High Atlas Foundation Morocco

Why this project matters

Rural Morocco is home to roughly one-third of the population, where livelihoods are heavily dependent on agriculture. Yet income opportunities remain limited and uneven, with many smallholder farmers in the project region earning only a few hundred dollars annually—constrained by low productivity, limited market access, and structural inequalities. Women play a central but often under-recognized role: while land ownership is typically male-dominated, rural outmigration leaves women responsible for farming and household management. At the same time, persistent barriers to education and high levels of illiteracy restrict access to economic opportunity and reinforce intergenerational poverty in rural areas. 

Together with HAF, our Acorn project addresses these challenges through a community-driven approach that links agroforestry to carbon finance. Carbon revenues enable smallholders to reinvest in locally defined priorities—such as water infrastructure, women’s cooperatives, and education—strengthening both livelihoods and long-term resilience. Supported by strong partnerships with farmer cooperatives and government institutions, the project demonstrates a scalable pathway to deliver measurable climate outcomes alongside inclusive rural development. 

Project impact

The project has already undertaken the following activities: 

• Agroforestry design created 

• First training sessions by lead farmers for their local community