Engaging Tunisian youth in politics

Fostering youth engagement in the political sphere holds the potential to develop a lifelong engagement in the democratic process and sustain Tunisia’s democratic transition.

Search for Common Ground, an INGO focused on peacebuilding and conflict transformation, has leveraged the role of mass media by producing and broadcasting the reality television program “I am the President” to reach large youth and adult audiences across Tunisia. The program sought to increase young women and men’s interest in constructively participating in politics, peacefully engaging with their national and local governments, and improving mutual understanding and trust, ultimately contributing to higher youth turnout in the 2019 elections in Tunisia.

Voluntas Policy Advisory supported Search for Common Ground before the implementation of the program, conducting a baseline assessment analyzing Tunisian youth perceptions and engagement in politics and democratic processes and the role of media. Moreover, Voluntas evaluated the program and its impact, capturing lessons learned and recommendations for future programming.

Young participants from the television program “I am the President”