Stakeholders in Sustainable Local Development in Algeria

The book "Stakeholders in Sustainable Local Development in Algeria : A Mediterranean Comparison", coordinated by Omar Derras, compiles the proceedings of an international conference organized by the CRASC in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on Professional Training and Sustainable Development. The volume offers a collective reflection on the dynamics of local development in Algeria from a comparative perspective with the countries of the Mediterranean basin. The various contributions analyze the economic, social, and territorial mutations affecting rural and local areas in Algeria within the context of globalization, decentralization, and sustainable development policies. The authors highlight that local development can no longer be conceptualized solely through centralized state intervention ; rather, it must rely on the participation of a plurality of actors, including local authorities, associations, farmers, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and local populations. The book places particular emphasis on the concept of territorial governance and the importance of citizen participation in development projects. According to the authors, rural territories possess human, cultural, and environmental resources capable of sustaining durable development, provided that local actors are involved in decision-making and project management. This participatory approach emerges as an alternative to centralized administrative models, which have frequently demonstrated their limitations in land-use planning policies.