FORTER'ESS: Strengthening the resilience of women's social and solidarity economy organisations (SSEOs) affected by COVID-19

This two-year project provides support to women led SSE organizations in the governorates of Beja, Jendouba and Le Kef. This support focuses on improving workplace protection and working conditions for women entrepreneurs and workers in women led SSEs to counteract the social, economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. FORTER'ESS will also contribute to the establishment of an inclusive and equitable social and solidarity economy (SSE) ecosystem in Tunisia, which encourages the increased participation of women in the sector.

The FORTER'ESS project is the result of a partnership between the Government of Canada and the International Labour Organization (ILO) working in collaboration with the Tunisian government and social partners to strengthen the resilience of women-led SSEOs affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Objectives
  • Capacity building of women's SSE organisations to address the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis in governorates of Beja, Jendouba and Le Kef
  • Development of managerial skills of women's SSE organisations
  • Improved access of women's SSE organisations to local and export markets, and increased sales and income
  • Strengthening of prevention of occupational risks and diseases among women
  • Dissemination of the culture of social coverage among women in SSE organisations
  • Capacity building for gender mainstreaming in the SSE ecosystem, especially the existing legal framework and statistical system on SSE

Institutional partners

  • The Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Maritime Fishing
  • The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Professional Integration by interim
  • The Ministry of Women, the Family and the Elderly
  • The Ministry of Social Affairs
  • The Ministry of Tourism
  • Tunisian General Union of Labour
  • Tunisian Union of Industry, Commerce and Handicrafts
  • Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fishing

Expected results

  • Intermediate result I: "Women's SSE organisations are consolidated in two disadvantaged regions
  • Intermediate result II: "Workplace protection and working conditions of women entrepreneurs and workers in SSE women's organisations are improved in two disadvantaged regions
  • Intermediate result III: "SSE organisations benefit from an inclusive, equitable and supportive ecosystem".