The European Union is taking a new step in its strategic cooperation with Tunisia through the revitalization of working-class neighborhoods throughout the country. This was highlighted by the recent visit of the European Union Ambassador to Tunisia, Mr. Giuseppe Perrone, to the city of Sfax, where he demonstrated the concrete impact of European support for improving the city’s infrastructure, particularly in the working-class neighborhoods of Markez Gaddour and Cité Bourguiba, and the creation of new cultural and sports spaces for young people in El Hajeb and Thyna.

These achievements are part of the PROVILLE 2 program, which reflects a holistic and innovative vision of urban development, transcending simple infrastructure issues to fully integrate the city’s social, cultural, and economic dimensions. This initiative aims to transform working-class neighborhoods into incubators of citizenship and true urban resilience. The objective is clear: to recreate social ties, provide vibrant living spaces, foster the emergence of cultural, economic, and community projects, and open new avenues of empowerment for younger generations.

As part of this effort, the Urban Rehabilitation and Renewal Agency (ARRU) organized a follow-up visit to several neighborhoods in Sfax to assess the results of the “Generation 1” and “Generation 2” programs of the Residential Neighborhood Rehabilitation and Integration Project. These projects aim to improve living conditions, strengthen social cohesion, and reduce territorial divides in so-called “priority” areas. They combine technical interventions (infrastructure, roads, basic services) with targeted social actions (integration, citizen participation, urban mediation). Through this strengthened partnership between the European Union and Tunisian institutions, a true model of integrated and sustainable urban development is in the making. A model that places humanity, dignity, and social justice at the heart of the city’s fabric.