The Italian Cooperation and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) recently signed a new funding agreement in Tunis to launch the project “Tunisie Professionnelle – Strengthening Employment in Tunisia through Dynamic Vocational Training.”
With a total budget of €6.5 million, fully financed by the Italian government, this three-year project aims to improve youth employability in Tunisia through the modernization and development of the national vocational training system.
Implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, the project will focus on enhancing the quality, accessibility and relevance of vocational training programs, especially for young people and women.
It will support the modernization of training centers, introduce innovative teaching methods, and strengthen partnerships between public institutions and the private sector.
This new agreement continues a long-standing partnership between Italian Cooperation and UNIDO. Aligned with Tunisia’s Vision 2035 and national priorities, the project represents a strategic investment in the country’s human capital and long-term development.
“Tunisie Professionnelle” also reaffirms the joint commitment of both partners to achieving real impact, consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
Speaking on the occasion, Italy’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Alessandro Prunas, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Tunisia’s vocational training sector, in line with the Mattei Plan for Africa, Tunisia’s Vision 2035, and national strategies on employment, youth inclusion, and economic development.
He emphasized the importance of this initiative in offering real and sustainable opportunities for Tunisian youth and fostering a skilled workforce.
For his part, the UNIDO representative noted that the project exemplifies tripartite cooperation between Italy, Tunisia, and the UN.
He added that beyond its financial framework, this program acts as a structural lever to transform the vocational training system into a real driver of socio-economic inclusion, particularly for youth, women, and vulnerable populations in less developed regions.
