€55 million from the EU to fund the democratic transition process in Tunisia

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€55 million from the EU to fund the democratic transition process in Tunisia

19-12-2011

The EU has released the first tranche of €55 million to assist with the democratic process in Tunisia within the framework of its new Transition Support Programme, with the aim of enhancing economic growth, reducing inequalities and promoting good governance in the country. The amount provided represents only one part of the budget allocated by the EU to support the Tunisian state since September 2011.

First conceived in the weeks following the revolution and signed in September, the Transition Support Programme, has a total budget of €100 million, and will assist Tunisia in the implementation of short-term actions and structural reforms during the transition period.

The key objective of the Transition Support Programme is to restore economic growth as soon as possible. To that end, the funds mobilised by the EU and other donors will help balance the state budget deficit by increasing public expenses to boost economic activity.

The Programme will also directly contribute to reducing inequalities by readjusting public interventions in a way that will benefit regions and social groups which have been particularly disadvantaged until now, namely by restoring the infrastructure which was damaged in the aftermath of the January events.

In the social realm, the Programme provides financial support and training for youth unemployed, within the framework of the Tunisian Programme for Active Employment Search (AMAL), which has already benefited 130,000 young people. It also contributes to enhancing assistance programmes targeting disadvantaged families and reinforcing basic public services, namely primary healthcare.

Through the Transition Support Programme, the EU is also supporting the improvement of the governance of public administrations. Therefore, it foresees actions in the areas of public markets, customs, and fiscal administration with a view to improving transparency as well as enhancing efficiency and equity.

The Transition Support Programme is mobilizing various international actors, notably the EU, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the French Development Agency, and providing a total financial contribution of €1 billion, with the EU providing grants and other actors loans. This close collaboration has helped establish a ‘set’ of financial and technical support measures in record time. (ENPI Info Centre)

Read more

Press release

EU Delegation fact sheet – EU support for Tunisia during the transition period (FR only)

EU Delegation – Tunisia

ENPI Info Centre press pack – Supporting the wind of change: EU and Tunisia press pack

ENPI Info Centre webpage – Tunisia

ENPI Info Centre - EU support for Tunisian transition: Delegation releases detailed breakdown

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