ADIL – Appui au Développement Intégré Local – Integrated Local Development Support Programme

Introduction

ADIL supports Algeria’s decentralisation reforms by strengthening local governance and stimulating territorial development. Through national policy support, the introduction of a new approach to strategic local development planning and the support of 48 pilot projects in 12 municipalities, the programme promotes in inclusive local development, gender equality and resilient communities, advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on equality, growth, and strong institutions.

General objective (impact)

To support Algeria in its approach to reform in terms of integrated and sustainable territorial development, governance and participatory democracy, as part of the country’s decentralization process.

Specific objectives (results)

1. Support the implementation of reforms aimed at promoting local governance and integrated, inclusive, and sustainable territorial development through capacity-building support to central structures at the national level, within the Ministry of the Interior, Local Authorities and Transport (MICLT).
2. Support the effective exercise by local authorities (and their partners) in their new roles as development actors within decentralization and local governance processes, with a par-ticular emphasis on unlocking territorial potential.
3. Support local authorities in building partnerships and adopting new procurement modalities to ensure their role in local governance and territorial development.

ADIL will primarily contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 10: “Reduce inequalities within and between countries”. The other SDGs to which the programme will contribute are:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
• SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
• SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
• SDG16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions.

Activities

ADIL focuses on translating decentralisation reforms into practical improvements at both national and local level. Through policy support, capacity building and targeted local development initiatives through, the programme stimulates local governments to play key role in territorial development.

To ensure long-term sustainability of these reforms, ADIL works with the MICLT and the national training institute INFPCL to develop innovative training approaches. Through a series of co-creation workshops, new methodologies and tools will be introduced, including training needs assessments, ex-post evaluations, and distance-learning solutions that support continuous professional development across local government institutions.

Component 1: Support to MICLT for decentralisation

At national level, ADIL supports the Ministry of the Interior, Local Authorities and Transport (MICLT) in implementing its decentralisation reforms by strengthening systems, capacities and regulatory frameworks. Key areas of support include:

• Improving statistical data collection and data base management to support strategic local development planning, local governance and territorial development.
• Supporting reform of local public finance systems, introducing a new budgeting model and improving the fiscal system. The objective is to strengthen financial autonomy of the municipalities, improve their investment capacity and promote more efficient public management for local development.
• Drafting and supporting the adoption of implementing regulations needed to operationalise reforms;
• Strengthening the training system for government staff, introducing new and innovative training methodologies and e-learning, and improving performance management.

Component 2: Strengthening municipalities and local development

At local level, ADIL supports municipalities to take on their role as drivers of development. ADIL has developed and introduced a new methodology for strategic local development planning, based on analysis of statistical data, and using a more participatory and inclusive approach. With the support of ADIL, Consultative Committees were set up to ensure participation of CSOs, women, youth and other local actors. With the new methodology, 12 municipalities have developed Local Strategic Plans (LSP), investment plans and identified projects to implement the LSP.

ADIL supports the municipalities and CSOs with the preparation and implementation of 48 local initiatives, providing training to strengthen municipal and civil society capacity in topics such as procurement, project management, financial management, as well as technical training.

ADIL will also support additional strategic development initiatives. Identified initiatives for example are the “Territorial attractiveness of Mostaganem” project and the creation of innovation centres.

Component 3: Partnerships, participation and local entrepreneurship

ADIL strengthens cooperation and inclusive governance by:

• Promoting participatory local governance, with a focus on collaboration between local government, citizens, private sector and other actors.
• Supporting the collaboration between municipalities, exploring the development of a digital platform and an association of municipalities.
• Improving the local business climate by encouraging local entrepreneurship, for example by the creation of innovation centres and training for start-ups.
• Facilitating peer learning and exchange.

Partners and stakeholders

The ADIL programme is implemented through a strong partnership between various stakeholders at different levels, to ensure ownership and sustainability of results.

At national level the Ministry of the Interior, Local Authorities and Transport (MICLT) is the main partner. At local level, ADIL works directly with 12 pilot municipalities across seven wilayas, as well as with wilaya and daïra administrations. Civil society organisations (CSOs) are actively engaged. At the local level the programme also engages local business and entrepreneurs.

VNG International implements ADIL with funding from the European Union and from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Strategic importance and relevance

ADIL plays a strategic role in supporting Algeria’s decentralisation agenda, a key priority of the national government.

At national level, ADIL contributes to modernising local governance systems.  At the local level, ADIL empowers municipalities to take a leading role in integrated territorial development. ADIL also works to improve the local business climate by engaging entrepreneurs and fostering collaboration between local authorities and the private sector.

The programme also promotes partnerships, inter-municipal cooperation, and knowledge sharing. By implementing a systems approach with local governments, ADIL lays the foundation for sustainable, long-term impact that can be scaled beyond the pilot municipalities.

Inclusion is at the heart of the programme. By encouraging the active participation of women, young people, and civil society organisations, ADIL contributes to more inclusive and democratic local governance.

ADIL’s goal is to build stronger local institutions, more resilient communities, and a more inclusive model of local development across Algeria.