The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance have signed a financing agreement with a total value of €100 million (around 1.08 billion dirhams), which will benefit from a European Union (EU) guarantee for the scheme covering the inclusive and sustainable management of forests in Morocco. This 5-year operation (2024-2028) will support the “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy and will be implemented by the Agence Nationale des Eaux et Forêts (ANEF).
The project will support the ANEF by financing investment in the Kingdom of Morocco’s national parks and watershed management, including infrastructure and institutional capabilities, with a focus on low mountain regions. This support also complements the European Union “Terre Verte / Al Ard Al Khadraa” programme, with funding of €115 million (almost 1.26 billion dirhams) and a focus on boosting the research & development, training and support/mentoring chain, to consolidate the green transition, which will create decent jobs, and the development of the agricultural and forestry sectors in Morocco.
This support also falls within the scope of the Morocco-EU Green Partnership’s objectives. It is fully in line with national and European priorities, contributing directly to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Special attention is also paid to the impact on gender equality and the creation of employment opportunities for women.