Analysis of Employment Policy in Morocco and Formulation of the European Union's Strategy and Intervention Modalities in the Sector

Among southern partner countries, Morocco is one of those maintaining the most developed relations with the European Union. An association agreement entered into force in 2000 and an action plan was adopted in 2013 within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The country obtained "Advanced Status" in 2008, which demonstrates the commitment to strengthen cooperation between the Union and Morocco, and to further support economic and political reforms capable of ensuring the development of a democratic, socially equitable and inclusive society, and economic integration. The National Employment Promotion Plan 2017-2021 (PNPE), adopted by the Moroccan Government, targets five objectives: create 1.2 million jobs and employment opportunities; improve the employability of nearly one million job seekers; offer incentives within the framework of paid employment to 500,000 job seekers; support the creation of 20,000 small businesses and maintain a labour force participation rate of over 46%. The objective of this project is a) to analyse the situation of the employment sector and existing promotion and support measures and b) to define the conditions and potential guidelines for EU support and intervention in favour of employment policy in Morocco. The analysis resulted in the formulation of recommendations on areas of intervention for new European Union initiatives in the field. It focuses in particular on the following aspects: Analyse the regulatory framework and national employment strategies. Provide an overview of the progress status of key stakeholders in this sector, at national and regional levels. Provide an overview of ongoing or planned initiatives to address employment issues, implemented by national authorities, the EU and other donors. Conduct an assessment of the gap between labour market supply and demand. Identify good practices and replicable employment policies, also taking into account successful experiences in the EU and similar countries. Prepare a methodological approach for EU intervention in the sector: opportunity study, identification of scopes or niches, feasibility, potential modalities and instruments enabling optimal support with impact and results, with breakdown where appropriate by type of target population and territory (women, youth, migrants, rural populations, persons with disabilities, etc.). Produce, based notably on the above elements, a mapping of all actors, both state actors (ministries, institutes, agencies) and private sector actors (private universities, higher education institutes, etc.), financial institutions supporting the sector as well as civil society involved.