Institutional visit to Tunisia

On November 8-10, 2023, the MSM team, composed of Project manager Mr. Stefano Locatelli and Country coordinator Mr. Walid Gaddas, had a fruitful mission in Tunis to strengthen cooperation with local partners and advance with the design of the MOBILISE Tunisia talent program. 

Very positive meetings took place with the M. Majdoub, Director of the Institut Supérieur Agronomique de Chott Mériem (ISA-CM) and with M. Abdellah, Director of the Centre Sectoriel de Formation Professionnelle Agricole de Chott-Meriem (under the AVFA), the two institutes which will be hosting the talent program in Tunisia. The meetings focused on the terms of the institutional cooperation with Dutch partners, on the possible planning for the first intake of students, expected to travel to the Netherlands already in summer 2024, and on the next steps for the design and implementation of the program. 

All partners see great opportunities for the creation of a training and mobility program that will provide young talents with practical skills and experience focused on climate smart agriculture practices and in direct connection with the current trends of the international horticulture labor market. 

Then the MSM team had the opportunity to pay a visit to the European Union Delegation and to the Dutch Embassy. Both institutions confirmed their strong interest and support for the MOBILISE project, which is confirmed to be in line with the cooperation strategy of both the Dutch government and the European Union by placing the focus on legal migration pathways, capacity building of local organizations and development of youth knowledge and skills in line with the labour market needs. The institutions also confirmed their engagement to be part of the project National Advisory Group in Tunisia, expected to first meet in December, which will provide recommendations and guidance on the strategic steps of the project in the country.  

Finally, the team also had a long and positive meeting with Prof. Khemaies Zayani, Director General of the Agence de la Vulgarisation et de la Formation Agricoles (AVFA). Prof. Zayani confirmed not only the support to the engagement of their institute from Chott-Meriem, but also the strong willingness to build a long and sustainable partnership with MSM and Aeres for a joint effort in strengthening the capacity of Tunisian vocational education in the agricultural sector.