Local Capacity Building for Children and Youth

Children and youth are the core capital of any society. Investing in enhancing their quality of life paves the way for a healthier and more dynamic society in their adulthood and beyond.

Through interactions between the residents of Morvarid village, local facilitators, and Matmaa’s CSR department, community members expressed concerns regarding the lack of cultural, athletic, and recreational facilities for children and youth. Conversely, Matmaa Mining Group views the younger generation as future adults who will interact closely with the mining operations. Consequently, fostering their skills, culture, and education will cultivate more constructive future relations and mitigate potential conflicts.

The Morvarid Library Project

In March 2022, initiated by Hossein Norouzi, Matmaa Mining Group’s CSR department launched and supported the Morvarid Library initiative. Currently, the library is managed by a local young woman from the village. In cooperation with the Village Islamic Council, a room with independent access in the council building was designated for the library. All existing amenities have been provided through community participation.

In Morvarid village—the primary host community for the Morvarid Iron Ore Mine—there was a stark lack of facilities and services to provide a joyful and enriching childhood experience for local children. Addressing this gap and responding to the needs voiced by local families, Matmaa’s CSR department integrated the establishment and support of the Morvarid Library into its agenda in March 2022.

Initially, the library began operations managed by a young woman from the village. With the support of the Village Islamic Council, a room with independent access within the council building was allocated to the library. All facilities were gathered through collective contributions; some were supplied by Matmaa, while others were secured by mobilizing donors across the network of Matmaa’s executives, employees, and the local residents.

Following the implementation of the local child and youth empowerment plan—which focused on training local facilitators—the number of active young women managing the library increased to four by 2025. They collaboratively manage library affairs, conduct educational workshops, run an on-site kindergarten, host themed and seasonal events, and screen educational animations.

The next major milestone occurred when local facilitators requested management’s support for a larger space. Consequently, in the winter of 2025, the CSR office building in the village was fully dedicated to the Morvarid Library. After the necessary preparations, the library commenced operations in its expanded location at the beginning of 2026.

Over the years, the library has become a hub for children and youth to read, borrow books, play group games, attend workshops, and spend quality time with peers. As the primary patron of the library, Matmaa’s CSR department provides ongoing support, including:

  • Covering the venue’s rental costs.
  • Funding the salaries of the local facilitators employed at the library.
  • Allocating a petty cash fund for current expenses, such as stationery, internet connectivity, cleaning, and maintenance.

Supporting the Morvarid Village School

In 2021, the lower secondary school (grades 7 to 9) was established in Morvarid village. One of the most significant achievements of the collaboration between Matmaa’s CSR department and the school was the launch of these secondary classes. Prior to 2021, education in the village was limited to the primary level. The head of the CSR office in Morvarid held meetings with parents and the school principal to emphasize the necessity of pursuing this issue and its positive impact on the children’s future, highlighting a strictly collaborative approach.

Currently, Morvarid village operates a single school covering both primary and lower secondary educational levels. Matmaa’s CSR department maintains direct communication with the school principal, actively contributing to enhancing the quality of educational services based on identified needs.

One of the most significant milestones of this collaboration was establishing the lower secondary classes (7th, 8th, and 9th grades). Prior to 2021, education in the village concluded at the primary level. Although the student population in Morvarid and its satellite villages met the capacity requirements set by the Ministry of Education, residents had faced administrative hurdles in launching the secondary level. The head of the local CSR office organized meetings with parents and the principal to address this bottleneck, outlining the critical steps needed and the profound long-term benefits for the children. Furthermore, they guided the villagers through the formal application process with relevant departments. This synergy represents a successful model of non-financial corporate partnership, leveraging mutual capabilities to drive positive social change.

Additional support provided by Matmaa Mining Group in cooperation with the school includes:

  • Sponsoring industrial and scientific field trips to the Morvarid Mine and other manufacturing plants across Zanjan Province.
  • Purchasing and donating required school equipment, supplies, and participating in school building renovations.
  • Distributing seasonal and celebratory gifts to students and the educational staff.
  • Supporting remedial and supplementary classes for students by funding teachers’ fees and utilizing the spaces of both the library and the school.
  • Providing lunch for school staff and teachers working double shifts. The meals are sourced from two local women-led kitchens in the village, with Matmaa covering the expenses.
  • Securing and donating sports equipment to the school by facilitating communication between the village CSR unit and the General Directorate of Sports and Youth of Zanjan Province.