Tunisian Government and African Development Bank Launch Climate Resilience Project
The Tunisian government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have recently launched a project in Tunis aimed at strengthening climate resilience and revitalizing fragile rural ecosystems, with a total value of $23.72 million (over 73 million Tunisian dinars).
Project Overview
The project, dubbed "Promoting Agroforestry and Restoring Degraded Forest Landscapes" (PARFD), is financed by the AfDB to the tune of $17 million through the Climate Investment Funds. The remaining $6.06 million is provided by the Tunisian state, while beneficiaries contribute $660,000, according to a statement released by the AfDB on Thursday.
Aligning with National Priorities
In line with national priorities, including Tunisia's Sustainable Development Strategy 2030 and the goal of reducing carbon intensity by 45% by 2030, this project is expected to generate nearly 4,500 green jobs in the governorates of Béja, Siliana, and Bizerte. It will restore or stabilize 33,200 hectares of land through forestry and agroforestry, as well as 2,450 hectares of private land through sub-projects focused on agroforestry, forestry, and aromatic and medicinal plants.
Project Objectives
The project includes:
- Training 42,000 people in sustainable practices
- Sequestering 32 million tons of carbon over 25 years
- Valuing degraded private lands on the periphery of state forests through a partnership between the state and Tunisian farmers, combining ecological restoration and economic development
- Encouraging the creation of sustainable value chains around high-value crops
- Strengthening the resilience of ecosystems and rural communities
Expected Outcomes
The integration of sustainable agroforestry and forestry practices, as well as agricultural value chains, will directly contribute to:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Ensuring food security
- Improving living conditions for households
- Enhancing Tunisia's carbon footprint and optimizing community resilience to climate change effects.
