The High Atlas Foundation

Through partnerships with local communities, cooperatives, educational institutions, and government agencies, the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) advances integrated development initiatives spanning agricultural resilience, women’s empowerment, youth leadership, environmental restoration, natural disaster recovery, and access to justice. HAF was founded in 2000 by former Peace Corps Volunteers and is committed to community-driven projects to achieve sustainable development in Morocco.

Agriculture is the main source of income for rural Moroccan people, including those in the High Atlas Mountains. Most operators are small landholders who rely primarily on revenue from barley and corn; however, increases in population and low-market value thwart economic growth. Three underserved villages (Igg, Imlil, and Agadir, including 1,683 people) in the Al Haouz province have identified building water infrastructure to improve livelihoods in the agricultural sector. The objectives of this program are to foster water stewardship and gender empowerment through capacity building and to improve livelihoods through fruit tree agriculture.