فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fez – November 25, 2025
Civil society actors and traditional craftsmen in the city of Fez have expressed their strong anger over what they described as “the transformation of an ambitious royal project into a tool for harming artisans,” demanding the opening of an independent investigation into the management of the Agency for Development and Rehabilitation of the City of Fez, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. This discontent comes following the Agency’s announcement, under the presidency of Fouad Serghini, of a decision to evict approximately five craftsmen from their shops within the “Lalla Yeddouna” space and historic fondouks such as Al-Baraka, Al-Qaftan, Al-Samain, and Al-Settaouiyine, starting next Thursday, with seizure of their property, which is considered – according to the complaints – a violation of previous promises to rent these spaces at a symbolic price to support traditional crafts.
Project Background: Royal-American Partnership to Promote Traditional Crafts
This project dates back to a royal initiative launched in 2013, in partnership with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), aimed at rehabilitating and restoring 27 historic monuments in the old medina of Fez, including the fondouks of Al-Baraka (historically used for slave auctions), Al-Qaftan (textile manufacturing center), Al-Samain (space for heritage performances), Al-Settaouiyine (textile innovation center), and Lalla Yeddouna space (heritage information center). The financial envelope for these programs exceeded 583 million dirhams, with a focus on valorizing traditional crafts through training 1,000 trainers and 5,000 craftsmen, and renting spaces at symbolic prices to artisans to enhance their income and the city’s tourist appeal.
According to official reports, the Agency had announced in recorded meetings in 2017 that these fondouks would be included in Fez’s official tourist circuit, with guaranteed continuity of craftsmen’s work within them. However, complainants affirm that these promises “evaporated,” especially with the COVID-19 pandemic that deepened the artisans’ suffering, as no significant tourist turnout has been recorded at these sites despite thousands of visitors passing by them daily, leading to revenues falling to their lowest levels.
Complaints: Spending Millions on Obscure Contracts and Neglect of Craftsmen
Since the Agency’s establishment in 2017, local sources report that it has spent millions of dirhams on contracts related to cleaning, security, and maintenance, without achieving tangible impact in attracting tourists or supporting craftsmen. Complainants accuse the Agency, under Fouad Serghini’s presidency, of transforming these projects into “a tool for harming artisans” through eviction decisions, considering that it lacks transparency and contradicts the original royal objectives for promoting traditional crafts, which employ more than 15,000 artisans in Fez alone, especially in leather, textiles, and tanning sectors.
Civil society actors point out that the eviction decision constitutes “an assault on living heritage,” as these fondouks – historically commercial and social centers – have today become neglected and poorly managed, presenting a negative image to tourists and exacerbating the crisis of craftsmen who have suffered a decline in demand of up to 70% since the pandemic. They also demand clarification of who has the legal authority to evict these spaces and transform them into “tourist attractions” without consulting the artisans, noting that the Agency is responsible for implementation under royal agreements, but lacks effective oversight mechanisms.
Immediate Demands: Independent Investigation and Support for Craftsmen
In a joint statement, civil society associations, including the Oued Al-Jawahir Association and the Union of Traditional Craftsmen of Fez, called for:
- Opening an immediate judicial and administrative investigation into the Agency’s management, particularly regarding spending on cleaning and security contracts since 2017,
- Halting the eviction decision and renting spaces at symbolic prices to craftsmen as promised,
- Including these sites in the official tourist circuit to enhance turnout, with direct financial support for affected artisans,
- Reviewing the partnership with the Millennium Challenge Corporation to ensure achievement of social objectives.
This controversy is part of broader tensions in Fez’s traditional crafts sector, where the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of thousands of workshops and highlighted the need for more comprehensive policies to preserve this national heritage, designated as World Heritage since 1981.
