Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, confirmed the organization of a national forum on camping at the end of this year, involving all stakeholders, including the legislative body, while firmly denying any intention to privatize camping sites.
During a question-and-answer session in the House of Representatives, Bensaid emphasized that dialogue and evaluation remain open to various actors, aimed at ensuring equal opportunities, expanding the base of beneficiaries, and improving the quality of offerings for children, all while respecting the law and prioritizing the best interests of Moroccan youth.
He clarified that circulating news regarding the privatization of camping sites is unfounded, indicating that the ministry is working on finding solutions to enhance funding for the national camping program and to generate additional resources, given the limitations of the allocated budget.
The minister noted that the program is managed in partnership with the National University of Camping according to a clear work plan, recalling the issuance of a ministerial decision specifically concerning the management of the national camping program and the benefits for educational associations. He added that the ministry officially launched the program last January in the presence of various partners, with the door opened for central and regional applications.
Bensaid confirmed that the examination of applications from associations took place in March through joint committees and according to a procedural guide that guarantees transparency and equal opportunities, where the number of associations that applied reached 881, of which 768 were accepted, distributed among national, multi-branch, regional, and local associations.
The government official revealed that field visits to camping centers would be conducted to monitor their readiness, in addition to disbursing annual financial allocations to regional directorates to implement various program activities. He also highlighted the ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Health to ensure health aspects, signing contracts to insure beneficiaries based on specifications that take into account past shortcomings.
Regarding the nutrition of beneficiaries, the minister confirmed that directives were issued to regional directorates to implement a unified nutrition program that meets the needs of children during the camping period.
Concerning the criteria for selecting beneficiary associations, the minister stated that all conditions are outlined in the procedural guide for 2025, which includes having a valid legal status, a minimum of five years of experience, membership in the National University of Camping, as well as no previous violations and having an active account on the digital portal for youth institutions associations.
Bensaid concluded by asserting the adoption of a detailed evaluation system that includes seniority, the number of branches, completed activities, partnerships, educational qualifications, and the representation of women and youth, while considering spatial equity in the distribution of quotas across various regions.
