Creative Tunisia Project Closes After Six Years of Success

In six years, the Creative Tunisia project has supported 17 economic groups, guided over 2,000 artisans, accompanied 200 craft businesses, developed 350 new collections, and conquered 10 new international markets. The program, funded by the European Union and Italian Cooperation, officially closed its activities on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) between 2019 and 2026, in partnership with the National Office of Handicraft, Creative Tunisia relied on a value chain approach covering the entire production cycle, from raw materials to the final product's commercialization.

According to Leïla Meslati, Director General of Handicraft, some 200 businesses have accessed international markets through their participation in specialized fairs and exhibitions. Ten new export outlets have been opened, complemented by the creation of a traveling exhibition aimed at showcasing Tunisian artisanal expertise abroad.

Social Objectives Achieved

Lassaad Ben Hassine, UNIDO Representative in Tunisia, estimated that the program had fully met its objectives in terms of women's economic empowerment, youth integration into the creative economy, and regional inequality reduction. He also highlighted the structural transformation of the sector, shifting from individual and fragmented production to an integrated and connected ecosystem.

Economic Impact

Sofiane Tekaya, Minister of Tourism, recalled that the project had improved the technical performance of 200 businesses and contributed to the creation of 40 new structures, while equipping several regions with design centers. Six innovation hubs were established in Tunis-Douar Hicher, Mahdia, Gabès, Gafsa, Kasserine, and Sidi Bou Saïd, offering technical training, design, entrepreneurial support, and project incubation services.

The program targeted territorialy anchored sectors: Kef kilim, Sahel traditional textile, Moknine garden pottery, Kasserine alfa, and Gabès plant fibers. Eleven local economic realities, including ceramics, embroidery, and natural fibers, were structured into emerging economic models designed to be replicated in other regional contexts.