Published on: 2026-07-05
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 5, 2026 Economic Development
Inspired by the cultural heritage of her region, a resident of Tunisia created her own enterprise producing products from dates, contributing to expanding opportunities for the local population
Kauter Aounalla proudly hands her regular customer a neatly packed fresh pastry. Each confection carries the warmth of the Kebili oasis, located in southern Tunisia, and demonstrates how women entrepreneurs can transform local resources into sustainable income sources that support the development of local communities. A distinctive feature of her products is the delicate, honey-like taste of dates, familiar to Kauter since childhood.
“I grew up in the countryside, and dates were always on our table,” Kauter shares her memories. “They served as a source of nutrients, helping us stay strong and healthy.”
The traditions of date cultivation, developed over many centuries, helped Kauter gain financial independence and opened up new professional opportunities for her. In 2022, after graduating from the agronomy faculty in the city of El Kef, located in northwestern Tunisia, she made a bold decision to return to her native Kebili and start her own business. This is how the small private bakery Sweet Jana appeared, where a wide range of products is created from this traditional local ingredient, contributing to the development of the local economy.
Using the natural sweet taste of dates, Kauter introduces a new approach to snacks that makes them nutritious, balanced, and aligned with the principles of a healthy lifestyle.
“We offer a diverse range of products that meet various needs: from athletes who require a natural source of energy to parents who want their children to have healthy snacks,” she explains. “In our recipes, we combine local traditions and modern methods to ensure our products meet today’s demands.”
Although the Kauter bakery has already successfully established its place in the market and is expanding its activities, her professional path as a female entrepreneur in Tunisia has not been smooth. Limited access to financing, practical information, and markets still creates significant obstacles, especially in the agricultural sector. In rural areas, where opportunities are limited and unemployment remains high, especially among university graduates, many leave abroad in search of better prospects.
“Often I had to deal with all difficulties alone,” she says. “But I did not give up because I understood the important significance of my project. The trials I overcame strengthened me and allowed me to gain valuable experience for further growth.”
Kauter is one of the participants in the Agricultural Development Acceleration Program developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aimed at providing individual advisory assistance and expert support to young agribusinesses in eleven countries across Europe, North and West Africa, as well as Southeast Asia. Thanks to the technical and financial support provided under this FAO program, Kauter was able to improve the qualifications and professional level of its staff, increase the profitability of its enterprise, and expand its positive social and environmental impact.
© FAO/H. Ben-Hassin Under the FAO program, Kauter was able to improve the skills and professional level of its enterprise’s employees, increase its profitability, as well as expand its positive social and environmental impact.
The program is aimed not only at supporting individual entrepreneurs but also at strengthening the entire agribusiness support system through training mentors and representatives of organizations working with young agricultural enterprises. Kauter closely collaborated with a mentor specializing in responsible investing, which enabled her to increase the efficiency and sustainability of her enterprise.
“Mentorship has changed my approach to work. What used to seem difficult has become more understandable,” Kauter shared. “When there is support nearby, you feel more confident and realize that you are not alone. A mentor will always come to help and guide you.”
The program helps small agricultural enterprises overcome major challenges and gradually reach a new level. This is especially important for Tunisia, where many enterprises find it difficult to expand their activities and develop. In practice, providing such support yields tangible results: according to FAO’s assessment, two years after the program’s completion, most enterprises that received assistance continue to grow or expand their activities.
The agricultural development acceleration program is aimed at supporting enterprises in the agro-food sector that are not only economically sustainable but also benefit people and the environment. This approach largely reflects Kauter’s own views.
Aware of the difficulties faced by women in her country, Kauter made empowering them one of the core principles of her business. She employed eight women from her family and neighboring communities, creating new opportunities in rural areas where they remain extremely limited.
“It was important for me to show that our project can truly contribute to the development of the local economy,” shares Kauter. “Helping women find employment and achieve financial independence, especially in rural areas, is one of my main goals.”
In her work, Kauter also pays great attention to issues of environmental responsibility. This principle is at the core of her enterprise’s operations. At the Sweet Jana bakery, environmentally safe packaging is used, and waste is minimized at all stages of production, which allows reducing the environmental impact, although small producers still rarely use such methods. Even the date pits are not thrown away: they are given to farmers who process them into livestock feed, enabling a closed-loop cycle, reducing waste, and supporting local agricultural production.
Just like Kauter, young entrepreneurs in the agri-food sector around the world are turning local resources into new opportunities, creating their own businesses and new jobs, contributing to the development of their communities. With support provided through the Agricultural Development Acceleration Program, they are moving towards more sustainable and responsible forms of entrepreneurship, contributing to the creation of more inclusive, resilient to external shocks, and sustainable agri-food systems.
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