(English version follows)

« La confiance en soi et la chance de servir de modèle pour les autres. » Voilà les deux réponses que donne spontanément Mme Fedoua Derouiche, directrice de la coopération internationale au ministère de la Femme, de la Famille, de l’Enfance et des Seniors, lorsqu’on lui demande ce que gagneront les femmes des régions rurales de la Tunisie si elles développent leur petite ou moyenne entreprise (PME).

Le nouveau programme en entrepreneuriat féminin lancé par son ministère va offrir de la formation et des crédits financiers aux PMEs sélectionnés en se basant une analyse dess chaîne des valeurs et des perspectives d’employabilité, surtout au profit des femmes en milieu rural qui représentent plus de 70% de la main d’œuvre agricole.

Malgré l’envergure de ce programme, Mme Derouiche dispose d’une précieuse ressource pour le mener à terme : une experte canadienne en entrepreneuriat féminin, qui offrira son aide dans le cadre du Partenariat d’assistance technique (PAT) financé par Affaires mondiales Canada (AMC).

Les experts canadiens des projets du PAT travaillent avec des entités gouvernemental nationales des pays admissibles à l’aide publique au développement du Canada. L’ambassade canadienne à Tunis a vu l’opportunité d’aider le ministère dans le cadre de cette initiative novatrice. Le ministère a par la suite travaillé de pair avec le personnel de l’ambassade pour fixer les paramètres de l’assistance technique requise.

« Le Canada est un important partenaire du développement de la Tunisie depuis plusieurs années, affirme Mme Derouiche. Ensemble, nous avons réalisé nombre de grands projets. C’est pourquoi nous n’avons pas hésité à accueillir une conseillère canadienne au sein de notre nouveau programme. »

À titre de partenaire d’AMC pour la mise en œuvre du PAT, Alinea International s’occupe de coordonner l’assistance technique offerte par l’experte en entrepreneuriat féminin sélectionnée. La conseillère mobilisée par Alinea international permettra ainsi de donner une forte impulsion au nouveau programme du ministère.

La Politique d’aide internationale féministe (PAIF) du Canada est un vecteur clé du PAT et de ses initiatives d’assistance technique. Soulignons que le programme du ministère de la Femme, de la Famille, de l’Enfance et des Seniors de la Tunisie s’accorde étroitement aux champs d’action de la PAIF, y compris la croissance au service de tous, ainsi que l’égalité des genres et le renforcement du pouvoir des femmes et des filles. Il s’aligne également sur le champ d’action relatif à l’environnement et l’action pour le climat puisque les femmes s’emploieront à accroître la durabilité de leur entreprise et elles seront encouragées à adopter des technologies vertes et propres.

Mme Derouiche indique que le programme vise à aider les femmes entrepreneures à faire face à de nombreux obstacles, notamment les changements climatiques et la pénurie d’eau. « L’adoption de nouvelles technologies et l’adhésion au principe d’écoresponsabilité renforceront la stabilité et la rentabilité des PMEs et pousseront les cheffes d’entreprise à devenir des pionnières de leur domaine, à contribuer à la recherche et à insuffler un vent de changement positif en Tunisie et dans l’ensemble de l’Afrique. Le programme du ministère de la Femme, de la Famille, de l’Enfance et des Seniors, avec l’assistance technique du Canada, les accompagnera sur cette voie. »

Accelerating Women’s Entrepreneurship in Tunisia with Canadian Technical Assistance

“Self-confidence and the opportunity to be a role model to others.” These are the two answers that Ms. Fedoua Derouiche, Director of International Cooperation at Tunisia’s Ministry of Women, Family, Children and Seniors, gives when asked what women in rural Tunisia will gain if they expand their small or medium-sized enterprise (SME).

A new women’s entrepreneurship program launched by her Ministry will provide training and financial credits to selected SMEs based on a value chain analysis and employability prospects, especially for rural women who represent more than 70% of the agricultural workforce.

Despite the wide scope of this program, Ms. Derouiche has a valuable resource to help her make it a success: a Canadian expert in women’s entrepreneurship, who will provide assistance through the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP), funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the TAP project matches Canadian experts work with national entities in countries eligible for Canada’s official development assistance. Through TAP, Canadian Embassy in Tunis saw an opportunity to assist the Ministry with this innovative initiative. The Ministry subsequently worked with Canadian Embassy staff to set the parameters of the technical assistance required.

“Canada has been an important development partner for Tunisia for many years,” said Ms. Derouiche. “We’ve worked with Canada successfully on some large projects. When we had the opportunity to have a Canadian join this new program as an advisor, it seemed like a good match.”

Alinea International, as GAC’s implementing partner for TAP, is coordinating the provision of technical assistance by the selected expert in women’s entrepreneurship. The consultant will provide guidance and motivation for the Ministry’s new program.

Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) is a key vehicle for the TAP and its technical assistance initiatives. Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) is a key driver for TAP and its Technical Assistance Initiatives. The MAFFEPA program has a strong alignment with the FIAP’s six action areas, including inclusive growth, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. It also aligns with the environment and climate action agenda as women will work to increase the sustainability of their businesses and will be encouraged to adopt green and clean technologies.

Derouiche says the program aims to help women entrepreneurs address many obstacles, including climate change and water scarcity. “The adoption of new technologies and adherence to the principle of environmental responsibility will enhance the stability and profitability of SMEs. It will push women entrepreneurs to become pioneers in their field, contribute to research and bring about positive change in Tunisia and in Africa as a whole. The Ministry program, with technical assistance from Canada, will support them in doing this.”

alinea’s whistleblower policy

1.1 Purpose

The following Whistleblower Policy has been established to provide guidance to Alinea International employees and sub-contractors on how to deal with known or suspected improper conduct within the organization. The objectives of this Policy are to:

Create awareness of the Policy and available whistleblower protections
Act as a reference guide to potential whistleblowers wishing to make a disclosure
Define the structure of the whistleblower system, including reporting and investigation procedures, whistleblower protections, and confidentiality, among others
Improve the communication and transparency in the processes associated with whistleblowing and assure protection against derogatory consequences, namely reprisals and detrimental action
Complement the current communication channels between employees, sub-contractors and immediate managers, and hierarchical channels flowing to the President and Senior Management team
Provide guidance to all parties involved in either whistleblowing or whistleblower protection.

1.2 Scope

Alinea requires all employees and sub-contractors to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All employees and sub-contractors of Alinea are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations of Canada and the countries where we operate. Any allegations of known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources will be dealt with in accordance with this Policy, and reasonable steps will be taken to protect those who come forward with allegations. Alinea’s Whistleblower Policy covers both internal and external whistleblowing, and establishes the controls and procedures for dealing with allegations of malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is intended to encourage employees and sub-contractors to report known or suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources and to enable Alinea’s Senior Management team to address and correct inappropriate action. It is the responsibility of all Board of Directors’ members, the Senior Management team, employees and sub-contractors to report concerns about known or suspected malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. This Policy is applicable to all employees and sub-contractors of Alinea International.

1.3 Reporting Procedures

Alinea recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and management practices and supports the making of disclosures that reveal improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. Our internal controls and operating procedures are intended to detect and prevent malpractice, fraud and violations of our code of ethics and/or laws or regulations that govern our operations. As detailed in Alinea’s Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals, employees and sub-contractors are encouraged to share complaints and/or concerns regarding ethical or legal violations with their immediate managers. If the employee or sub-contractor is not comfortable speaking with their immediate manager or is not satisfied with the response, they are encouraged to speak with the Gatineau or Calgary Office Managers, the Vice Presidents or, as required, the Chief Financial Officer. All members of the Senior Management team are required to report complaints and/or concerns about suspected ethical or legal violations in writing to Alinea’s Ethics Committee who has the responsibility to investigate all reported complaints and/or concerns. In the event that the complaint and/or concern is about the President, it should be raised by the employee or sub-contractor to their immediate manager or the Ethics Committee who will determine how the investigation will proceed. All reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective measures will be taken if warranted by the investigation. Alinea’s Ethics Committee is responsible for acknowledging receipt of the suspected violation and notifying the whistleblower of the outcome of the investigation. Anyone filing a written complaint concerning suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources must be acting in good faith and have reasonable grounds for believing the information disclosed indicates a violation. Personal grievances or complaints related to employment are not covered under Alinea’s Whistleblowing Policy. For cases such as this, employees and sub-contractors are advised to first refer to Alineas Employee Policy and Onboarding manuals when considering a disclosure under the Whistleblowing Policy. Any allegations that prove not to be substantiated and which prove to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense.

1.4 Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial to ensure reprisals are not made against the whistleblower. Alinea is committed to safeguarding the identity of the whistleblower and to protecting the whistleblower against detrimental action taken in reprisal for allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources. The Ethics Committee is responsible for ensuring whistleblowers are protected from direct and indirect detrimental action, and that the culture of the workplace is supportive of suspected allegations being made. Any employee who retaliates against someone who has reported a violation in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.

1.5 Review

Alinea is committed to implementing ‘best practice’ policies and procedures for dealing with allegations of suspected improper conduct or mismanagement of organizational resources (as defined by this Policy) and the management and protection of whistleblowers making allegation(s). This Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it meets the objectives of relevant legislation and remains effective for Alinea, and may be changed at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. For allegations of fraud, securities law, or human rights concerns, or when you are not satisfied or uncomfortable with following the Company’s open door policy, individuals should contact the Company’s Ethics Committee directly.

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Stimuler l’entrepreneuriat féminin en Tunisie grâce à l’assistance technique du Canada