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<\/p>\nLocated in the region of Bouhertma (north-west of Tunisia), the Association Initiative et Ouverture des Perspectives de D\u00e9veloppement (AIOPD) works for the preservation and sustainable development of local forests and wetlands. Since February 2023, it has been leading an ambitious project to reduce the impact of human practices on these fragile ecosystems, while improving the living conditions of local communities, including women and fishermen.<\/p>\n
The association works on several fronts: reducing the impact of wood felling, improving essential oil distillation techniques, adopting sustainable fishing practices and enhancing the value of fishery products.<\/p>\n
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The project aims to limit the intensive exploitation of forest products by women engaged in the distillation of essential oils by offering them sustainable alternatives.<\/p>\n
Awareness: 32 women<\/strong> have benefited from awareness visits on sustainable management of forest resources. The association is also involved in protecting the Bouhertma Dam, where fishing is an important economic resource.<\/strong><\/p>\n Fishermen awareness:<\/strong> Information campaigns have been organized to promote more sustainable fishing techniques. Visits to suppliers helped identify nets suitable for sustainable fishing , following this initiative 4 fishermen from the Bouhertma dam in Tabarka now have the skills to assemble and maintain their fishing nets.<\/p>\n In September 2024, a major breakthrough was achieved in the Bouhertma region with the creation and equipping of a pilot unit for the smoking and vacuum packaging of freshwater fish \u2013 a first in Tunisia. Thanks to the acquisition of a professional smoker, designed for hot smoking but also adaptable to cold smoking, the project has launched promising trials on four species of dam fish, exploring local seasonings such as rosemary, thyme and mint. This innovation paves the way for the sustainable development of small-scale freshwater fishing, allowing fish processing and conservation in optimal sanitary conditions, while adding value to the finished product. Replicable in all regions of Tunisia where freshwater fishing is practiced, this initiative has a strong potential for creating local jobs, especially for young people and women, and strengthening food security through an economic model, social and environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n As part of the promotion of the marketing of products from the project\u2019s women\u2019s activities, the latter was able to obtain a place for the exhibition of women\u2019s products during the Tunisian Forest Week in the City of Sciences in Tunis organized by the General Directorate of Forests, under the slogan “Our forests live among us… Tunisia is green in our hands. the stand of the project was visited by the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries and the Minister of Education.<\/p>\n In order to ensure a better marketing of local products, a valorisation strategy has been put in place.<\/p>\n Training of fishermen and their wives: 17 fishermen and 6 women from the GDA Jentoura were trained in the processing and valorization of fishery products. Through this initiative, AIOPD creates a balance between conservation of natural resources and economic empowerment<\/strong> of local communities. This project demonstrates that ecosystem protection can go hand in hand with socio-economic development,<\/strong> while actively involving women and fishermen in a transition to more sustainable practices.<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks to the PPI-OSCAN 3 programme (coordinated by IUCN-Med and financed by the French Fund for the Global Environment (FFEM), the MAVA Foundation and the Sigrid Rausing Trust ) with concrete actions and a strong commitment from local stakeholders, This project marks a significant step towards sustainable and resilient management of the forests and wetlands of Bouhertma.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nTraining: 20 women members<\/strong> of GDA Jentoura and 13 others from the region were trained in good distillation practices.
\nImproved equipment:<\/strong> Acquisition of a 50-litre stainless steel distiller and suitable bottles to improve the production and quality of essential oils and hydrolates.<\/p>\nTowards a sustainable fishery for a balanced ecosystem<\/h2>\n
\nTraining and technical assistance: Fishermen have been taught to repair and assemble their own nets, thus promoting self-reliance.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mubadarat-uicn.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DJI_0001-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nInnovative enhancement of freshwater fishing: the Fish\u00a0 smoking and packaging unit of Bouhertma<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nEnhancing local products and strengthening women\u2019s capacities<\/h2>\n
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\nCreation of a partnership for the management of equipment: In July 2024, an agreement was signed between the AIOPD and the GDA of women of Jentoura. This agreement ensures that the equipment acquired for the distillation and valorization of fish will remain available to beneficiaries even after the end of the project in September 2024.
\nTraining in the management of a community structure: To ensure the sustainability of the achievements, a training cycle has been set up to help women manage this structure independently.<\/p>\nA Sustainable Development Model for Bouhertma<\/h2>\n
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This project is implemented as part of the third phase of the Small Initiatives Programme for North African CSOs (PPI OSCAN), coordinated by the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, and funded by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), the MAVA Foundation and the Sigrid Rausing Trust. The subsidized projects aim at the conservation of species and ecosystems with remarkable biodiversity, and at the enhancement of the benefits of conservation and sustainable livelihoods. To learn more about the PPI projects OSCAN 3: 5.Projects \u2013 MUBADARAT (![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mubadarat-uicn.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Untitled-design-1-e1751538227355.png\")
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