The Role of Youth in the Design and Co‑construction of Territorial Projects: Issues and Perspectives

Abstract

This article examines the role of youth in the processes of designing and implementing territorial projects, focusing on the conditions that enable their effective participation in territorial development. It adopts an analytical perspective that considers young people not merely as beneficiaries of public policies, but as key actors in territorial production, capable of contributing initiatives, innovation and project-based dynamics. The study proposes a cross-analysis of the structural characteristics of Moroccan youth and the methodological principles of territorial projects, in order to explore how youth aspirations can be aligned with territorial dynamics.

The research relies on a contextualized qualitative approach combining documentary analysis and fieldwork. Documentary analysis was used to characterize the demographic and socio-economic profile of young people in the Tanger–Tétouan–Al Hoceima region, with a particular focus on the urban center of El-Jebha in the province of Chefchaouen. This was complemented by semi-structured interviews lasting between 30 and 45 minutes, conducted with young people aged 15 to 35. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, supplemented by a snowball technique, and data collection was concluded upon reaching semantic saturation after the 15^th  interview.

The findings indicate that youth participation in territorial projects is strongly shaped by territorial configurations, institutional arrangements and differentiated access to local resources. They also show that inclusive governance frameworks can enable young people to play a structuring role in territorial co-construction. The article underscores the importance of integrating youth into a forward-looking territorial development approach, positioning them as a strategic lever for more inclusive and resilient development trajectories.

Classification JEL: R58

Paper type: Empirical Research