Malika Haroual: A Symbol of Women’s Strength

Malika, a widow and a mother of six, is a beneficiary of the EYEM project from Moulay Abdellah. She is a proactive woman, driven by her strong will and self-confidence, which allowed her to capitalize on her five years of experience as a cook to create her own snack-bar. “The EYEM grant helped me to buy the necessary equipment to realize my dream,” Malika said.

Thanks to her know-how, entrepreneurial spirit, and targeted use of the EYEM start-up grant, Malika proudly provides services to her community and is well-known for her good reputation among customers, which has contributed to her impressive achievements.

The Empowering Youth through Entrepreneurship in Morocco (EYEM) project aims to empower youth in the former Doukkala Abda region by using entrepreneurship as a lever for development and engaging youth as important actors in the economic development of the region. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and implemented by the Near East Foundation (NEF) in partnership with the Moroccan Association for the Support and Promotion of Small Businesses (AMAPPE), the Moroccan Social Solidarity Economy Network (REMESS), and alAmana Microfinance, the EYEM project provides training in entrepreneurship, business incubator support, and start-up grants to give young professionals the tools they need to turn their ideas into viable businesses.