Empowerment Project Launched for Moroccan Seasonal Workers in Spain’s Berry Harvest

"Wafira" (which means abundance in Arabic) is a project funded by the European Union through the Mobility Partnership Facility (MPF) mechanism. It differs from other regular migration projects in that it aims to capitalize on the experience of Moroccan seasonal workers who, once back in Morocco, "can undertake and take care of themselves". The project "provides technical support and financial support to these women to enable them to carry out an income-generating activity," it is stated.

To read: Report Reveals Abuse and Dangers Faced by Moroccan Women Migrants in Spain

The project is currently in its start-up phase with 50 Moroccan seasonal workers who arrived in Huelva at the end of 2021 and who are due to return to Morocco next June. In the second phase, 200 other seasonal workers will be taken into account, according to Europa Press. During the first phase of the project, information sessions were organized for the first 500 beneficiaries. The same exercise will be repeated with the 200 seasonal workers who will arrive in Huelva at the end of 2022.

Then comes the mobility phase during which training programs take place to help them design their business plan. Finally, the return and reintegration phase. It consists of the implementation, once in Morocco, of the business plans. To this end, the seasonal workers will benefit from the technical support of the Wafira project teams and ANAPEC and start-up financing during the first twelve months after their return to Morocco.