Transforming Algeria's rural areas through STI and the knowledge economy: the proximity programme for integrated rural development (PPDRI)

To accelerate rural development, the Algerian state has decided on a major programme, the Rural Renewal Programme. One of its main implementation instruments was the Proximity Programme for Integrated Rural Development (PPDRI) consisting of hundreds of outreach projects expected to help rural populations strengthen their basic economic activities. The new combined Science, Technology and Innovation and Knowledge-Based Economy policy (STI-KBE) was put forward by the Development State (DS) ambitioned to support this programme and make it more participatory and inclusive. Our paper addresses four key questions: (i) How does the STI-KBE policy connect with the PPDRI; (ii) What was the role of the developmental state in supporting this programme? (iii) What was the level of participation by rural populations? and (iv) What were the obstacles met in its implementation? To answer these questions, five case studies drawn from the literature were analysed in five Willayas (prefectures) of the country, in addition to the participant observation methodology adopted. Examining the PPDRI through the lens of STI-KBE policy has never been used before and represents our main added value. This is on top of revisiting the original KBE model when applied to rural development, to inform the strategies of the developmental state.