edc.org’s Post

#WeTransformedTogether: Morocco FORSATY REAL Investing in youth is not just a development priority—it’s a matter of global stability. Programs that support young people to thrive and contribute to their communities become essential tools in preventing violence and building more peaceful, resilient communities. That’s the vision behind the Morocco Research for Adaptation and Learning (REAL) Program, led by EDC and launched in 2024 to work alongside USAID’s Favorable Opportunities to Reinforce Self-Advancement for Today’s Youth (FORSATY Plus) initiative. REAL aimed to effectively measure how interventions—particularly those grounded in positive youth development (PYD) can impact youth and community resilience to violent extremism. Based in northern Morocco, the program emphasized themes of individual and community resilience, data-driven decision-making, and locally led systems strengthening, and was built around three core pillars: 1️⃣ Longitudinal research to better understand how programs affect youth well-being and vulnerability over time 2️⃣ Capacity building for Moroccan institutions and partners to lead their own monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive learning efforts 3️⃣ A collaborative learning network to share findings, surface insights, and shape stronger programs and policies at the national and regional level Though the program ended suddenly in 2024, the need for this work remains urgent. Helping communities in Morocco and beyond understand what works—and why—when it comes to preventing violence and empowering youth is critical – to both local and global goals of peace and prosperity.