French-Moroccan fund boosts local cooperation with 15 new projects in Rabat

The steering committee of the Franco-Moroccan Joint Support Fund for Decentralized Cooperation convened on Wednesday in Rabat for a pivotal session focused on bolstering bilateral initiatives involving local authorities. In this framework, 15 projects have been earmarked, with a combined funding of 26.4 million dirhams (approximately 2.5 million euros).

This initiative aims to enhance operational collaboration and foster innovative regional solutions, according to an official statement. Concurrently, «the two parties have also agreed to initiate a second biennial call for projects (2026-2027), set for launch in the latter half of 2026», the statement noted.

The committee is co-chaired by Morocco's Ministry of the Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Local Authorities (DGCT), and France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, represented by the Delegation for Local Authorities and Civil Society (DCTCIV).

The session was inaugurated by Jelloul Samsseme, Wali and Director General of Local Authorities, alongside Christophe Lecourtier, French Ambassador to Morocco, affirming «the strengthening of ties between Moroccan and French local authorities and the revival of an ambitious dynamic of territorial cooperation».

Since 2012, this collaborative effort has resulted in the execution of four generations of triennial Joint Funds. These initiatives have facilitated the creation of «numerous sustainable partnerships around diverse themes: territorial governance, human resource management, tourism, digital transition, youth, citizen participation, sustainable development, and energy».