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WHO WE ARE

Who We Are

Dar Si Hmad is a foundation rooted in Southwest Morocco and inspired by a deep attachment to its people, landscapes, and living heritage. Guided by science, enriched by culture, and grounded in community partnership, we work to regenerate ecosystems while cultivating new possibilities for the territories we serve. Our work is driven by curiosity, courage, and the belief that when people and nature thrive together, resilient futures become possible.

Our Inspiration

A legacy of possibility

Dar Si Hmad takes its name from Si Hmad Derhem, whose life and values continue to shape the Foundation today.

Born in southern Morocco and deeply connected to the region, he believed in education, opportunity and the capacity of people to shape their own futures. His life reflected a conviction that knowledge should open possibilities rather than reinforce boundaries.

When his family established and continues to fund Dar Si Hmad, they did so not simply to create an institution, but to carry these values forward.

Today, his legacy lives in the way we work: beginning with people and place, listening to different forms of knowledge, experimenting with what might be possible, and investing in futures that can outlast any single project or generation.

His name gave the Foundation its identity. His values continue to give it direction.

We do not honor Si Hmad Derhem simply by remembering his name.

We honor him by continuing his belief that knowledge must be shared, that prosperity must serve the common good, and that the future of a territory depends on the people who choose to care for it. Every project we undertake, every partnership we build, and every landscape we help regenerate is an expression of that commitment.

It is the legacy we carry.

Learn more about Si Hmad Derhem and the legacy that continues to inspire Dar Si Hmad.

Download his story →

Governance & Leadership

Dar Si Hmad is governed through a structure designed to safeguard its mission, integrity and long-term independence. The Board of Directors provides strategic oversight, while the Executive Direction is responsible for implementing the Foundation’s programmes and managing its day-to-day operations.

Ethics, accountability and responsible governance are not separate from our work; they are part of how we work. Our Audit, Oversight and CSR Committee provides independent-minded oversight of internal controls, risk management, financial transparency, ethical conduct and environmental and social commitments. It monitors the implementation of our ethical and societal commitments, conducts internal reviews and audits, and reports annually to the Board on compliance and identified risks. Where necessary, the Committee can call upon independent external expertise.

Our governance is grounded in integrity, transparency, accountability, equity, inclusion, innovation and sustainability.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Strategic direction, institutional oversight, accountability.

Picture of Dr. Aissa Derhem

Dr. Aissa Derhem

President

Picture of Dr. Rachid Bouharroud

Dr. Rachid Bouharroud

Treasurer

Picture of Mme Mounia Benrhanem

Mme Mounia Benrhanem

Secretary

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Implementation, programmes, operations

Picture of Dr. Jamila Bargach

Dr. Jamila Bargach

Executive Director

AUDIT, OVERSIGHT, & CSR

Author picture

Integrity, responsible practice, equity.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Strategic direction, institutional oversight, accountability.

- Dr. Aissa Derhem, President
- Dr. Rachid Bouharroud, Treasurer
- Mme Mounia Benrhanem, Secretary.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Implementation, programmes, operations

Dr. Jamila Bargach, Executive Director.

AUDIT, OVERSIGHT, & CSR

AUDIT, OVERSIGHT, & CSR

Integrity, responsible practice, equity.

Consultative Committees

The complexity of the challenges we address calls for knowledge that extends across disciplines. Dar Si Hmad therefore draws on specialised expertise to inform its work and strengthen the quality of its programmes and projects.

Our consultative committees bring together expertise in science, the environment and related fields, providing informed perspectives and recommendations to support the Foundation's research, educational and environmental initiatives.

Scientific Committee

Provides expert advice on research projects, educational programmes and academic partnerships.

Environmental Committee

Provides expert advice on environmental, climate, energy and natural-resource issues.

These committees are exclusively consultative and do not hold decision-making authority.