Implementation of the GYAP in the Near East and North Africa: Training of Trainers in Tunisia- empowering rural women for agrifood systems transformation

The WFF Global Youth Action Plan (GYAP) 2025–2026 is a youth-led roadmap to transform agrifood systems, built through consultations with over 2 600 young people worldwide. It identifies region-specific challenges, policy priorities and concrete actions, combining capacity development, policy advocacy and partnerships. Grounded in innovation, sustainability and ancestral knowledge, the GYAP sets two actionable items per region to address pressing policy gaps, serving as an adaptable blueprint that amplifies youth voices and drives change at local, regional and global levels.

In the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region, the policy priority focuses on improving the lives and working conditions of rural people, particularly marginalized groups, by promoting environmentally and socially friendly agricultural practices. To advance this priority, the Youth Policy Board (YPB) identified two actionable items: developing a collaborative platform for agricultural innovation for young farmers and promoting accessible education for sustainable agriculture practices.

As part of the second actionable item, the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme, حراير الأرض (“Free Women of the Land”), was launched in Tunisia. The programme translates regional commitments into local action through a cascading training model, equipping trainers with technical and social knowledge to empower rural women in their communities.

In Tunisia, rural women represent 75 percent of the agricultural workforce and contribute 80 percent of food production, but remain affected by low wages, poor access to land, unsafe transport, lack of social protection and exclusion from decision-making.

The ToT programme, shaped through needs assessments and grassroots consultations led by the YPB, responded to these challenges by fostering climate literacy, strengthening capacity and providing culturally relevant tools that position rural women as agents of a just transition in agriculture.

The sessions focused on four strategic themes delivered by regional experts and practitioners:

• Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Gender mainstreaming, facilitated by Hedia Bel Haj Youssef, Head of the Knowledge Management Department and GBV Programme Coordinator at CAWTAR. This module highlighted the systemic inequalities rural women endure and how trainers can incorporate gender sensitivity into agricultural and community programmes.
• Green entrepreneurship, led by Rand Alkhusman, founder of We4ClimateJO, the session explored opportunities for women-led agribusiness and sustainable enterprises, linking agriculture with economic autonomy and access to micro-funding.
• Family Farming, presented by Bassam Mouhamed, an international development expert at the University of Lisbon and co-founder at MAHARAT-MENA, emphasized the economic and ecological value of family farming while highlighting women’s leadership in food security and just transition narratives.
• Climate change and agriculture, led by Maha Mouelhi, a Tunisian agroecological consultant, farmer and founder of zerriaa, this module provided accessible knowledge on climate impacts and resilience strategies for agriculture.

Knowledge assessments showed participants improved their understanding by more than 50 percent across all modules. Participants also demonstrated readiness to replicate the training in their communities, with increased confidence to integrate gender-sensitive approaches, climate adaptation strategies and green entrepreneurship opportunities.

This outcome directly supports the cascading training model envisioned in the GYAP,  ensuring knowledge reaches local communities where it is most needed.

The ToT in Tunisia stands as a successful example of turning global policy priorities into concrete local action. By centering rural women and integrating gender, climate, entrepreneurship and traditional farming, the programme equips trainers to advance a just transition in agriculture.

As participants return to their communities, the ripple effects of this initiative will strengthen resilience, promote sustainable livelihoods and empower rural women as leaders of change