The Social Development Agency (ADS) is a public establishment under the Ministry of Social Development, Family and Solidarity. Created in 1999, it aims to promote social development throughout Morocco. According to the law establishing it, the ADS is responsible for participating in the financing of social development activities in priority areas and for providing financial and technical support for projects likely to increase the resources of low-income populations and improve their living conditions.
It also contributes to the implementation of small-scale employment and income-generating projects targeting economically vulnerable populations with difficulties in integrating into the labour market. It finances or co-finances social projects and programmes submitted by associations, cooperatives, economic interest groups or any other project leader acting in one of the strategic areas of the Agency’s intervention.
To this end, ADS’ strategy is based on the following three axes:
- Strengthening the capacities of the actors through the Support Programme for Communal Planning in relation with the local authorities concerned and the “TAKWIA” programme for the qualification of associations with the Ministry of Solidarity, Women, Family and Social Development and the United Nations Population Fund;
- Social Insertion through Economic Integration through the three programmes developed by the Agency: “TATMINE” to support local sectors, “MAROC MOUBADARATES” to promote the creation of very small businesses, particularly among young people and “MOUAKABA” to support collective initiatives (cooperatives, MSEs, marketing groups, etc.);
Local support for national social programmes, based on a participatory and local approach in the following five areas:
- the institutionalization of gender equality
- support for the integration of people with disabilities
- support for territorial programmes for the promotion of children’s rights
- support for improving access to education (“Citizen School” and “Preschool” programmes);
- support for improving access to health care
The Agency has several regional delegations and employs 405 people, most of whom are managers.
A bill and a decree to dissolve the ADS are being prepared in the administrative channels*. However, the final decision will rest with the Head of Government, who alone has the power to dissolve or create a new public establishment. In any case, the analysis, widely shared within the government, is that this agency exercises attributions which are taken over by other establishments, more active and more present in the field*.
*The Economist, 21/01/2019
