Unemployment is one of the key challenges of the Southern Neighbourhood region. Helping the population of the Mediterranean into sustainable, fair and official forms of employment is key to build social stability, address root causes of migration and prevent radicalisation. The private sector plays a vital role in job creation in the region, with 80% of employment created by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EU cooperation in this area therefore seeks to foster entrepreneurship and create an attractive business climate for SMEs. It also aims at reinforcing human capital through education and vocational training, ensuring transparent market conditions, and supporting the development of digital economy and appropriate infrastructure – all of which are essential for growth and job creation.
“By boosting foreign investment and creating a real driver for sustainable and shared development, EUROMED Invest is furthering the potential of regional integration and cohesion among the Euro-Mediterranean countries. It also sets out to develop businesses, which will create more jobs and maximise the social impact.”
-Oussama Dahmani, Project Manager EUROMED Invest.
“Participating in the project was a turning point in my career. Before, I worked in the traditional Tunisian style. Now that I have been trained in design, I am able to develop new ceramic collections. I have learned new artistic techniques, but I've also learned how the whole export chain works.”
-Nour Bellalouna, artist-designer and managing director of the Belle Lune ceramics company in Tunisia, beneficiary of the Creative Mediterranean programme.
