Written by: Ghada Louhichi, Senior Programme Manager
Across Tunisia, young people in vulnerable situations are often excluded from decision making spaces and public services. Many face limited access to cultural, sporting and economic opportunities. In response, the EU-funded EU4Youth Maghroum’IN programme is creating pathways for their inclusion and participation. Launched in January 2022 and running until 2027, the initiative is delivered through a co-delegated partnership between the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the British Council, alongside International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), with support from the Tunisian Ministries of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The name ‘Maghroum’IN’ means ‘passionate about’ in Arabic, and this sentiment is reflected in the energy and ambition of the programme. Its approach is rooted in a belief that young people are not passive beneficiaries, but powerful drivers of change when equipped with the right tools, space and support. The British Council leads on two of the programme’s core components, strengthening community dynamics through civil society and local actors, and expanding economic inclusion in culture and sport.
The programme places a strong emphasis on inclusion, with a deliberate effort to avoid labelling young people as vulnerable. Instead, it recognises that exclusion often stems from the systems and environments surrounding them. By working closely with young people and local stakeholders, the initiative seeks to address structural barriers—such as limited access to quality education, insufficient economic opportunities, discriminatory practices, and the lack of safe, inclusive public spaces—that often marginalise youth and hinder their participation in civic and community life.
Civil society plays a critical role. Local organisations, often led by young people themselves, are the forefront of identifying community needs, designing activities, and delivering projects. Through its grants scheme, Maghroum’IN provides technical and financial support to emerging associations engaging youth through arts, culture, and sport. More than just funding, it emphasises capacity-building and fosters meaningful opportunities for collaboration.
One powerful example comes from southern Tunisia, where a youth association and a local youth centre partnered to better understand the needs of their neighbourhood. Instead of rolling out a ready-made programme, they empowered young people to survey their peers and co-design the solution. The outcome was the creation of a gaming and digital space within the youth centre, run and managed entirely by young people. This approach revitalised a previously underused public space and instilled a strong sense of ownership and belonging among the youth.
The Maghroum’IN Academy approach is grounded in a contextualised methodology that offers young people a safe and empowering space to explore new perspectives. Going beyond basic support, the programme serves as a true lever for inclusion and youth empowerment. Through a gradual process of engagement, young people are not treated as passive beneficiaries but as active agents in their own transformation and contributors to social change. Training in life skills, data collection, and community project development equips them with essential competencies, reinforcing both their resilience and employability.
This methodology, rooted in the legacy of the Active Citizens programme, has been further adapted and enriched by Maghroum’IN to fit the Tunisian context. It uses culture and sport not merely as activities, but as strategic tools to dismantle structural barriers affecting young people in vulnerable situations, fostering inclusion and meaningful participation in community life.
One of the programme’s key innovations is its focus on real, measurable personal growth. The British Council’s Youth Thriving Measure, developed through the Youth Connect Programme and inspired by the Strengthening Resilience programme, is used to assess changes in young people’s adaptability, confidence, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities throughout their journey.
A new but growing area of focus is economic inclusion. In response to the country’s ongoing unemployment challenges, particularly among youth, the British Council has launched a dual-track initiative to support entrepreneurship and job creation in the cultural and sport sectors. One track supports unemployed young people to launch new businesses, offering training, mentorship and administrative guidance. The second offers financial and technical support to existing enterprises – many still recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic – to maintain or expand youth employment.
Support for existing enterprises is relatively uncommon, as many programmes tend to focus primarily on start-ups. However, in a fragile economic context, helping established businesses maintain jobs is just as critical. By offering targeted assistance, the programme enables entrepreneurs to keep their operations running and continue generating employment opportunities for young people.
While some components are newly launched, the Maghroum’IN programme began in 2022, and early signs of impact are already emerging. Young people are becoming more confident and engaged in their communities. Public services are becoming more youth centred. Civil society and local actors are growing stronger and more connected. And new pathways to employment and entrepreneurship are opening in sectors that reflect young people’s passions and potential.
One standout example is the case of Majorettes, a long-standing cultural initiative based in the Sahel region. Drawing from local musical traditions, the association has created a safe, respected space for girls at risk of dropping out of school. Through music and community engagement, the project supports these girls to stay in education, build their skills and find their voice. It’s a compelling example of how culture can drive both social and educational inclusion.
Maghroum’IN is also a story of continuity and learning. It builds on the British Council’s previous work in Tunisia, including the Tfanen and Strengthening Resilience programmes. By leveraging tested methodologies, a skilled team and established stakeholder relationships, the project was able to launch quickly and effectively. This foundation of trust continues to be one of its greatest strengths.
Rather than starting from scratch, the programme builds on proven models and successful approaches from previous initiatives, adapting them to meet current challenges. By listening to communities, working collaboratively, and drawing on trusted methodologies, the British Council brings a distinctive approach that continues to deliver meaningful impact.
With two years still ahead, Maghroum’IN is evolving and expanding its reach, whilst its core mission remains unchanged - to equip young people with the tools, confidence and opportunities they need to lead. In doing so, the programme is helping to shape a future where young people are not just included but empowered to drive change within their communities and beyond.