Tunisia: Inclusive and citizen-oriented local governance through strengthened media

In partnership with the Danish organization NIRAS, Fondation Hirondelle is implementing the media component of the program "Active Participation of Tunisian Citizens" (PACT) 2020-2022. This is a project of the Swiss Cooperation (SDC) in Tunisia. It aims to contribute to Tunisia’s democratic transition by focusing on decentralization in the Hautes-Steppes region.

Activities are mainly focused on the organization of Community Forums, so that municipalities and civil society can, together, build projects at the local level. Fondation Hirondelle's activities aim to support Tunisian journalists in 5 governorates in the coverage of local governance issues. Local media thus become tools for informing and monitoring public policies. They contribute to accountability, dialogue and to creating trust between the state and the population.

Elected officials are also supported in their work through media training sessions. These trainings aim to provide them with the keys to promote constructive dialogue between politicians and media actors, and ultimately to improve communication with the population.

Objectives

To promote citizen participation in local governance through access to independent, credible and inclusive information.

Results

17 journalists from local Tunisian media are able to produce relevant information contributing to a better understanding by their audiences of the issues related to Community Forums.
21 municipal officials are able to manage their relationships with the media in a proactive and structured way, contributing to the provision of useful public information to citizens.