Tunisia Development Foundation Expands ELIFE Program with Two New Technological Centers
The Tunisia Development Foundation is continuing to deploy the ELIFE program with the official inauguration of two new technological, training, and cultural centers: the ELIFE Sidi Bouzid center on June 16 and the ELIFE Tozeur center on June 17. In the presence of the Ambassadors of Germany and France, these new openings bring the total number of operational ELIFE centers to six, located in Sidi Bouzid, Tozeur, Siliana, Béja, Le Kef, and Djerba.
Creating Jobs and Promoting Regional Development
Through its qualifying training programs, professionalization of young people, integration into digital and industrial sector companies, and incubation of startups, the ELIFE program contributes to creating and sustaining thousands of jobs in various regions of Tunisia while promoting inclusive and sustainable regional development.
New Centers Made Possible by Franco-German Co-Financing
The two new centers were established thanks to co-financing from:
- The Investment Facility for Employment (IFE), implemented by the KfW Development Bank as part of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development's (BMZ) special initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition."
- The French Development Agency (AFD), which reinforced the centers' IT and technological infrastructure, providing young people in the regions with modern, connected training spaces that meet international standards.
Expanding the ELIFE Network
These two new centers strengthen the national ELIFE network, which now comprises six operational centers after the opening of centers in Siliana, Béja, Le Kef, and Djerba. They will enable the program to expand its footprint in the central and southwestern regions of Tunisia and reinforce the Tunisia Development Foundation's action in favor of the economic and social inclusion of young people.
Creating and Sustaining Jobs
Through qualifying training in digital professions, adapted professionalization programs, entrepreneurial support, and startup incubation, the ELIFE centers aim to create and sustain thousands of jobs across Tunisia.
Project ELIFE: A 4.9 Million Euro Investment
The ELIFE project (Tozeur, Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan) benefits from a 4.9 million euro subsidy granted by the Investment Facility for Employment (IFE), implemented by the KfW Development Bank. The project plans to create and operate three new ELIFE centers in the central and southern regions of Tunisia. Within three years of their launch, the centers are expected to create over 1,300 direct and indirect jobs.
Addressing Youth Unemployment in Tunisia
Youth unemployment remains particularly high in Tunisia, especially in inland regions. The governorates of Sidi Bouzid and Tozeur are among the regions where the need for employment support and diversification of professional opportunities remains significant.
Developing New Opportunities in Sidi Bouzid and Tozeur
In the Sidi Bouzid region, the youth unemployment rate remains high, with the local economy relying mainly on agriculture. This highlights the importance of developing new opportunities in innovative, high-value-added sectors to broaden the professional prospects of young graduates. In the Tozeur governorate, economic activity is largely driven by the tourism sector, which is marked by seasonality. Young graduates aspire to more opportunities in the digital, service, and new technology sectors to diversify professional outlets in the region.
The ELIFE Centers: Hubs for Technological and Entrepreneurial Innovation
Through the opening of the ELIFE Sidi Bouzid and ELIFE Tozeur centers, the Tunisia Development Foundation aims to bring training and employment opportunities closer to young talents in the regions and contribute to the creation of an innovative, sustainable regional ecosystem. The ELIFE centers are designed as technological and entrepreneurial hubs, offering:
- Certifying training in digital professions and technologies
- Employment support programs
- Coworking and startup incubation spaces
- FabLabs and modern digital equipment
- Cultural, scientific, and collaborative spaces
Each center can accommodate up to 1,000 learners per year through various training and support programs. Since the opening of the first ELIFE center in Siliana on June 24, 2019, several thousand young people and beneficiaries have been able to take advantage of the different services offered by the ELIFE centers.
A Model for Regional Development
The experience of the first ELIFE centers is now recognized as an innovative model for regional development, having already contributed to the creation of several thousand direct and indirect jobs and the support of numerous startups and entrepreneurial initiatives in different regions of the country.
Statement from the President of the Tunisia Development Foundation
The President of the Tunisia Development Foundation, Badreddine Ouali, stated: "The inauguration of the ELIFE Sidi Bouzid and Tozeur centers marks an important step in our commitment to equal opportunities and regional development. We deeply believe that young people in the regions have immense potential that deserves to be supported, valued, and connected to the jobs of tomorrow."
