Capacity-building implementation of the forestry strategy
by the DFG

In 2004, the European Commission launched a twinning initiative aimed at helping certain independent states in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region, such as Algeria, which has an estimated forest heritage of 4,100,000 ha, including 1,700,000 ha of forest. But although this heritage offers society an extraordinary diversity of goods and services, in some places it is being degraded by ever-increasing human pressures, combined with the effects of climate change. As part of its mission to preserve, promote and enhance this rich heritage, the Direction Générale des Forêts (DGF) is firmly committed to a sustainable development approach in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda. The objectives of the National Forestry Strategy for 2035 have been defined with a view to meeting the country’s environmental, social and economic needs.

As an instrument of administrative cooperation, institutional twinning gives beneficiary countries access to the expertise of EU member states in a variety of fields. Of the 6 agreements between France and Algeria, this twinning contract No. DZ 17 ENI AG 01 19, signed on 18 February 2020 and worth €1,370k, is part of the P3A (Programme d’Appui à la mise en oeuvre de l’Accord d’Association) between Algeria and the European Union. A Franco-Italian consortium was set up in conjunction with the Plant Protection and Technical Control Department (DPVCT) of the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture (MADR), the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MASA), the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MiPAAFT) and the Swedish Forestry Agency (Skogsstyrelsen). A number of Algerian scientific and technical institutes and organisations, including INRAA, were also involved.

Christian Dupraz, an agronomist specialising in temperate agroforestry systems at UMR ABsys and President of IUAF, was involved in the project. The aim is to support the Algerian forestry sector by providing the DGF with technical support to strengthen its organisational and operational capacities. This will enable it to effectively implement its National Forestry Strategy as set out in its leaflet. The project, mobilising 50 European experts who will carry out 96 expert missions, comprises 4 components: (1) definition and implementation of a strategy to enhance the value of forest heritage and products, (2) strengthening the capacities of the Forestry Administration in terms of strategic steering and operational efficiency, (3) definition and implementation of a policy for the continuous improvement of skills and (4) improving the implementation of strategic frameworks and the management of international conventions.

Once these 4 aspects had been completed, a strategy for developing forest heritage and products was defined, promoted and disseminated.