International Development Grant

Economic Empowerment of Rural Women in Tunisia

Project Number: CA-3-P006552001

Status: Closed

Country/Region:

Tunisia 100.00%

Maximum Contribution: $3,000,000.00

Start Date: December 17, 2018

End Date: March 06, 2023

Duration: 4.2 years

Project Description

The project aims to increase the level of economic empowerment of women in two targeted rural areas of Tunisia by strengthening women's entrepreneurship. The project aims to improve the capacities and skills of women entrepreneurs in both regions facilitate their access to financial services and increase their income. The project activities include: (1) providing training and coaching to women entrepreneurs living in the two targeted rural regions to help them improve and formalize their businesses; and (2) identifying and coordinating the actions and programs of the various private and government actors to promote a more favourable environment for women entrepreneurs in the two targeted regions and at the national level. The project aims to raise awareness of entrepreneurship among 1 000 women in both rural regions support and train 250 women who wish to start a business formally register 120 of these businesses and train and support 50 women with business projects in the consolidation of these businesses.

Expected Results

The expected results of this project include: (1) rural women entrepreneurs increase their sales and income in two pilot regions; and (2) an entrepreneurial environment more conducive to the emergence and development of rural women entrepreneurs in two pilot regions.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of march 2023 include: (1) raised awareness of entrepreneurship among 1 000 rural women in Sfax and Nabeul; (2) identified and analyzed the main sectors and value chains for the inclusion and promotion of rural women entrepreneurs; (3) carried out a survey of 250 rural women with projects to identify their needs and the obstacles they face; (4) trained 120 people in "soft skills" financial education and GET Ahead curriculum (content developed by the ILO); (5) trained 250 women project leaders in business planning project budgeting development strategies and identification of potential customers; (6) supported 124 women project leaders in consultation with members of the regional monitoring committees and with the help of regional authorities; (7) created a platform to market the products of rural women project beneficiaries; (8) supported 60 beneficiaries in formalizing their businesses; (9) validated the study on informal employment by social and governmental partners. The study involving a sample of 11 468 people produced the first national data on informal employment in Tunisia; and (10) drew up and validated the national action plan and the national strategy for promoting women's entrepreneurship and gender-sensitive investment.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
ILO - International Labour Organization

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
WGM Africa

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Vocational training 50%
Business Development Services 50%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal

Policy Markers
Level 2 Gender equality
Level 1 Participatory development and good governance
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2018-04-01 to 2019-03-31 $3,000,000 CAD
Geographic Information
000
Project Number: CA-3-P006552001