Nasseej (Interwoven)

BACKGROUND

The NASSEEJ Activity, funded by USAID and implemented by Democracy International, partners with and supports Tunisian initiatives on priority issues of public concern to advance Tunisia’s development priorities across sectors. The program will do this by building the capacity and sustainability of the development sector in Tunisia to address issues of primary importance to citizens and build linkages across and within sectors to foster better collaboration, cooperation and unity. During the seven-month Inception and Refinement Phase, completed in September 2023, NASSEEJ used mixed methods research strategies to identify the issues of most concern to Tunisians nationally and locally, which will inform the project’s focus. NASSEEJ also identified citizen initiatives and networks currently working at the grassroots level that can be further supported through partnerships, capacity building, and collaboration, particularly in marginalized communities and those living in historically overlooked regions.

OBJECTIVES

• Increase the engagement and agency of citizens to act and advocate around priority issues of concern.
• Strengthen the institutional capacity of local initiatives to promote positive change on citizen priorities.
• Promote effective partnerships at the local, regional, and national levels to act and advocate for specific issues of public interest.

LIFE OF ACTIVITY: 2023 - 2028

TOTAL ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF USAID FUNDING: $25 Million

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER: Democracy International

PROGRESS TO DATE

INCEPTION PHASE

Qualitative data gathering: 

• 20 Focus Group Discussions 
• 11 Key Information Interviews

Quantitative data gathering:

• Social and Human needs Index 
• National and Regional Polling 
• Social Network Analysis

First Entry Point: Inequalities Affecting Vulnerable People: Lack of Specific Policies and Practices to Ensure Equity for Women in Rural Areas Working in the Agricultural Sector.