Oumour Themmna Morocco (“What Matters to Us”) is a youth-run radio and podcast platform designed to elevate Morocco’s hyper-local concerns to the national stage. Adapted from its acclaimed Tunisian counterpart, the Moroccan edition is implemented by Munathara in partnership with Free Media Alternative for Sustainability (FMAS), International Media Support (IMS), and the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme. Every week, five community stations across Morocco- as well as all major streaming platforms- air episodes produced by young journalists and media creators reporting directly from their communities on human rights and public-interest issues such as migration, social and economic rights, climate change, legal reforms, and gender equality. Each episode blends field reports, expert interviews, and studio debates with live listener call-ins, fostering real-time dialogue between citizens and decision-makers. At the forefront of this initiative is a diverse cohort of participants aged 18 to 30- particularly women and members of marginalized communities- selected through a nationwide competition. They receive intensive training in ethical journalism, audio storytelling, podcast production, and audience engagement, gaining the editorial independence and technical expertise necessary to deliver rigorous, fact-based content. Additionally, the project includes Aji Netnaqchou ("Let’s Discuss"), a podcast offering participants a dedicated space to explore critical issues of local and national concern through insightful conversations with experts and stakeholders. Oumour Themmna Morocco addresses a significant gap in the Moroccan media landscape, where youth perspectives are typically limited to sports and entertainment, and women's voices remain especially underrepresented. By empowering youth with skills and airtime, the project enables them to shape the public agenda rather than simply react to it. This creates a sustainable and inclusive public-media environment, where emerging journalists hold decision-makers accountable, citizens receive reliable, locally relevant information, and diverse voices actively influence policies impacting their communities.
