CITY STRATEGIES & GOVERNANCE
Local development strategy as a way to improve economic conditions in Chefchaouen
This Agency is focused on promoting entrepreneurship and boost local economy. It’s a dynamic agent in local economic development, gathering the different agents, ideas and resources available. It’s closely linked to the municipality, to the strategic plan of the city and it has its own structure.
Tags: Citizen Participation, Employment, City Development, Strategic Planning
Challenges addressed
- Promote local economy and entrepeneurship
- Encourage endogenous capabilities
- Citizen empowerment
Main objectives
The purpose of local economic development and entrepreneurship promotion is to build up the economic capacity of a local area to improve its economic future and the quality of life for all. It is a process led by the municipality where public, business and nongovernmental sector partners work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment generation, as well as social improvement, environmental preservation and institutional process.
It’s a bottom-up process , where all the different ideas are discussed and agreed. Based on citizen participation and on a SWOT analysis, the local economic development main objective is to promote the endogenous economic potential by encouraging entrepreneurship in the key identified economic sectors.
Facts
Project description
The AMD is a key achievement of Chefchaouen’s municipality. It’s an operational way to implement a local development strategy and improve local production system. Tourism, agri-food, craft and creativecultural industries are the identified strategic sectors to apply quality criteria, innovation and sustainability. To do this, the AMD offers advanced services supporting production, especially for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Agency objectives also include seeking for international funding and partnership.
Impact and results
The main projects developed are:
- Tourism observatory
- Tourism promotion Quality brand: “Chefchaouen-Mediterranean Diet”
- Centre for Local Economic Development (especially focused on women)
- Handicrafts Union
