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Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is a coastal city located in western Morocco, along the Atlantic Ocean. It has been part of the UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network since 2019.
groups
City population
122,545
person
Member since
2024
Mayor
President of the Essaouira municipality Mr Tarik Ottmani
Vision
Essaouira aims to improve education by expanding access to pre-school education, improving adult literacy and strengthening lifelong learning opportunities. The city plans to develop both formal and informal education programmes and promote trade through intergenerational knowledge-sharing initiatives. The city’s long-term goals are to bridge the digital divide and facilitate the socio-economic inclusion of women, youth and people with disabilities in order to create a more inclusive and educated community for the future.
As Chairman of Essaouira Council, I am resolutely committed to promoting inclusive, quality community learning for all the people of our city, Essaouira.
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President of the Essaouira municipality Mr Tarik Ottmani
Mayor of Essaouira
Policies, plan and implementation
Sustainability and health
In Essaouira, preserving the environment and natural resources is a priority. Measures include wastewater treatment, waste management, the use of recycled water to maintain green spaces, a green belt to protect the natural environment, awareness campaigns, accessible health services and the integration of hygiene and environmental education into local development plans.
Equity and inclusion
Essaouira prioritizes equality and social inclusion by providing widespread access to education, social centres for literacy and training, and support for people with disabilities. The 2023/2028 Municipal Plan includes accessibility measures, pre-school classes, resources for disabled children, an older adults care facility, social and sports facilities, a near-Olympic-size swimming pool and a new library.
Decent work and entrepreneurship
In Essaouira, access to decent employment and improved incomes are major concerns, not least because of the town’s dependence on tourism. Measures include the provision of career guidance, assistance for graduates, entrepreneurship qualifications for the informal sector, support for young entrepreneurs, women’s empowerment initiatives, and the creation of start-up-focused structures.
Good practices
‘La Maison de quartier’ (The Neighbourhood Centre)
This is a reception centre for women in difficult situations. It aims to improve literacy, socio-economic skills, training and integration in the fields of pastry-making and cooking. The centre also has a crèche for babies and a counselling centre for female victims of violence.
‘Cité des Arts et de la Culture’ (City of Arts and Culture)
This cultural project, scheduled for completion in 2025, confirms the importance of culture and arts education in Essaouira’s development. It will provide practice and training facilities for music and theatre, a music conservatory, a museum of traditional arts, a lecture hall and a book centre.
Houmtna
The Houmtna project began with free English classes for a range of social groups. As part of Essaouira’s learning city plan, its aim is to transform the backstreets of working-class neighbourhoods and other spaces into training and learning centres accessible to all.