A recent workshop organized by ONU-Habitat in Tunis highlighted the difficulties faced by Tunisian municipalities in accessing national and international funds dedicated to local investment, particularly in climate and sustainable development. The event was part of the "Partnership Platform for Localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tunisia," a global initiative aimed at translating the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda into local policies, action plans, and budgets. The platform seeks to strengthen coordination between national and local institutions and provide pilot territories with practical planning and implementation tools.
The initiative has selected five pilot municipalities in Tunisia, chosen for their geographical and cultural specificities and potential: Kélibia, Sened, Sejnane, Zahret Medyen, and Bechri Fatnassa Negga. These communes will benefit from the platform's support in developing their local development plans and accessing financing. According to expert Ahmed Guidara, the interest of the platform lies in bridging the gap between urban planning and finance, as a plan cannot be successful without resources. He emphasized that the investment capacity of local authorities is crucial, but they face several obstacles, including limited savings and own resources.
Guidara noted that many international climate funds remain under-exploited, as local authorities struggle to access them due to a lack of state support and qualified structures to develop and monitor projects. He called for better utilization of funds from the Caisse des prêts et de soutien des collectivités locales and national programs. The platform can also harmonize visions and promote intercommunal cooperation, particularly for joint climate projects, which would reduce costs and improve the efficiency of local investment.
Achraf Ghrib, a specialist in urban development, presented the platform as a meeting space for municipalities, regional councils, experts, associations, funders, and international partners to design locally feasible projects. He stressed the need for pilot commune projects to have a regional impact, creating jobs and improving the quality of life and services for residents. The projects should also have economic, environmental, and tourist benefits at the regional level.
The workshop brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for local development in Tunisia. The platform aims to support the development of local plans and provide access to financing, enabling municipalities to implement their projects. According to Ghrib, the platform will help to identify and prioritize projects that can have a significant impact on the local economy and environment.
The Tunisian government has been working to promote local development and improve the business climate. The country has made progress in recent years, but challenges persist, particularly in terms of access to financing. The platform is expected to play a key role in addressing these challenges and supporting the development of local economies.
The partnership platform is a significant initiative aimed at promoting local development and achieving the SDGs in Tunisia. By bringing together stakeholders and providing access to financing and expertise, the platform is expected to have a positive impact on the country's local economies and communities. The success of the platform will depend on the effective collaboration of all stakeholders involved.
Key points
- Tunisian municipalities face significant challenges in accessing national and international funds for local investment.
- The partnership platform aims to support the development of local plans and provide access to financing for pilot municipalities.
- The platform seeks to promote intercommunal cooperation and harmonize visions for local development projects.
