About APEL

More than 54 years of experience serving rural development in Tunisia’s Northwest.

Group gathered for a meeting in a room, presentation photograph.

Our story

One of the first Tunisian NGOs dedicated to supporting disadvantaged rural communities

With more than 54 years of experience, we are experts in integrated and sustainable rural development (ISRD), organic farming, natural resource management and local civil society organisation.

Our mission: To sustainably improve living conditions in the four northwestern governorates (Bizerte, Béja, Jendouba and Le Kef), promoting autonomy, equity and resilience in the face of socioeconomic and environmental challenges.

People gathered in a rural setting, presentation photograph.

Autonomy

Local people and organisations manage their own development.

Equity

Gender equity is at the heart of a participatory approach.

Resilience

In the face of socioeconomic and environmental challenges.

Identity

Official profile

Reference information for our partners and funders.

Official nameAssociation for the Promotion of Employment and Housing
AcronymA.P.E.L.
Official Gazette publication28 July 1972 · Official Gazette No. 1757
Tax number0014499/Q/N/000
TypeRural development association with recognised field experience, granted public-interest status by presidential decree in 1980
Head officeAriana Governorate — 46 Abderrahmène Ibn Aouf Street, 2091 – UV4 Menzah VI
Membership9 members
Websitewww.apel.tn

Milestones

  1. 1972Publication in the Official Gazette
  2. 1980Recognition as serving the public interest
  3. 2025Review of more than five decades of work
  4. 2026-2030Strategic outlook

Governance

The association’s leadership

An association of 9 members, led by a board and an executive director.

Generic illustration of a male association leader, not an authentic portrait.

Mr Med Kamel HAJ SASSI

President and legal representative

Generic illustration of a male association leader, not an authentic portrait.

Mr Mohamed Salah TRIKI

Secretary General

Generic illustration of a female association leader, not an authentic portrait.

Ms Naziha DRIDI

Treasurer

Generic illustration of a male association leader, not an authentic portrait.

Mr Mohamed Salah MANSOURI

Executive Director and contact person

Team

An experienced field team, guided by central leadership

We have an experienced field team, complemented by a central directorate based in Tunis that ensures administrative, financial and technical monitoring, oversight and compliance.

Central directorate (Tunis)

Administrative, financial and technical monitoring, oversight and compliance

Regional branches

Bizerte · Béja · Jendouba · Le Kef

Field teams

Engagement, training and support for local organisations

A person presenting to a group gathered in a room.
A group discussing work in a rural field.
A group of people talking around a table.

Regional presence

A regional branch in each governorate of the Northwest

Decentralised management ensures a response adapted to local realities.

Illustrative map marking Bizerte, Béja, Jendouba and Le Kef.

Bizerte

Béja

Jendouba

Le Kef

Illustrative map of the indicated intervention areas in northwestern Tunisia.

Where we work

Northern Tunisia and the Northwest, with a planned expansion into central Tunisia

The most disadvantaged forest and rural areas: Béja, Jendouba, El Kef, Siliana and Bizerte, with a planned extension into central and central-western Tunisia.

Target population

  • Vulnerable populations in rural and forest areas
  • Men, women, girls and boys
  • Unemployed graduates and young entrepreneurs in the northern and northwestern governorates