Olive oil is an integral part of Tunisia’s economy and livelihood, comprising half of the country's agricultural exports. Given that Tunisia is the second largest producer of the commodity globally, the industry generates a significant source of income, especially in rural areas. However, it simultaneously creates local waste management and environmental challenges.

As the representative body of the people, legislatures play a critical role in enacting policies that advance sustainable outcomes. As the world continues to face the impacts of climate change, legislatures must develop resilient institutions and policies to both prepare for and manage possible threats. They must also maintain oversight of executive actions, especially in the implementation of policies and programs that are intended to provide critical safety nets to citizens in the event of natural disasters.

Lack of accessible potable water across Tunisian constituencies is one of the Tunisian parliament’s key focuses. Acknowledging this priority and the need to solicit input from both experts and their constituents, the Assembly of the Representatives of the People’s (ARP) Agriculture Committee reached out to international partners including NDI, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the German Society for International Development (GIZ) to request their support.

In Tunisia, civil society organizations (CSOs) across the country have taken principal roles in supporting government efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. By standing up government efforts with resources, leadership, or community relationships, these CSOs have held an important role in virus response across the country.

COVID-19 has become a defining governing challenge of 2020 in countries around the world. The pandemic’s intersection with gender has created unique and disproportionate effects on women, and one of the most severe among them has been increased rates of gender-based violence (GBV). The stresses of the pandemic, increasing incidents of substance abuse, and economic strain have combined in dangerous ways for many women and their families at the same time that their access to critical support services and networks -- both formal and informal -- have been curtailed.