- The $7 million project aims to create at least 1,200 jobs in Tunisia’s agri-food sector and support young entrepreneurs in launching sustainable agricultural businesses.
- The initiative, implemented by FAO and ILO, focuses on inclusivity by targeting women, people with disabilities, and informal workers transitioning to formal employment.
- Funded by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund, with a $10.5 million contribution from the Netherlands, the project aligns with Tunisia’s Vision 2035 and supports its development goals.
The Steering Committee of the Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Youth and Employment approved a $7 million project to create jobs in Tunisia’s agri-food sector during its second annual meeting on November 18 in Tunis.
This 36-month initiative, “Responsible Agribusiness Investment for Youth Employment, Food Systems Transformation, and Sustainable Development,” marks the first project funded by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF). The project will support young entrepreneurs in launching agricultural ventures while promoting sustainable development.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the International Labor Organisation (ILO) will jointly implement the project. The Ministry of Economy and Planning reported that the initiative will create at least 1,200 direct and indirect jobs. It will offer financial and technical support to young entrepreneurs, helping them launch sustainable agribusinesses.
The project prioritises inclusivity, focusing on women, people with disabilities, and those transitioning from informal to formal employment. The initiative aims to create more equitable opportunities in Tunisia by targeting these groups.
Tunisia’s government and the United Nations launched the Multi-Partner Trust Fund in November 2023. The fund aims to support the country’s efforts to generate decent jobs for youth and boost financial independence. This project serves as a crucial step toward realising that goal.
Government officials, representatives from the United Nations in Tunisia, and delegates from the Netherlands Embassy participated in the meeting. They emphasised the need for a coordinated funding mechanism to back government-led job creation initiatives. The MPTF will provide specific solutions to address Tunisia’s unemployment crisis.
The Netherlands became the first donor to contribute to the MPTF, pledging over $10.5 million. This donation will strengthen Tunisia’s employment efforts and address the high unemployment rate among its youth.
The project aligns with Tunisia’s Vision 2035 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also falls under a broader cooperation agreement signed between the Tunisian government and the UN in December 2020. This agreement aims to support Tunisia’s long-term development and accelerate progress toward the SDGs by 2030.
The MPTF will coordinate efforts and resources to directly address Tunisia’s unemployment challenges. The initiative offers concrete solutions to create jobs for youth, women, and vulnerable populations. Tunisia aims to combat unemployment issues through this project and expand opportunities for decent, sustainable work nationwide.