12.04.2024 – The official launch of WIDU II was a festive occasion to present not only the project's development perspectives in Tunisia over the next three years, but also to review WIDU's achievements since January 2022. The event highlighted the exceptional entrepreneurs who have benefited from the support of WIDU, and rewarded 18 of them for their success and their contribution to the development of a sustainable local economy.
The ceremony was opened by the Minister's advisor, Mr Khalil Abbes, Her Excellency the German Ambassador, Mr Peter Prügel, and the Deputy Director of the ‘Office des Tunisiens à l'Etranger’ (OTE), Mr Helmi Tlili. These high-ranking guests praised WIDU's efforts to catalyze entrepreneurial potential in Tunisia and promote micro and small businesses through an innovative approach in collaboration with the Tunisian diaspora in Europe.
On this occasion, Mr. Khalil Abbes spoke of "the government's interest in Tunisians abroad, as an essential vector for Tunisia's economic and social development." He then reiterated "the satisfaction of the Ministry of Social Affairs with the bilateral cooperation with Germany concretized by the several projects implemented by the GIZ and that resulted in achieving the common interests of both countries. The WIDU program is a good illustration of this.”
During his speech, H.E. the German Ambassador to Tunisia, Mr. Peter Prügel, also recalled the activities of German-Tunisian development cooperation in Tunisia, addressing the existing opportunities for diaspora involvement: "Together we are working to ensure that business empowerment, diaspora engagement and sustainable economic development contribute to Tunisia's blossoming".
An innovative approach to access to finance for Tunisian micro and small businesses
The WIDU.africa project, which has been operating in Tunisia since January 2022, stands out for its ambitious mission. By focusing on leveraging remittances from the African diaspora in Europe, WIDU aims to build the capacity of local entrepreneurs and foster sustainable economic development. During the WIDU awards ceremony, Georg Koeppinghoff, WIDU country coordinator, emphasized the fundamental importance of meeting the needs of entrepreneurs in terms of access to finance by offering appropriate tools and solutions: "With the launch of this second phase, we aim to capitalize on our achievements and develop our approach in order to initiate a process of perpetuation within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, especially for a better access to funds to support TPMEs in what today represents the primary barrier to entrepreneurship in Tunisia." The project aims to achieve this by strengthening synergies with local players and support structures.
Mr. Koeppinghoff could also present during this ceremony the project's impactful results in Tunisia. Since the launch of WIDU in Tunisia nearly 2 years ago, over a million euros have been invested jointly by entrepreneurs and diaspora to support micro and small businesses activities. This has made it possible to support more than 530 micro and small businesses throughout Tunisia, as well as facilitating the creation and maintenance of more than 1,270 jobs, 59% of which are held by women. As part of this support, WIDU has paid out over one million Euros through grants, helping to improve entrepreneurial conditions and develop the activities of these entrepreneurs.
A key partnership strengthened with the Office des Tunisiens à l'Etranger
Bringing together the key players in Tunisia's entrepreneurial ecosystem, this event was an opportunity to reiterate our strong commitment to the partnership initiated in 2023 with the Office des Tunisiens à l'Etranger operating under the Ministry of Social Affairs. Mr. Helmi Tlili, the institution's Deputy Managing Director, underlined the fundamental role played by OTE structures both regionally and abroad, recalling that the contribution of Tunisians abroad to the country's development remains an important focus of their various interventions. He also took the opportunity to thank GIZ for its support to OTE in the different programs dedicated to mobilizing the Tunisia diaspora for investment.
Focus on a key component of the project: entrepreneurial coaching
The importance of coaching for Tunisian entrepreneurs was also a central theme at the launch ceremony for Phase II of the project, highlighted by the presence of the entire team from the Redstart coaching organization, a partner in the project since its start in Tunisia, including the 13 WIDU coaches.
Ms. Douja Gharbi, CEO of Redstart, looked back on the key moments and highlights of the support provided to micro and small businesses through the collaborative activities with the WIDU project in Tunisia, underlining a fruitful collaboration in favor of entrepreneurship brought together during this event around a common goal of celebrating the successes of each stakeholder: "we're celebrating entrepreneurship, we're celebrating women, we're celebrating innovation, the diaspora which has contributed enormously in all the work since the launch of WIDU, as well as solid partners working together in transparency and professionalism to make this project a success."
Coaching sessions have played a key role in building entrepreneurial skills, providing entrepreneurs who have been supported by WIDU with strategic advice, practical tools and personalized guidance. This holistic approach, combining WIDU funding with personalized coaching, consolidated the success of the award-winning entrepreneurs at the WIDU Awards ceremony organized on this occasion, illustrating the crucial importance of support in the entrepreneurial journey in Tunisia. In total 1,040 coaching sessions were carried out during the first phase of the project, which ended on September 30, with 94% of participants expressing satisfaction.
WIDU Awards, celebrating the entrepreneurs supported by the project since its launch
The evening was also marked by the WIDU Awards, celebrating and rewarding 18 outstanding entrepreneurs who have benefited from the WIDU project since 2022, for the excellence and innovation of their projects in 6 different categories: Tech & Innovation, Agribusiness, Women's Entrepreneurship, Handicrafts, Green Entrepreneurship -sponsored by microfinance institution Microcred- and Women Call. The enthusiasm of the winning entrepreneurs was evident at the prize-giving ceremony (5,000 DT for the 1st prize in each category, 3,000 DT and 1,000 DT for the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively).
The entrepreneurs expressed their gratitude to the project, testifying to the crucial role it played in building their capacities and making their entrepreneurial dreams a reality. Among the lucky winners, Mohamed Amine Boufaied, manager of Domaine El Htouba - a guest house and venue for the art of passementerie in Korba - expressed his delight at winning first prize in the WIDU project, stressing that the award would encourage him to press ahead with the development of his project. Mohamed added that he had transformed a textile project into one specializing in traditional industries and tourism, praising the good guidance and advice provided by the micro and small business leaders.
Throughout the celebration, the business sectors in the spotlight were also showcased at an exhibition focusing on Tunisian crafts and know-how carried out exclusively by women entrepreneurs who had benefited from WIDU support.
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Discover the 15 winners of the WIDU awards Tunisia 2023!
*CATEGORY: TECH & INNOVATION*
- 1st prize: LoxBox Services is an innovative delivery service launched by Mohamed Riadh Hamama. Purchases are delivered online to physical relay points (local stores for different activities) or via E-relays (electronic relay points that can be set up in various locations).
Diaspora donor: Safouen Mahjoub (Belgique)
- 2nd prize : Royal Green Technologies (RGT), launched by Rabeb Fersi, offers farmers technical and economic studies for agricultural projects, as well as technical and scientific agricultural advice thanks to a group of multidisciplinary researchers (phytopathologist, bioclimatologist, etc.). The company also handles the installation and implementation of crop projects.
Diaspora donor: Samir Chebil (France)
- 3rd prize: Recruity (Rec-INOV) is an online platform designed by Jamila Khlif, to meet the recruitment needs of HR professionals, through a wide dissemination of job opportunities. It offers matching services, CV sourcing and ranking, remote video or technical interviews, soft skills testing, application management and candidate tracking.
Diaspora Donor: Azza Saad (France)
*CATEGORY: AGRIBUSINESS*
- 1st prize: AGAMAN, launched by Bihar Lassoued in Kairouan, is dedicated to growing and selling superfoods such as moringa. The company markets moringa and lemongrass products in the form of powder, dried leaves, vegetable oils and essential oils.
Diaspora donor: Saker Sabkha (France)
- 2nd prize: GDA Date processing unit created by Olfa Garres in the Rjim Maatoug region of the Kébili governorate, specializes in date processing. Located at the gateway to the desert, the collective offers a wide range of products derived from dates, including date syrup and date sugar.
Diaspora donor: Fafani Mosbah (France)
- 3rd prize: Baboucha de Bargo, launched by Atef Zidi in Bargou in the Siliana region, is a company that breeds and processes "Helix aspersa" snails. The company markets its products as gourmet dishes to numerous outlets and restaurants. Through the expansion of its activities, Atef aims to develop a structure specialized in the manufacture of cosmetics based on snail slime.
Diaspora donor: Hakim Abda (Suisse)
*CATEGORIE : ENTREPRENEURIAT FEMININ*
1er prix : CEBELA PRO, lancé par Faten Oueslati, est une unité de distillation des plantes aromatiques et médicinales basée dans la région de Testour. Le projet vise à valoriser la biodiversité de la région à travers l'exploitation des plantes et des produits de la ruche pour la fabrication d'hydrolats, huiles essentielles, savonnerie, cosmétiques et même confiserie.
Donateur de la diaspora: Souhaib Oueslati (Allemagne)
2ème prix : Synapse est un centre culturel qui offre divers services d'animations, de formations pluridisciplinaires et d'activités éducatives et récréatives. Le centre créé par Nadia Dahech cible essentiellement les élèves du primaire et du secondaire à travers un soutien scolaire, ainsi que les femmes et jeunes adultes à travers la formation professionnelles à court terme.
Donateur de la diaspora: Ilyes Kaddour (Suisse)
3ème prix : MODASTIA, lancée par Aicha Kardi dans la région de Médenine, est une unité de manufacture textile spécialisés dans les habits traditionnels. Aicha réalise des pièces créatives uniques et prisées par les femmes de sa région pour les cérémonies traditionnelles de mariage, fiançailles et autres.
Donateur de la diaspora: Abdallah Kerdaoui (France)
*CATEGORY: CRAFTS*
- 1st prize: Domaine El Htouba, launched by Mohamed Amine Boufaied, a guest house located in Korba. The estate includes a showroom displaying trimmings, which showcases the estate's ancestral craft to raise awareness of this specialty among visitors to the estate.
Diaspora donor: Salima Boufaied (France)
- 2nd prize: Hamsa Artisanat, launched by Hania Chaibi in Gabès. The brand offers a variety of handcrafted creations, including bags and hats made entirely by hand from palm leaf fibers and leather.
Diaspora donor: Mohamed Chaibi (France)
- 3rd prize: Mofida Fashion, a traditional dressmaking workshop created by Moufida Ben Amara. The brand also markets fashion accessories.
Diaspora donor: Ayed Ben Amara (France)
*CATEGORY: GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP* sponsored by MICROCRED
- 1st prize: BIOPACK SH launched by Soumaya Hammami, is a recyclable packaging production unit, offering a biodegradable alternative through the use of waste paper and the addition of certain materials such as clay, palm waste and coffee residues.
Diaspora donor: Nazih Jouini (Allemagne)
- 2nd prize: ECO Chanti is a Tunis-based company specializing in gardening, maintenance and the creation of green spaces. Launched by Iheb Jabri, the project promotes urban agriculture in private and public city gardens. ECO Chanti has also set up educational vegetable gardens in schools, as well as running workshops on agricultural practices in schools.
Diaspora donor: Kelim Zribi (France)
- 3rd prize: Aqdhili is an eco-friendly delivery solution based in Sousse and launched by Mohamed Alyay Bouabda. The company offers its customers an eco-responsible solution for managing their daily shopping (products and services). Deliveries are made exclusively by electric bicycle.
Diaspora donor: Ahmed Braham (France)
*CATEGORY: WOMEN CALL*
- 1st prize: Cheesy Vaga is a unit for processing and promoting dairy products from the Beja region. Created by Dhekra Touhami, the company markets a wide range of cheeses and dairy products.
- 2nd prize: Margoum Lela Beya is a Margoum carpet weaving workshop based in Sidi Bouzid and created by Moufida Baccari. The project aims to promote the ancestral heritage of weaving.
- 3rd prize: Heavenly was launched by Ibtissem Louhichi in Kairouan. The company specializes in the cold extraction of prickly pear seed oil and the valorization of its product into prickly pear vinegar.
By celebrating these visionary entrepreneurs, the WIDU Awards ceremony leaves a solid imprint on the Tunisian entrepreneurial landscape, encouraging future generations of entrepreneurs to persevere in pursuing their ambitions with determination and confidence.
If you missed the WIDU Awards Tunisia ceremony, you can relive this exceptional event in full on our social networks via the following link: https: //bit.ly/WIDUAwardsTunisia.