Created in Morocco in 1994 by Yasmina Filali, the Fondation Orient-Occident (FOO) is a family-run non-profit organization conceived as a bridge between the two shores of the Mediterranean. Its mission is to empower migrants, refugees and young Moroccans who come from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, offering them social and psychological support through education and employment within socio-educational and vocational training centres.
With a presence in Rabat, Oujda, Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Fes and Larache, as well as in Italy, the Foundation has developed an original approach to issues around migration and has received recognition and numerous international accolades. Thanks to its welcome centres, which provide much-needed counselling and training, the work of the Foundation assists migrants wishing to permanently return to their countries of origin and works to ensure successful integration for those residing in Morocco.
Furthermore, over the years, it has acquired expertise in implementing new community development projects in rural areas, aimed at improving the lives of local people from a holistic point of view. Migrants du Monde is a sewing and embroidery workshop in Rabat which supports the integration of migrant and refugee women into Moroccan society. It has been in operation since 2010.
