PROJECT UPDATE
Project Overview
This initiative supported the Government of Morocco with the preservation and promotion of the heritage and expertise of women in the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve (RBA) in Morocco.
Project Profile
The Technical Assistance Partnership – Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM), with Canadian expert Khaddouj Benkhadra, worked in collaboration with the Government of Morocco and the National Agency to develop Oasis Areas and the Argan Tree (ANDZOA) through its National Argan Tree Centre (NATC) to support the heritage and expertise of the women of the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve (ABR) in Morocco.
While a substantial body of knowledge about ABR and the argan tree sector exists, it remains largely inaccessible. This initiative aims to establish a knowledge management system, ensuring easy access to research outcomes related to ABR and the argan tree sector for professionals, scientists, and the public.
Khaddouj assisted in collecting, structuring, and organizing data, culminating in the design and development of the knowledge management system.
Key Deliverables
- Capacity Support and Training
- Delivered platform launch and training sessions
- Technical Support and Knowledge Products
- Completed a benchmarking exercise
- Delivered the BETA version of the platform
- Developed a knowledge management platform
- Designed the governance framework
Project Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The initiative improved the capacity of ANDZOA to design and manage a knowledge management system.A key lesson learned is that fostering north–south partnerships provides valuable opportunities for cross-learning and leveraging complementary strengths. Collaborative approaches can generate innovative solutions that enhance functionality and improve the experience for end users.
Direct Project Reach:
- 20 participants engaged through activities conducted and project deliverables
Public Engagement (Canada):
- 143 Canadians reached through outreach and engagement activities
Public Engagement Activities:
- Canadian expert Khaddouj Benkhadra:
- Wrote an article on the advancement of the TAI
- Participated in the TAP Climate Action Forum in Halifax and the GAC Lunch and Learn
- Featured in a TAP podcast episode titled Soutenir le patrimoine et l’expertise des femmes pour la production de l’argan au Maroc, part of the “Au-delà des frontières” series
