The launching seminar of the pilot action programme for rural development and agriculture in Algeria (PAP-ENPARD-Algeria) was held on Monday 10 April 2017 in Algiers, in the presence of representatives of the various Directorates-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries (MADRP) as well as an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The seminar was introduced by an opening speech done by the Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Algeria, John O'Rourke.

​

This pilot action programme between Algeria and the European Union is part of the ENPARD South initiative. The programme was formulated within the framework of the ENPARD South Support Programme carried out by the CIHEAM - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Montpellier (CIHEAM-IAMM) since early 2012, one of whose objectives is to pre-identify and support the setting up of projects which could be financed by the European Commission within the framework of its neighbourhood policy.

​

The main goal of the PAP-ENPARD-Algeria is to improve living conditions in rural areas through increasing incomes and creating jobs by encouraging diversification of the economy and supporting the economic revitalisation of rural areas. To that extent, this programme fits perfectly into the current agricultural and rural development policy of the Algerian government but also meets the objectives of the Association Agreement. The PAP-ENPARD-Algeria has a budget of 20 million euros, financed equally by Algeria and the European Union.

​

This programme is intended to be participatory and intersectoral and aims at pooling and enhancing local resources by encouraging synergy between stakeholders of various economic sectors within the territory (agriculture, agri-food, crafts, tourism, etc.). The main activities will be carried out through calls for proposals to which local stakeholders will have to respond by expressing their needs and presenting the initiatives they wish to conduct to support territorial development. The priority resided in the emergence of a participatory process aimed at identifying sustainable rural development projects carried out by territorial stakeholders.

​

The PAP activities began on 4 September 2016 for a period of four years. The first six months enabled to achieve participatory territorial diagnoses in the four pilot wilayas (Aïn Temouchent, Tlemcen, Laghouat and Sétif) thanks in particular to the support of local authorities and professional associations and to draw up an initial annual work plan for 2017.

​

For further information on the PAP-ENPARD-Algeria, you are welcome to download the programme brochure (in French and Arabic) and to subscribe to their Facebook page.