Since its inception, the Tounsi w Nghayer project has been a bold statement of faith in Tunisia’s youth, their potential, their ideas, and their power to drive positive change. Following three successful editions in 2016, 2019, and 2024, we are proud to carry on with the fourth edition in 2025, expanding our impact in Gabès, Ben Arous, and Manouba.
This edition builds on the success of our pilot initiative, FOYER, implemented with selected youth centers. The pilot served as a testing ground for a new approach to youth engagement, and the results were both inspiring and transformative. We observed a marked improvement in youth leadership, a stronger sense of initiative among participants, and a noticeable ripple effect in their local communities. And that’s exactly what motivated us to scale up our efforts through Tounsi w Nghayer 2025.
Carrying this work forward while staying true to our mission: to develop the next generation of civic leaders, activists, and change agents, especially among low-income youth and under-resourced communities.
In a time when youth often feel disconnected from community decision-making, Tounsi w Nghayer opens spaces for civic engagement and youth-driven innovation within youth centers, the beating heart of many neighborhoods across Tunisia.
Investing in Youth-Led Change
The 2025 edition began with a series of intensive training sessions for youth club leaders from the Youth Center Chatt Es-Salam (Gabès), the Cultural and Sports Center for Youth (Ben Arous), and the Youth Center Jedaida (Manouba). These leaders were not just trained, they were empowered.
They gained tools to shape their clubs into active, mission-driven spaces with a clear identity and work plan. They explored creative strategies for mobilizing their peers through gamification and community-centered engagement. Most importantly, they learned how to identify pressing issues in their communities and brainstorm sustainable solutions.
But training didn’t stop with the youth. Animators and administrators from these youth centers also participated in capacity-building workshops on graphic facilitation, innovative educational tools, and collaborative problem-solving. Their role is essential, not just as facilitators, but as partners in youth empowerment.
From Training to Action
Returning to their respective regions, these young leaders hit the ground running. Together with their peers, they began structuring their clubs, identifying local challenges, and co-creating initiatives aimed at social impact. Each group is now preparing to present its youth-led project at the Tounsi w Nghayer National Competition in July 2025 — a celebration of innovation, leadership, and community ownership.
What we have witnessed so far is more than just participation — it’s transformation. Youth who once hesitated to speak up are now leading dialogue, organizing teams, and designing grassroots initiatives. They are taking ownership of the future they want to build, and that is exactly what Tounsi w Nghayer is all about.
The Road Ahead
- Community Research & Needs Assessment: Helping youth better understand the issues that matter most to their neighborhoods.
- Ideation & Prototyping: Guiding them in narrowing down solutions that are feasible, impactful, and community-centered.
- Access to Funding: Supporting them in identifying local and national donors to bring their initiatives to life.
- Media & Advocacy Training: Teaching them how to amplify their voices through powerful storytelling and media campaigns.
Why This Matters
In every neighborhood, youth centers can become hubs of transformation, if we invest in them, trust the youth they serve, and give them the tools they need. Tounsi w Nghayer is a testament to that vision.
As an organization, we remain dedicated to our mission: opening doors to civic engagement, especially for those who have historically been excluded. Our vision is to inspire every young person to become an engaged citizen, one who acts with empathy, courage, and commitment. Through this project, we are not just fostering change, we are planting the seeds of a more just, inclusive, and participatory society.
We believe that when youth lead, entire communities rise.
