Young graduates, parents, families, the European Union in Morocco, diplomatic representations, key figures from the sports industry, partners from the private sector, teachers and sports associations all met on 28 October 2021 in Casablanca to congratulate the 27 young people who have completed the first SAME socio-economic integration programme for young people returning from sub-Saharan and Moroccan diasporas.

This initiative was led by the Moroccan NGO TIBU, a pioneer in the integration of African young people through sport-related careers. It was part of the South-South Cooperation Action on migration, co-financed by the European Union (EU), and it promoted exchanges between Morocco, Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal on matters relating to migration. It was carried out in cooperation with the project “Sport for Development”.

“This innovative programme has shown that sport is a vector for creating the social cohesion that promotes integration. It offered the young people the opportunity to acquire new skills and better understand Moroccan society on a personal and professional level. Today, we are pleased to celebrate the enthusiasm, conscientiousness and social engagement of 27 young people who have been able to integrate professionally and socially in Morocco” declared Ms Anne Simon, who represented the European Union in Morocco at this event.

The SAME programme lasted for ten months from January to October 2021. It allowed 27 young people returning from Ivorian, Malian, Senegalese and Moroccan diasporas to gain access to the job market thanks to multidisciplinary training based around their passion: sport.

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Press release