WYG

This rural development project is one of the largest and most ambitious of those financed by the European Commission in Algeria and focuses on a number of aspects, most notably poverty reduction and the stimulation of rural economic activities. This programme, which forms part of a much larger programme focussing on North Algerian Economic Development, intends on improving the quality of life in the poor rural areas of North East Algeria through the promotion of sustainable rural livelihoods and stabilise the population in that area.

The pro-poor aspect of the programme will also focus on improving the social and economic situation of women and other vulnerable groups. The project is taking place within the framework of the EU-Mediterranean Partnership under which a Free Trade Area is being established between the EU and Mediterranean partners in 2010. It is hoped that the programme will promote socio-economic cohesion and local economic development in the area through the improvement of local socio-economic infrastructure and capacity development, most notably at the local government level. IMC Consulting plans to help develop local government capacity so as to give the latter better means to administer Local Economic and Rural Development programmes.

The project's general objective is to advise the development of infrastructure and business in the area to prepare it for the opportunities that will arise. The project has four main components:

• Capacity building for government bodies and agencies concerned with economic and social development at national, regional and local levels. These include 18 Regional Development Agencies
• Advising on business support services for SMEs including 18 Business Incubators
• Local development, Local development plans for 50 local authorities are being drawn up with pilot infrastructure projects in each
• Training in relation to all of the above

The establishment of a PMU is also essential to the project and will encompass all aspects of project management as well as administering the development fund. It will ensure that all processes, including procurement, meet EU guidelines and will direct the 30+ multi-disciplinary staff in its functions. The PMU will support the government-lead, decentralised and multi-disciplinary approach that this programme requires and will ensure that the programme is implemented alongside essential local partners. The Agency for Social Development is the lead Government Agency and will facilitate the PMU in supervising the implementation of all aspects of the programme.