Improving Job Prospects for Tunisian Youth

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IYF and Tunisian Ministry of Employment Sign Joint Agreement

The International Youth Foundation (IYF) and the Tunisian Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that lays the groundwork for close multi-sector cooperation to improve economic outcomes for Tunisian youth.

As part of their joint commitment, the two parties agreed to lead efforts that will:

  • Expand job opportunities for young Tunisians
  • Improve employability-related knowledge and skills for young people
  • Promote the development of small enterprises and self-employment among youth
  • Build the capacity of youth-serving organizations
  • Encourage sharing best practices in the field of youth employability

 

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was presided over by Mrs. Faiza Kallel, Executive Director for the Promotion of Employment at the Ministry. IYF was represented at the ceremony by Jean-Pierre Isbendjian, Regional Program Director and Mr. Imed Zouari, Tunisia Country Director. The new agreement builds on Tunisia Works, an initiative of IYF that supports and expands job training, entrepreneurship, and citizenship opportunities across the country.

“Tunisia’s government is committed to improving the economic prospects for their country’s youth,” said Bill Reese, President and CEO of the International Youth Foundation. “We are very pleased to be joining forces with the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training so together we can expand those job training opportunities by scaling up effective programs that are making a real difference in young people’s lives.”

At the signing ceremony, Mrs. Kallel noted: “We believe building partnerships between the public and private sector, civil society, as well as leveraging the know-how of international organizations such as IYF, can help job-seekers access economic opportunities and better prepare them for the job market.”

Launched in 2012 and funded through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), Tunisia Works is a two-year program that aims to address the country’s high youth unemployment rates by building the capacity of local organizations to support high-quality youth employability, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement projects in four regions of the country.

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