TNPC services help reduce hunger and malnutrition, and increase incomes, educational standards and human well-being through microfinance, institution-building, training and capacity development.

Some examples of recent UNOPS-supported projects include:

Agricultural development

The Agropastoral Development and Local Initiatives Promotion Programme for the South-East is helping address widespread poverty in the arid Kebili and Tataoine governates of Tunisia. UNOPS administers an IFAD loan to the national government of approximately $19 million, implementing activities through a partnership formed with the project area's 73,000 people, the state and other stakeholders.

The programme addresses agricultural development in a holistic manner, with components addressing, among other things, basic socio-economic infrastructure (roads, water supply, dams and boreholes, and seed production); socio-territorial development (the training and establishment of community development, and the introduction of new agricultural practices and equipment); and microenterprise development.

Among the many benefits thus realized are increased productivity and incomes, greater engagement of women and young people in decision-making and strengthened organizational structures and capacities of the local people.

Rural infrastructure

In Yemen the pilot Community-based Rural Infrastructure Project for Highland Areas Dhamar Project improves the living standards of poor rural people in remote communities where inadequate basic infrastructure and isolation have limited development. On behalf of IFAD, UNOPS administers a loan of approximately $9 million to the Yemeni government to finance infrastructure improvements.

The project is fostering ownership, encouraging communities to participate in decision-making and to contribute voluntary labour and materials. Many infrastructure micro-projects – including the construction of irrigation systems, dams, primary schools, roads and health centres – have already been completed. TNPC has helped establish community groups to manage the new facilities and has set up a literacy programme. As a result, communities in the region are less isolated and overall mobility is improving, including access to markets, drinking water and other rural services.