Today, April 15, the High Atlas Foundation hosted Her Excellency Patricia Llombart Cussac, EU Ambassador to Morocco, in Achbarou village (Al Haouz), a shining example of how EU-funded initiatives are transforming rural lives!

The visit highlighted the success of the EU-funded project: Family Literacy in Marrakech-Safi, which has empowered over 800 rural women and girls through education, personal development, and the creation of income-generating cooperatives.

In Achbarou, the ambassador met with the women of the Carpet-Making Cooperative and was warmly welcomed with organic, handmade local products. The cooperative members, who benefited from the Family Literacy Program, created the cooperative as a result of it.

They have now launched a new project making eco-friendly sacks for tree planting, with support from HAF. The ambassador was further inspired by the women’s vision of growing their own food to live 100 percent naturally.

“This collaboration is making a real difference,” the ambassador shared, expressing strong support for the project’s impact on education, sustainability, and women’s empowerment.

At the end, the ambassador planted a pomegranate tree with the women of the cooperative to mark the occasion—a symbol of growth, partnership, and hope—sparking a memory for her of when she had done so as a child with her grandfather.

As the women look to the future, they plan for greater autonomy, including transportation to expand their cooperative’s reach. This visit marks a milestone in the ongoing relationship between the EU, HAF, and these Moroccan communities.