each for three days) of civic awareness and participatory planning, and two community forums, with 73 students (38 girls, 35 boys), local government officials, including the El Caid of Bir Gandus, the National Education trainers to establish school clubs, water, and electricity responsibles, and officials of the Royal Gendarmerie.