Inclusive Climate Action for Tunisian Municipalities (ICATM)

Tunisia is at the forefront of countries facing the impacts of climate change, particularly affecting the most vulnerable populations : women, youth, the elderly and marginalized groups. Faced with these challenges, the “Inclusive Climate Action in Tunisian Municipalities (ICATM)” project, which will run from March 2024 to February 2029, aims to strengthen the resilience of local communities while placing equity and inclusion at the heart of this endeavour. The project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and its partner in Tunisia, the International Development Center for Innovative Local Governance (CILG).

Through the ICATM project, municipalities will now have a solid framework for anticipating, adapting to and recovering from climate crises. Together, we are working to build a future where everyone, regardless of gender or origin, can live safely and prosper despite the challenges of climate change.

Building stronger, more resilient communities

The ultimate goal of the ICATM project is to strengthen the climate adaptation and resilience of municipalities in Tunisia, while promoting equity for women and vulnerable groups. Specifically, the project aims to:

• Better protect Tunisians from the devastating effects of climate change, by strengthening local capacities to anticipate, adapt and respond.
• Promote a positive perception of local adaptation measures, actively involving women, youth and vulnerable groups in decision-making processes.
• Encourage local authorities to replicate and adapt innovative approaches, drawing on local success stories to spread good practices across the country.

How do we take concrete action?

To turn these objectives into reality, the ICATM project relies on concrete actions adapted to local realities:

1. Training and capacity-building programs: Supporting local authorities in their efforts to achieve inclusive, effective and sustainable climate governance.
2. Community-led climate adaptation projects: Supporting and financing projects run by local municipalities, particularly those that actively involve women and vulnerable groups. These projects enable communities to implement natural solutions—such as sustainable agricultural practices or coastal zone protection—that will reduce their vulnerability to climate change.
3. Sharing best practices: Create a collaborative network between Tunisian and Canadian municipalities, to exchange ideas and innovative solutions.

What’s new?

Nature-based solutions for more resilient Tunisian communities

The project hosted its first conference on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in Tunis, bringing together municipal partners, researchers, experts, and decision-makers from Tunisia and Canada. The activity provided a platform to discuss tools for effective local climate planning, introduce NBS concepts and approaches, and explore innovative solutions for climate adaptation and territorial resilience.

Canadian municipal partners played an active role with the participation of representatives from the MRC Marguerite-d’Youville, the City of Vancouver, the City of Selkirk, and the City of Shippagan, demonstrating how sharing municipal expertise can support local climate action internationally.

Building local capacity for inclusive climate action

The first session of the Capacity Development Program for municipal bodies and civil society organizations was held in Tunisia, marking the launch of a series of training sessions on sustainable water management, resource mobilization, and climate-resilient agriculture. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of municipal networks and national actors, particularly women, youth, and vulnerable groups, to better integrate climate adaptation and resilience into local actions.

 

What results are we aiming for?

The ICATM project does not limit itself to developing strategies; it ensures their implementation on the ground for real impact through concrete actions that include, but are not limited to:

• Improved water and waste management, promoting a healthier living environment for communities.
• Preservation of local biodiversity through initiatives such as forest restoration and coastal zone protection.
• Raising community awareness of the importance of climate resilience and their key role in this transition.