Fifth meeting of Tunisian Advisory Group - June 2025

On June 13th, 2025,the Tunisian Advisory Group of the MOBILISE project held its fifth meeting at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center in Tunis. The session, chaired by Mr. Walid Gaddas, Country Coordinator for Tunisia, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Professional Training and Employment, ANETI, APIA, AVFA, academic institutions, private sector partners including San Lucar, and diplomatic stakeholders such as the Netherlands and Belgian embassies.

The meeting featured a progress update from Mr. Stefano Locatelli (MSM) on the upcoming second mobility cohort. Fifteen Tunisian trainees are set to depart for the Netherlands at the end of June, with internships and accommodation already secured. While administrative procedures for visas and permits remain time-consuming, the group discussed options such as extending the traineeship duration to further encourage host company participation.

An update on the 2024cohort highlighted that several alumni are still seeking employment. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of strengthened post-return support and better access to public programs such as the Contrat d’Initiation à la Vie Professionnelle (CIVP)—a government-supported scheme offering paid internships and tax incentives for employers. Private sector partners, including San Lucar, expressed readiness to offer pre-departure internships and support integration upon return.

Entrepreneurship was also a key topic. Although many 2024 alumni took part in an ideation bootcamp, most projects are still in early stages. Institutions such as APIA stressed the importance of preparing participants earlier by exposing them to real market needs. They recommended using insights from the October 2024 "business challenge workshop" to enhance upcoming training.

Finally, the group reviewed a feasibility study on a potential second pilot phase. Models discussed included short-term mobility for agricultural employees and greater involvement of Tunisian companies. To address potential risks, partners suggested clearer selection processes and stronger incentives for return. The results of the feasibility study will be further examined by the project team and institutional partners. A decision on the format and focus of the second pilot program is expected in the coming months.