State-Region Program Contracts: Instruments of Advanced Regionalization – Challenges and Perspectives for the Fez-Meknes Region

Auteurs

  • ZMARROU Safaa
  • ELJADDAOUI Abdelhakim

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14777895

Mots-clés :

Advanced Regionalization, Program contract, New Public Management.

Résumé

Abstract

As part of Morocco's Advanced Regionalization (AR), the State-Region Program Contracts (CPER) are crucial for structuring territorial development by tailoring actions to local specificities. However, their implementation is hindered by major challenges. Drawing on New Public Management (NPM), institutional theories, and governance theories, this study explores the dynamics of these contracts through a qualitative analysis within the Fez-Meknes region council. The qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 25 senior officials responsible for overseeing CPER projects, document analysis, and observations.

This study highlights several key issues in the implementation of the program contracts. Coordination and communication difficulties between actors undermine the effectiveness of the projects, while the lack of financial and human resources, as well as gaps in technical skills, and limit their potential. Moreover, the governance mechanisms and project monitoring systems are insufficient, leading to delays and inefficiencies. Lastly, economic crises and political changes have a significant impact on the stability and continuity of initiatives, complicating their long-term realization.

To improve the effectiveness of the CPER, the study recommends a set of criteria including context evaluation, stakeholder mobilization, performance, and flexible governance mechanisms. These recommendations aim to establish contracts that are better suited to regional realities, strengthening inter-institutional coordination.

Keywords

Advanced Regionalization, Program contract, New Public Management.

Bibliographies de l'auteur

ZMARROU Safaa

(Doctoral student)

Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University/ The Poly Disciplinary Faculty of Taza, Laboratory for Political and Economic Legal Research, Morocco

ELJADDAOUI Abdelhakim

(Professor of higher education)

The Poly Disciplinary Faculty of Taza.  Laboratory of Political and Economic Legal Research, Morocco..

 

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Publiée

2025-01-31

Comment citer

ZMARROU Safaa, & ELJADDAOUI Abdelhakim. (2025). State-Region Program Contracts: Instruments of Advanced Regionalization – Challenges and Perspectives for the Fez-Meknes Region. African Scientific Journal, 3(28), 197. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14777895