Tunisia’s Mobdiun: Research, Art, and a Functioning Social State

Established in 2016, Mobdiun – Creative Youth (Mobdiun) is a youth-led organization that aims to inspire and empower young individuals to promote a peaceful democracy in Tunisia. Their approach involves using arts, promoting active citizenship, and technology as tools for change. Mobdiun received seed funding from ICAN’s Innovative Peace Fund (IPF) to establish the organization. Building on this support, they have successfully attracted funding from numerous other donors.

Mobdiun primarily engages youth in marginalized communities that are susceptible to violent extremism. Through their initiatives, they provide these young people with opportunities to develop skills, access valuable resources, and connect with networks that can enhance their prospects. Moreover, they actively consult both young men and young women to understand and address the varying impacts of violent extremism on each gender. Mobdiun collaborates with various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and civil society actors to foster policy dialogues and advocate for change on issues related to youth.

Research, Art, and a Functioning Social State: How to Prevent Violent Extremism

In 2016, Mobdiun received its first project grant from the IPF to conduct initial research on youth empowerment in Western Kram. The timing of this research was crucial as Tunisia faced a concerning situation in 2017, with the highest number of foreign fighters per capita in the world. Responding to this challenge, Mobdiun developed a program aimed at preventing youth from being recruited by violent extremist groups and instead inspiring them to drive positive change through peaceful and creative means.

The IPF’s support enabled Mobdiun to carry out in-depth qualitative research to assess the drivers and resilience factors of violent extremism. This research culminated in their insightful report, “Being a Teenager in Kram Ouest: Seven Years after the Revolution of January 14th, 2011 in Tunisia.” The findings emphasized the importance of developing youth skills and engaging vulnerable youth in afterschool activities. Mobdiun took a proactive approach by engaging with local and national authorities, sharing their work and research findings. By collaborating with these authorities, they aimed to build understanding and create a collective effort to address the challenges faced by the youth in the community.

Addressing Realities and Community Challenges Through Theater

In 2018, Mobdiun secured additional funding from the IPF to directly reach out to vulnerable youth, including those who have experienced social and economic exclusion or have relatives, neighbors, or friends who joined ISIS or emigrated illegally. The objective was to engage these young individuals in after-school activities.

To design these activities, Mobdiun drew upon the insights gained from their previous research and organized a series of workshops tailored to the needs of the target group. One noteworthy example was a theater workshop conducted for a small group of teenagers. During this workshop, four participants collaborated to create a play that reflected their experiences and the challenges they encountered living in Kram Ouest. The play was a powerful medium to showcase the realities faced by the participants and highlight the ways in which the community could work together to address these issues. The play’s was performed in Carthage to an audience which included the families, friends, and peers of the teenagers, as well as members of the Municipal Council and representatives from the media. Notably, the mayor of Kram Ouest attended and expressed his commitment to addressing the concerns of youth in the community.

Shaping Policy for Safer Communities

Mobdiun signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education, enabling the organization to cooperate with local offices, and granting them access to schools, students, and teachers. Additionally, they developed strong ties with cultural centers in Kram Ouest, where they continue to conduct activities for the benefit of youth in the community. Their impactful work caught the attention of Tunisia’s National Commission on the Fight Against Terrorism, and they were invited to present their research findings, ensuring the voices and needs of at-risk youth were included in the country’s counter-terrorism strategy.

Today, Mobdiun provides a diverse range of workshops and services for teenagers and older youth. These encompass various fields such as arts (theater, voice and percussion, dance, drawing and design, literary writing, slam poetry), citizenship engagement (Leadership Academy, human rights, Tunisian history, gender-based violence), financial autonomy (soft and professional skills development, personal coaching, access to government employment agencies and training centers), and psychological support (psychosocial sessions).

Building on their experience in Kram Ouest, Mobdiun actively contributes to policy briefs focusing on PVE and promoting youth civic engagement in marginalized neighborhoods throughout Tunisia.

“With a small amount of funding from ICAN, we were able to build trust with the youth and  reach policy makers.”

– Omezzine Khélifa, Founder and Executive Director, Mobdiun