EVALUATION FORUM OF “MISAHAT MUSHTARAKA” PROGRAM’S FIRST YEAR

In the realm of fostering social change and sustainable development, partnerships between (CSOs) and artists play a crucial role. That’s why in our Program Misahat Mushtaraka we tend to strenghthen these alliances to get the power to bring about innovative solutions and inspire community engagement. Between 16 & 18 of June 2023, the Evaluation Forum held in Southeast Tunisia took place, involving 15 NGOs who worked with us during the whole year (in the regions of Sfax, Gabes, Medenine, Djerba & Tataouine) with nine artists, aimed to assess the outcomes of the program and create a platform for reflection, discussion, and the generation of innovative ideas for future initiatives.

The workshop objectives were established, paving the way for an engaging exploration of the project’s process and main outcomes. A critical focus of the session revolved around the current state of CSOs in Tunisia, particularly in the southern region. The discussions shed light on the challenges faced by these organizations in engaging with their local communities. Notably, the session also provided a platform for artists to share their experiences from the artistic bootcamp held during the year.

Presenting an opportunity to foster collaboration between CSOs and artists. Through brainstorming sessions, participants unleashed their creativity, generating inspiring ideas for future artistic and cultural initiatives. They received guidance on project initiation, including identifying suitable ideas and setting clear objectives.

Filled with anticipation and creativity as the eight groups took center stage to present their proposed initiatives. These initiatives embraced diverse themes, ranging from alternative tourism to the valorization of traditional heritage and the integration of art with social and cultural issues. The underlying objective of each initiative was to expand the reach of their work across various areas and regions of Tunisia. They sought to harness the power of art and culture as catalysts for positive change, incorporating psychological expertise to address pressing social causes. Moreover, these initiatives aimed to foster awareness and appreciation of art and culture among the elderly population, empowering CSOs and citizens to become active agents of change within their communities.

The evaluation forum in South-Eastern Tunisia emerged as a powerful platform for reflection, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between CSOs and artists. By creating a common ground and assessing project outcomes, the forum successfully built an alliance that will be closely tracked and monitored in the coming period. The depth of the discussions and the generation of innovative ideas for future initiatives underscored the event’s significance. Moving forward, the commitment remains unwavering in capitalizing on the outcomes of the forum, implementing the proposed initiatives, and fostering continued collaboration between civil society organizations and artists in the south-eastern Tunisian region. This commitment holds the promise of empowering communities, driving positive change, and further strengthening the vibrant civil society in Tunisia.