Initiative for economic stabilization and youth employment

projekt beendet

ContextSince the revolution in 2011, Tunisia has been undergoing profound social and political changes. So far, the government hasn’t been able to fully respond to the continuously high unemployment rate, which particularly affects the youth, young graduates and women. In addition, there is a great economic and social imbalance between the regions: While in the recent past export-oriented supply and manufacturing industries have been developing along the coast, the countries’ inner regions often lack a strong economic structure.In particular rural regions therefore bear a high risk of conflict. Hence, economic development and the creation of more employment opportunities are important prerequisites for political and democratic stabilisation. However, the inner regions are disadvantaged by support structures that should be encouraging innovative business start-ups but remain insufficiently developed. Where business creation does occur, it is often limited to sectors of low competitive value. By contrast, only very few companies are created in sectors with growth potential, such as in the information technology sector.ObjectiveThe employment and income situation, especially of young women and men in disadvantaged regions, is improved.ApproachThe project supports young entrepreneurs in 15 governorates of Tunisia. It comprises three intervention areas.1. Promotion of business creation in the interior of the countryFounders in the interior of the country receive personalised coaching, including in niche areas, to improve business plans and thus to enable them to formalise their company, access financing and increase their income. The project focuses on future-oriented industries with growth potential - for example in information technology, textiles or the recycling of raw materials. In addition, the project supports civil society, private and public organisations in expanding their range of services in entrepreneurship promotion. To this end, cooperation mechanisms in 8 governorates of the country are supported that bring together and represent the respective local ecosystems for entrepreneurs. Their services are improved, expanded and offered in a demand-oriented manner.2. Developing advisory services for companies after formalisationA consultancy service for businesses beginning their activities and production was tested in two pilot projects and is now being expanded in 8 governorates in total. It will support young entrepreneurs to consolidate their company in the critical first years and to exploit growth potential. In the regions of the interior of the country, support committees offer these newly created services. To this end, public, civil society and private representatives have joined forces with the support of the project. The committees also include financial stakeholders in order to facilitate access to financial resources and financial know-how for companies.3. Improving cyberpark services for ICT start-upsIndustrial parks specifically geared to information and communication technology (ICT), so-called cyberparks, are enabled to offer demand-oriented services. 3 cyberparks were supported in developing and implementing strategic plans and in improving their management skills. Young ICT start-ups were taught commercial and industry-specific knowledge in order to be able to develop new products. In a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), young graduates and unemployed persons were trained in application development. The most innovative applications of the participants received awards in a final competition. In addition, the developers were supported in improving their apps in order to offer them on international sales platforms and thus generate income.The political executing agency of the project is the Tunisian Ministry of Industry and Small and Medium Entreprises. Other national partners are innovation and state business centres, business associations, technology and incubation centres and non-governmental organisations.The project is part of the Special Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for the stabilisation and development in North Africa and the Middle East. With the projects of the Special Initiative, the Ministry contributes to creating economic and social prospects for the people in the region. Within this framework, more than 300 million euros have so far been made available for GIZ projects and other implementing organisations in the years 2014 to 2021. The focus is on the promotion of youth and employment, economic stabilisation, democratisation and the stabilisation of neighbouring countries in crisis situations.ResultsSince 2015, the project has helped more than 365 founders and young entrepreneurs in economically weak regions of Tunisia to develop their businesses and create new jobs and income.A concrete example: The new "Startup Tunisia" entrepreneurial fair was held in seven regions in the interior of the country in 2015 and 2016. It was sponsored by private and public partners and supported by the project. As part of the fair, a competition for the best start-up concepts was held. A total of 466 potential founders took part and submitted business concepts online. The jury evaluated elements including the degree of innovation, the maturity of the business plan, market suitability as well as personal commitment and motivation, before then selecting the best project ideas. The project analysed the concepts and identified necessary support services. The result: More than 20 people have already implemented their business ideas, and a further 82 innovative and promising young entrepreneurs were supported on their way to setting up a business, for example in the production and marketing of leather goods.With the support of the project, a total of 1,520 young people, underemployed and unemployed have taken up employment and thus earn a regular income, including 777 women. In addition, 48 entrepreneurs are taking part in an advisory service for growing their business in the two pilot regions of Sfax and Kairouan.

Medium