Territorial Approaches to Youth Economic Inclusion : Lessons from an Integrated Youth Economic Inclusion Pilot in the Marrakech–Safi Region 2019-2025

Overview & Synopsis

Addressing structural barriers to youth economic inclusion has been a long-standing priority for the Government of Morocco. In this context, the Project Supporting the Economic Inclusion of Youth (PSIEJ) was launched as a pilot to test integrated, territorial approaches to employment promotion in the Marrakech–Safi region between 2019 and 2025. The project aimed to strengthen local employment services and expand demand-driven vocational training, particularly for women and youth not in employment, education, or training (NEETs) in rural areas. Implementation was significantly affected by external shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 El Haouz earthquake, and a prolonged drought, which disrupted operations and constrained labor market opportunities. Despite these challenges, the project achieved tangible results: over 26,000 young people accessed employment, training, or entrepreneurship pathways, and 1,665 formal enterprises were created, with notable participation by women. These outcomes demonstrate the resilience and effectiveness of integrated territorial approaches in advancing youth economic inclusion.