Young People Today Live in a World Beset by Crises
Today's young people live in a world plagued by crises, including climate and environmental changes, and global inequalities in food security, nutrition, employment, and well-being.
The potential return on investment in young people is limitless in terms of food security, poverty reduction, job creation, peace, and social and economic stability.
The new direction is clear: giving young people a prominent place in the agricultural sector. This approach is part of the effort to support young people's agricultural projects, offering them constant state support.
A New Project to Stimulate Responsible Investment in Agriculture
The Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency (Apia), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, has launched an unprecedented cooperation project to stimulate responsible investment in the agricultural sector. Called the "Cooperation Project for Responsible Investment, Youth Employment, and Sustainable Development," this program is being implemented with the support of two major international institutions: the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). A budget of $7 million has been allocated for this project, which will run until 2028, aiming to create an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural model.
Revitalizing Rural Areas
The project aims to generate sustainable opportunities for young people, strengthen food security, and develop small-scale agriculture. It will stimulate youth entrepreneurship in rural areas through the establishment of adapted financing and incentive mechanisms and the strengthening of technical and financial support systems.
It will also facilitate the deployment of new production and agricultural service infrastructure, consolidating their anchorage in local value chains, strengthening their skills, and increasing their productivity. Thanks to this project, young people will be able to build a modern, inclusive, and resilient agriculture, capable of revealing the full potential of those who aspire to innovate and create value and employment in their territories.
In perfect harmony with the aforementioned international institutions, the project's major objective is to promote youth employment in agricultural regions. Indeed, it plans to create 1,600 direct jobs in the governorates of Bizerte, Zaghouan, Nabeul, Siliana, Sfax, and Médenine.
These jobs will be generated through the development of sustainable agricultural projects, support for rural entrepreneurship, and the establishment of technical training programs adapted to the needs of the field. By targeting young people, the project aims to combat structural unemployment in rural areas and strengthen the attractiveness of the agricultural sector for new generations.
A New Framework for Project Carriers
The project introduces an innovative approach to agricultural investment, based on social, environmental, and economic responsibility. Project carriers will be supported to integrate sustainable practices: rational management of natural resources, respect for workers' rights, inclusion of women and young people, and transparency in governance.
Apia, in collaboration with FAO and ILO, will establish evaluation and monitoring tools to ensure compliance with the principles of responsible investment. This approach aims to strengthen the sector's resilience in the face of climate, economic, and social challenges.
The project is fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to food security, poverty reduction, equal opportunities, and ecosystem preservation.
By promoting sustainable agricultural models, the program aims to reduce the ecological footprint of production, improve soil quality, and promote adaptation to climate change.
It also plans to enhance local know-how and disseminate innovative agricultural technologies adapted to Tunisian realities.
International Cooperation in the Service of Agriculture
This project embodies a dynamic of strengthened international cooperation. FAO provides expertise in sustainable agricultural policies, while ILO contributes to the integration of decent work standards into agricultural projects.
Apia plays a central role in mobilizing local actors, selecting projects, and monitoring results.
This synergy between national and international institutions allows for the sharing of resources, good practices, and guarantees the long-term impact of the program.
In summary, this project will contribute to making rural areas attractive, participating in regional development and socio-economic balance in rural areas. The objective is also to promote the emergence of a new generation of young agricultural entrepreneurs, while developing a new generation of modern and efficient support mechanisms.
