ESC: Eco Echo in Morocco

Association Train of Future-Larache or Train d'Avenir in Larache consists of a board of professionals and teachers highly committed to civil society development in the city of Larache. Together with young volunteers, we work in the field of local development with a focus on youth with fewer opportunities. Few years after the creation, ATAL organized some activities for immigrants and young persons so as to develop their skills and create a climate of solidarity and cooperation among all members of society. We have close cooperation with the Swedish organization Föreningen Framtidståget. There has been a demand for EVS accreditation in Mediterranean Partner countries, so we started working mainly with EVS volunteering groups, then we started hosting two volunteers every year for local activities in collaboration with our international partner. Thanks to frequent training, study visits and joint activities with our Swedish partner, the staff of ATAL is constantly involved in ATAL’s work and shares it's vision and best practice with it, as for example in the designing and the writing of youth exchanges, training courses and ESC projects. ATAL staff has not only an active role in the selection of the partner organisations of previous cooperation and meetings during past projects (e.g. in Tollare, Stockholm for the PBA project), but also has an important role in studying the feasibility of all the activities on the field, especially regarding the EVS hosting and sending, as well as the implementation of the youth exchange. Indeed, ATAL’s role as a hosting and sending organisation is crucial to overcome the cultural barriers that may result from the encounter of different customs and religious beliefs among the partners. Finally, as previously proven, the active participation of ATAL experienced workers and volunteers will be a valuable asset to the success of the project implementation. The association strengths: - The stabilization of the association organs and basic themes, - Qualified and committed human resources, - A strong presence of international foreign partners, - A rich experience of the association members in the management of social projects. Conclusion: "Strategic planning is the key to success" The association “Train de l'Avenir Larache” is a young association with great ambitions concerning the preservation of the environment and socio-economic development and the revitalization of socio-cultural life. Therefore, after a few years of existence, it wanted to give itself the necessary means to achieve the vision it has for the civil society. The various reflections undertaken since its creation has resulted in the adoption of a four-year strategic plan in each term of office, which crystallizes this vision shared between the association members and its present partners. This plan is an important element in mobilizing human resources in favour of the fight against poverty and precariousness and the promotion of the values of culturalism in the province of Larache.