Middle East North Africa
TUNISIA
Tunisia became a GCERF partner country in 2017. GCERF has invested USD 4.8 million supporting 20 local civil society organisations to implement initiatives aimed at preventing violent extremism.
- Kairouan
- Siliana
Background & Context
Understanding Violent
Extremism in Tunisia
In Tunisia, there has been a shift in violent extremist tactics since 2017 with lone actors targeting security forces. Despite diminished extremist group capacities, the underlying conditions that fuel radicalisation remain acute. The ongoing socio-economic decline with youth unemployment reaching 30% and poverty exceeding 15% leave vulnerable communities open to exploitation by violent extremist groups. This also leads to increased migration, some of which carry links to violent extremist elements.
GCERF'S UNIQUE INVESTMENT MODEL
Country
Support Mechanism
GCERF pioneers a unique model of investment designed to promote a whole-of-society approach and ensure the sustainability of our programmes. Under this model, in each partner country, we support national governments in establishing a steering committee called the Country Support Mechanism (CSM).
In Tunisia, CSM is chaired by the Commission Nationale pour la Lutte Contre le Terrorisme (CNLCT) and brings together relevant government agencies, civil society organisations, and donor representatives. CSM provides strategic direction for the programmes, ensure results and progressively inherits ownership of funding community-level efforts to prevent violent extremism.
Key Drivers of Violent Extremism
Perceived Marginalisation
Perceived governance deficit
Unemployment and lack of sustainable opportunities
Results at a Glance
Key Results
Investment & grant figures updated May 2026 · Programme results updated December 2025
Our Approach
Investment Strategy
in Tunisia
Strengthen trust among youth, community leaders and governance actors
