Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Co-operative partnerships with tourism operators

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Capacity generating and building within local and regional communities to address the challenge of outside marketers buying argan products cheaply and then re-selling them at a marked up price. This means that the local producers receive substantially less profit from their products, while outsiders benefit from the real marketable value, instead of the local producers. Generating partnerships with hotels and guest houses in the area, so that they can market argan products.

The South West of Morocco attracts many tourists. Through partnering with hotels and guest houses, the Argan producing co-operatives can be sure of having their merchandise sold under fair trade practices. The hotels collect a percentage of the profits but this loss is offset by the co-ops receiving the full marketable value for their products.

• Social Entrepreneurship.