Case Study from from Kebili Governorate, Tunisia Community Societies for Rangeland Management CSs EL KHOUAR-FOUAR & MARAI REJIM MAATOUG

Two newly registered Community Societies, EL Khouar-Fouar and Marai Rejim Maatoug, manage 119 hectares of collective rangeland in the Kebili Governorate of southern Tunisia. The area is located at the edge of the Saharan pre-desert ecosystem and supports more than 3,000 sheep, goats and camels owned by 122 member households, representing approximately 720 direct beneficiaries. The rangelands are moderately degraded, with vegetation cover of only 20-25%, limited water infrastructure and repeated droughts over the last decade. The two Community Societies are seeking a combined investment of approximately TND 1.8-2.1 million (USD 580,000-680,000) to establish a joint operational platform for rangeland restoration, water infrastructure, productive herd expansion (110 additional female camels), a shared camel milk pasteurization unit and supplemental feed production. This catalytic investment will combine community-based rangeland management with commercially viable livestock value chains, increasing climate resilience, strengthening household incomes and creating a scalable model for pastoral communities across Tunisia. Expected outcomes include 119 hectares under active restoration and management, improved vegetation cover, doubled carrying capacity, higher household income, more than 800 camels managed under improved production systems, stronger community governance and a scalable model for pastoral communities across Tunisia. The proposed blended finance structure combines community self-financing, concessional finance and grant funding for non-revenue-generating restoration and governance activities.