Jil-Siyaha Programme Concludes After Four Years of Youth-Led Tourism Development in Algeria

By Dr. Hana Saada

The Algero-European programme JIL-SIYAHA wrapped up on Sunday after more than four years of implementation aimed at strengthening youth inclusion and employability in Algeria’s tourism sector across four pilot wilayas.

The programme, financed jointly by the Algerian Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts and the European Union, covered Sétif, Djanet, Timimoun and Tlemcen, regions selected for their significant natural and cultural potential.

It targeted young artisans, start-ups, entrepreneurs and self-employed individuals aged between 18 and 35, with the aim of integrating youth into the tourism value chain and enhancing local economic development.

According to the EU delegation in Algeria, the initiative introduced an innovative approach placing young people at the centre of tourism development, positioning the sector as a key driver of employment and territorial development.

The programme was presented as a model for integrated development, encouraging youth to become active contributors to their local territories through the creation of projects, innovative solutions and income-generating activities, while also improving local tourism governance.

During the closing ceremony, participants were introduced to new tools and methodologies aimed at modernising local tourism management. The programme also supported reforms in tourism training systems in coordination with national employment and labour institutions, in order to align skills with labour market needs.

Several initiatives were implemented under JIL-SIYAHA, including entrepreneurship competitions such as “FIKRA-SIYAHA”, encouraging innovation in environmental protection, heritage preservation and digital transformation to promote Algeria as a tourism destination.

The programme also contributed to the development of regional tourism routes under “Massalik El Ghad”, including the Kel Ajjer route in Djanet, the Babor Mountains route in Sétif, the Ksour of Gourara route in Timimoun, and the Olive route in Tlemcen, all aimed at structuring sustainable tourism destinations.

The EU delegation’s head of cooperation, Marco Migliorelli, said the results achieved reflect progress in tourism governance and youth engagement, announcing a new upcoming EU-funded programme titled “Massalik” focused on youth, local development and culture under the Mediterranean Pact.

He added that the EU aims to support Algeria in raising its annual tourist arrivals from 3.5 million to 8 million.

Officials involved in the programme highlighted improved local tourism governance through the establishment of local tourism committees and the development of action plans in the four pilot wilayas, with selected projects focusing on tourism routes and alternative accommodation models.