Tasnim Elboute

Tasnim grew up in Morocco, studied environmental science at Yale University, and returned to her homeland in 2017 – haunted by an experience that had left a lasting impression on her: During a visit to an industrial tomato farm in Morocco, she was shocked by the working conditions of women farmworkers, who were referred to in her lectures as mere “inputs” in the production system. This encounter became the starting point for her mission: to advocate for sustainable agriculture systems that empower communities as self-determined smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs, providing them with dignified, viable and fair livelihoods.

Today, Tasnim leads the High Atlas Cultural Landscapes (HACL) Programme with our partners Global Diversity Foundation and Moroccan Biodiversity and Livelihoods Association. The programme’s focus on biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods aligns with Tasnim’s mission to support community-led development and environmental justice efforts across Morocco. She has built a strong team of conservationists, economic experts and cultural practitioners who develop sustainable livelihood pathways in the High Atlas alongside and together with local, mostly women-led, cooperatives.

Together we enable indigenous groups in Morocco to create sustainable livelihoods through the innovative production, processing, and marketing of local products. At the same time, this revitalises the biodiversity and cultural landscape of the High Atlas.

A world where regenerative solutions flourish and connect, overcoming the destructive status quo and enabling new, sustainable relationships between people and nature.

Tasnim and her team support local cooperatives in developing innovative value-added products and services, implementing regenerative practices, and acquiring solid entrepreneurial skills.

In addition, the cooperatives receive training in digital marketing and receive support in the certification and distribution of their products through the creation of their own “High Atlas Harvest” label.

An example of this is the “Aswik” cooperative, which grows walnuts and offers various product varations – from whole nuts in the shell to walnut oil. Walnut pieces – a byproduct of processing – have not been optimally utilized so far. Aswik is therefore experimenting with the production and marketing of energy bars made from these pieces.

The “Taghia” cooperative is planning an ecotourism project for visitors who want to explore the beautiful surroundings of Zaouiat Ahansal and learn more about saffron cultivation. They can plant saffron bulbs, witness the processing and packaging of saffron, and enjoy local Taghia products such as saffron tea.

The partnership with the ChanceMaker Foundation enables the program to expand to 200 cooperatives between Imilchil and Agadir, a 30,000 km² area. Through the sustainable production and innovative marketing of products and services, fair incomes are generated for up to 5,000 households, and the biodiverse landscape of the Atlas Mountains is preserved.