Introduction to Rawafed+ Project in Tunisia
The Rawafed+ project has arrived in Tunisia to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their development and resilience. This project is funded by the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD), and is being implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Project Overview
The project will last for 48 months (July 2024 - June 2028) and is based on four main axes:
- Supporting financial institutions to better support SMEs
- Providing an investment grant, called Rawafed+, to finance projects with social or environmental impact
- Setting up an electronic technical assistance desk, with experts to help SMEs access financing or restructure their budget
- Strengthening the management and financial culture of SMEs, with a special program for very small enterprises (VSEs)
What is the Rawafed+ Grant?
The Rawafed+ grant is a non-reimbursable financial support. It is intended for SMEs that benefit from the EIB's line of credit and meet at least one social criterion defined by the EIB. The grant represents 10% of the financing granted, with a ceiling of 50,000 euros per SME. SMEs must apply within 4 months of receiving EIB financing. The grant is only awarded once to each company, but in case of rejection, the SME can correct its application and resubmit it (only once).
Implementation and Timeline
The grant scheme will be open from the 1st quarter of 2026 to the 2nd quarter of 2027. This grant allows SMEs to cover concrete needs and maximize the social, environmental, and regional impact of their projects. To present this project to SMEs, regional sessions have already taken place in November and December 2025 in Sfax, Sousse, Gafsa, Kairouan, and Béja, in collaboration with local Chambers of Commerce and Industry. A next meeting will be held in Tunis to continue informing companies about the benefits of Rawafed+.
Project Funding and Objectives
With a total funding of 8.9 million euros, Rawafed+ aims to support the growth of Tunisian SMEs and encourage sustainable and responsible investments, while creating a positive impact on the Tunisian economy and society.
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