Tunisia joins the Mediterranean Model Forest Network with new initiative

A new step forward in the Sustainable Management of the Mediterranean forests and landscapes has been taken with the official signing of the protocol for the Model Forest Initiative in Tunisia. The agreement, signed in Florence, marks Tunisia’s commitment to joining the Mediterranean Model Forest Network (MMFN), reinforcing regional cooperation in environmental conservation and sustainable development.

This initiative will focus on the Kroumirie-Mogods region, a vital forested area in northwestern Tunisia known for its rich biodiversity and ecological importance. The Model Forest will serve as a platform for sustainable forest management, local community engagement, and socio-economic development.

The protocol outlines a framework for collaboration between Tunisia and the MMFN within the International Model Forest Network, aiming to promote participatory governance, sustainable land-use practices, and innovative approaches to forest conservation. The agreement foresees joint research projects, capacity-building programs, exchange of best practices, and technical support from the MMFN and its partners. Additionally, it will facilitate policy dialogue and regional cooperation to enhance resilience against climate change and foster economic opportunities linked to forest-based activities.

The initiative is supported by key national and international partners, including the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, the National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water, and Forests (INRGREF), the MMFN Secretariat and the International Model Forest Network.

By integrating Tunisia into the MMFN, this agreement strengthens cooperation across the Mediterranean region, ensuring a collective effort towards more sustainable and resilient forest landscapes.

Technical details 

Area: 2,900 km²

Region: North West Tunisia (Jendouba, Beja, Bizerte) including 3 national parks and 5 nature reserves

Objectives 

• Reconcile ecological conservation with sustainable local development
• Enhance the value of Mediterranean forest landscapes, with a particular focus on cork oak forests
• Promote participatory governance in the management of natural resources
• Strengthen resilience to climate change

The initiative is built around a strong participatory approach, with plans to conduct participatory mapping of 24 landscapes with distinct identities, involving residents, visitors, and managers in the process. This will guide a series of concrete actions, including obtaining AOC certification for heather honey and mastic oil, promoting non-timber forest products (NTFPs), supporting training, events, and local economic initiatives, and establishing the National Cork Museum in Tabarka. At the same time, past experiences already illustrate the value of this approach: the flagship project People & Cork (2021) promoted cork oak forests as both an ecological and cultural treasure and encouraged sustainable traditional practices. Together, these experiences and upcoming actions contribute to an inclusive and integrated management model that reconciles ecological conservation with community development.

Next Steps

The forthcoming actions will prioritize the updating and revision of the strategic plan, structured around the following objectives:

• Preserving landscape and ecological diversity;
• Supporting a sustainable forest economy, with a focus on ecotourism and the promotion of non-timber forest products (NTFPs);
• Strengthening local representation and territorial governance;
• Facilitating the replication of the model in other Tunisian forest regions.

In parallel, efforts will be directed toward the establishment of the Kroumirie-Mogods Model Forest Association, which will serve as the formal institutional mechanism to implement and coordinate these activities.