Erasmus+ Capacity Building VET

Empowering Rural Women Through Sustainable Agriculture

SHE-GROWS transforms opportunities for rural communities in Tunisia through innovative hydroponic training and cooperative entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on empowering women.

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4 Countries, 6 Partners

60+ Women trained

Partners

Cooperative established

Months

Women to be trained

50 +

— Our mission

Building Resilience Through Innovation and Inclusion

SHE-GROWS addresses the socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by rural communities in Tunisia’s Béja and Jendouba regions. Agriculture has traditionally excluded women from land ownership and decision-making, relegating them to precarious roles with limited opportunities. By introducing hydroponics as a sustainable, resource-efficient farming technique, we enable rural communities to overcome environmental limitations while building resilience to climate challenges. The project creates pathways for economic independence and empowers women to become active participants in agricultural innovation.

Gender-Inclusive Training

Hydroponic Agriculture

Cooperative Entrepreneurship

VET Certification

Needs Assessment

Identify and analyse the technical, social, and cultural barriers affecting rural women’s capacity to adopt hydroponic farming in Tunisia.

Curriculum Development

Develop a gender-sensitive VET curriculum for hydroponic agriculture integrating sustainable entrepreneurship and cooperativism principles.

Trainer Capacity Building

Enhance the institutional and professional capacity of VET centres and trainers in Tunisia to deliver high-quality, gender-perspective training programmes.

Training and Certification

Train and certify 60 participants (at least 50% women) in hydroponic farming and sustainable entrepreneurship, implementing a pilot programme to enhance rural women’s skills and establish a functional agricultural cooperative in Tunisia.

Market Access and Sustainability

Facilitate market access and self-employment opportunities for rural women engaged in hydroponic farming while promoting awareness on VET education and gender equality.

— Working Together