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The Mediterranean Encounters of Nouakchott were the stage for inspiring exchanges and innovative ideas, thanks to excellent panelists. Comprising representatives from NGOs, associations, journalists, and leaders of innovative businesses, these experts debated two crucial topics for the future of Mauritania.
Environnement : Innovation in Waste Management
Moderated by Houleye Kane, journalist-consultant specializing in Gender-Media, this first panel focused on a central theme: innovation in waste management. In Mauritania, where the majority of waste is buried and there is a lack of an effective management system, this issue is of particular importance.
The discussions explored not only individual responsibility in waste management but also collective responsibility at the municipal and governmental levels. It was emphasized that each citizen can take action within their household and community, but it is also essential to implement solutions at the national level.
Initiatives such as Innovrim were highlighted, promoting social innovation in this field. Solutions like Smart System Services, which focus on waste collection and tracking, were also praised. Moreover, activist NGOs such as Ensemble are fighting for waste reduction and carrying out awareness and cleanup actions, contributing to better waste management at the local level.
Social and Solidarity Economy : Opportunity for Youth Inclusion
The second panel, moderated by Djeinaba, President of the citizen organization Je m’engage!, addressed an emerging topic in Mauritania: the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). Although this concept is neither regulated nor legislated, it is already being applied by many Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Speakers, including Sidi Khalifou, president of Eco Dev, Papa Kadé Camara, representative of the NGO Global Health, and Dounya Bouyenna, representative of the NGO Fight Against Poverty and Support for Vulnerable Classes, discussed the prospects of adopting a legal framework for SSE in Mauritania. They also explored best practices to promote collaboration between change actors in order to develop and sustain projects while mobilizing funding.
This panel highlighted the need for a fairer and more sustainable Mauritania, promoting youth inclusion solutions through the SSE.
In conclusion, these exchanges reinforced the importance of social and environmental innovation in Mauritania and contributed to laying the foundation for strengthened collaboration between public, private, and civil society actors for a more supportive and sustainable future.
The J-MED initiative supports civil society actors working in favor of youth in the Mediterranean. The call for projects is managed by the Mediterranean New Chance Network (MedNC) and is supported by the Government of Monaco, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Fondation de France, in partnership with IECD – European Institute for Cooperation and Development. Special thanks to the French Institute of Mauritania and the Cooperation and Cultural Action Service of the French Embassy in Mauritania for their support in organizing this event.
