Results of the Project "Towards Better Integration between Cultural Heritage Protection, Tourism, and Local Economy in World Heritage Sites after the COVID-19 Pandemic" to be Officially Announced
The results of the project "Towards Better Integration between Cultural Heritage Protection, Tourism, and Local Economy in World Heritage Sites after the COVID-19 Pandemic" will be officially announced on November 24, 2025, in the city of Sousse. This project is part of the ongoing cooperation between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Japanese Trust Fund (Funds-in-Trust Japan). Spanning three years, it aims to restore the economic and cultural life of the Medina of Sousse after the major impacts of the pandemic. The project is being implemented under the supervision of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb, in partnership with the National Heritage Institute (INP), the National Office of Tunisian Crafts (ONAT), the Municipality of Sousse, as well as the delegations and regional representations of the mentioned institutions. The project aims to reactivate traditional craftsmanship by offering artisans new sources of income, training a new generation of artisans through the creation of a center dedicated to promoting and developing skills, supporting innovation through the integration of modern design techniques, strengthening the local economy, encouraging marketable handicraft products, and reviving the Medina by creating a sustainable economic and cultural dynamic. In this context, the National Heritage Institute has conducted, since November 2023, a comprehensive inventory of the artisans of the Medina. Thirty-nine artisans practicing 13 different trades have been registered, and ten of them have been selected in a first phase to participate in training and joint collaboration sessions under the supervision of experts in design and heritage enhancement. Work is currently underway, in coordination between the UNESCO Regional Office for the Maghreb States and the various concerned institutions, to valorize the results of this phase. This will be done through the organization of a series of exhibitions aimed at showcasing the project and the participating artisans through a set of events. The first exhibition will take place at the Dar Bey Cultural Center in the city of Sousse (from November 24 to December 24, 2025). The objective is to instill a cultural dynamic in the site and highlight the importance of preserving existing economic and social activities to ensure the sustainability of its heritage value, according to a statement published by the INP. A statement from the UNESCO Regional Office in Tunis specifies that the November 24 event will include the announcement of the project's main results, as well as the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the products of the participating artisans. The exhibition will remain open for a whole month, with the possibility of being transformed into a traveling exhibition in different regions. According to the same source, the project to revitalize artisanal heritage and support local employment stems from the conviction of the importance of the Medina of Sousse, which has been inscribed on the World Heritage List since 1988. Although it is one of the most important historical centers, it has experienced a significant decline in its artisanal activity over the past few decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the difficulties of artisans, disrupting economic life and leading to the closure of many workshops and shops.
