Sport for Development in Tunisia

Building Skills and Employability for Youth

By Azza Guiza

As we look back on the journey of Sport for Development (S4D) in Tunisia, what stands out is not only the progress we can measure in numbers, but the transformation we have witnessed among young people, institutions, and communities.

Tunisia is a young country – nearly half its population is under 30 – yet unemployment and lack of opportunities weigh heavily, leaving many young people frustrated and disconnected. Against this backdrop, S4D has emerged as a new and inspiring approach, turning sport into a tool to strengthen employability, foster entrepreneurship, and promote gender equality and social cohesion.

Over the past three years, S4D has grown from a concept into a living practice across youth centres, vocational training institutions, and even within prisons. More than 120 facilitators and employment advisors have been trained in the approach, reaching over 800 young people by 2024.

What has been most striking is not only the skills these young people have gained, but the confidence and sense of possibility they have rebuilt for themselves.

One highlight has been the creation of the inclusive S4D Pilot Centre in Raoued, a working-class neighbourhood on the outskirts of Tunis. With more than 300 members aged 13 to 29, the centre combines sport, counselling, and training services, offering young people – especially young women – new pathways to the labour market while providing a safe space to engage in socio-cultural and sports activities.

The Youth Ambassadors Programme has been another turning point. Twenty-eight young women and men stepped into leadership roles after receiving training in communication, project management, conflict resolution, and employability skills.

A youth ambassador expressed it after a workshop in Bizerte: “Sport has given me the courage to speak up, to share ideas, and to see myself as someone who can bring change in my community.”

Beyond Tunisia, regional exchanges with peers from Morocco and Senegal have opened doors for collaboration and mutual learning, making S4D not just a local initiative but part of a growing regional and global movement

The journey has not been without challenges. Convincing partners that S4D is not “just sport” but a powerful educational and employability tool required dialogue and persistence. Yet, this change in mindset is one of our greatest achievements. Today, S4D enjoys strong support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training, paving the way for sustainability and scale.

What has truly shifted?
Young people in Tunisia are no longer just participants in sport – they are leaders, role models, and changemakers. The most powerful lesson has been clear: when we trust youth and provide the right tools, they not only transform their own lives, they inspire us as well. And above all, the resilience of marginalised youth – turning exclusion into leadership and hope – is the lasting legacy of Tunisia’s S4D journey.

Photos: © GIZ