Italian Cooperation in the country

The Italian Cooperation in Morocco represents an important instrument of dialogue and collaboration between the two countries, as Morocco plays a strategic role in the North African and Mediterranean context, and is the recipient of initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and institutional strengthening. Through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Italy supports projects in key sectors such as poverty reduction, microcredit support, cultural heritage protection, environmental sustainability, and water resource management.
Particular attention is also given to women’s empowerment and youth employment. The initiatives are implemented in collaboration with local Moroccan authorities, international organizations, and Italian NGOs operating in the country.
In 2024, the total portfolio of ongoing initiatives of Italian Cooperation in Morocco amounted to €42.7 million. These funds correspond to six initiatives distributed as follows: 3 grants (€6.7 million) 2 aid credits (€20.4 million) 1 debt swap (€15.6 million).

The Italian strategy and the areas of intervention

Italy is active in several strategic sectors, including access to drinking water and environmental sanitation, education, microcredit and job creation, railway infrastructure, and the preservation and enhancement of Morocco’s archaeological heritage.
The total amount of remaining Italian commitments under the aforementioned Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) currently stands at approximately €13 million. In addition to this, €28 million are allocated to ongoing programs linked to agreements signed outside the MoU framework—most notably, the 2013 Debt Conversion Agreement and a project in partnership with ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer).
Moreover, a project is currently being implemented in the field of disability and inclusive education, promoted by the Italian civil society organization OVCI – La Nostra Famiglia, targeting children with disabilities in primary schools.
 

Strategic development document in the country

The priorities of Italian Cooperation in Morocco were established by the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Italy and Morocco in 2009, which defines the priority sectors and areas of intervention. 

Alignment with the local government strategy and harmonization with donor community interventions

Italian Cooperation is progressively aligning with the main strategic plans launched by Morocco, in particular the New Development Model and the recent Integrated Territorial Development Program, presented by King Mohammed VI in July 2025. These frameworks place a strong emphasis on territorial equity, job creation, strengthening of basic services, and environmental sustainability.
Italian Cooperation focuses its actions on priority sectors such as vocational training, support for local SMEs, sustainable water resource management, community-based healthcare, and digitalization of public services, in synergy with other international actors active in the country.
 

Goals and expected results

As part of its activities in Morocco, Italian Cooperation has so far focused its efforts on key sectors such as poverty reduction, access to and sustainable management of water resources, protection and enhancement of cultural heritage, and support for the microcredit sector as a tool for socio-economic inclusion and promotion of local entrepreneurship.
Future priorities will be guided by three main strategic directions:
• The strengthening of food and water security, and the resilience of rural communities and small-scale farmers to the effects of climate change, including through the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and innovative natural resource management systems;
• The consolidation of activities to preserve and enhance tangible and intangible cultural heritage, not only as an element of national identity, but also as a lever for local development and sustainable tourism;
• The promotion of vocational training in sectors with high impact on the country’s socio-economic development, in line with the strategic priorities of the Mattei Plan for Africa.
These actions are accompanied by growing interest in circular mobility and safe and regular migration, which are considered essential tools for strengthening the relationship between Italy and Morocco and for contributing to a shared approach to migration governance, based on shared responsibility, human development, and structured bilateral cooperation

 

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