32 Empowered Youth and Women in Southern Tunisia through Employment
Their journey to achieving viable and sustainable livelihood in Tunisia, through the “Accelerated Creation of Employment in Medenine” programme.
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Empowered youth and women in Southern Tunisia through employment. Their journey to achieving viable and sustainable livelihood in Tunisia, through the “Accelerated Creation of Employment in Medenine” programme.
Empowering 32 Young Tunisians
Youth unemployment is an overarching problem in Tunisia.
In the South of Tunisia, in the governorate of Medenine, it is rare to see women like Kalthoum, Salma, and Wissem rushing to their workplace to stitch, design and sew clothes, or to make natural cosmetics in their very own workshops, or sell particular services, even work in companies in the private sector.
It has only been less than one year since Salma, Wissem, and Kalthoum — to name a few — started their own business with the help of the DRC economic recovery and livelihood programme, supported by the Danish International Development Agency through the Programme Innovation and Business Engagement Unit.
Nonetheless, they already feel empowered within their community, and ready to expand beyond the local market.
Tunisia's youth are not only struggling financially, but they are also economically disenfranchised. Many unemployed young women and men believe they will never be able to find jobs and start their careers. Apart from all the other reasons why it is necessary for society to give it the highest priority, youth employment is critical for social and economic stability and prosperity.
Going into this training, I had the expectation it would be completely theoretical. Not only did it help me conceptualize my dream of starting my own business, it also created an income for my family.
Karima Ghroul
Accelerated Creation of Employment in Medenine
The “Accelerated Creation of Employment in Medenine” programme contributes to solving the issue of high youth unemployment rates and economic exclusion.
ACREM at a glance
Over 100.000 Euros invested in programme implementation;
Over 105.000 Dinars granted to new entrepreneurs to create small businesses;
Over 150 hours of trainings and personalized support;
Over 6 types of trainings and mentorship: entrepreneurship and business development, market analysis; marketing and communications; customer relations development; to name a few;
15 female job seekers placed in several companies in the private sector;
17 businesses founded and carried out in Medenine.
Women-led businesses: The journey to viable and sustainable livelihood
Kalthoum, Salma and Wissem are ACREM-made entrepreneurs. Thanks to small grants and entrepreneurship training ranging, they have taken their life to the next level and became entrepreneurs. While they are still facing numerous challenges, theyfeel more confident than everand focus on the bright side,and on growing their business.
"I feel transformed. I turned from unemployed to an entrepreneur. Perhaps the main lesson I learned from my journey to becoming an entrepreneur is to not give in to limiting beliefs that women cannot be successful and earn a living, especially in Medenine."
"I hope for more programming like ACREM to support like-minded Tunisians who are looking for livelihood opportunities just like I was. My ambition for the future is to find investors to help me expand my laboratory to establish a national research unit. I also want to expand geographically to other governorates in Tunisia and abroad," says Wissem.
Wissem Karchoud, Founder of Anthèse — natural cosmetics business
