Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and led by Hivos, this ambitious program sought to tackle the intertwined crises of climate change and unemployment by fostering green and sustainable economic opportunities across the region. Over four transformative years, GreenWorks empowered youth, supported local businesses, and laid the foundation for a greener future in North Africa.

Building green economies: the vision

GreenWorks set out with a bold mission: to create 9,000 green jobs for young people in North Africa while driving climate action and innovation. With a focus on Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria, the program formed the GreenWorks Alliance, uniting 15 partners, including incubators, accelerators, think tanks, and employability hubs. Together, they worked to demonstrate that green enterprises could not only combat climate change but also provide financially rewarding and sustainable opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

To achieve this, GreenWorks focused on:

• supporting the formation of innovation clusters to scale businesses in green and digital economies
• strengthening the capacities of Business Development Support Organizations (BDSOs) and employability hubs to drive private sector development and job creation
• equipping youth with 21st-century skills to access opportunities in the green sector
• scaling social enterprises to create and sustain green jobs

Turning challenges into opportunities

The journey was not without hurdles. The MENA region, already vulnerable to climate change, faced worsening droughts, floods, and economic instability. Political challenges, inflation, and the Covid-19 pandemic further strained resources. Yet GreenWorks proved that innovation and collaboration could turn adversity into opportunity.

By the end of the program in 2024, GreenWorks had achieved remarkable results:

• Jobs created: 8,064 jobs, achieving 89% of the program’s target.
• Social enterprises supported: 422 social enterprises in Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia received financial and technical support, significantly exceeding the initial target of 200 enterprises.
• Private investments mobilized: €6 million raised, far surpassing the original target of €900,000.
• Youth trained: More than 10,000 young people were trained in formal and non-formal education programs, equipping them with the skills needed for the green economy.

The GreenWorks Fund for Just Transition (GFJT)

The GFJT, Greenworks’ matching fund, supported green enterprises through equity-free funding, catalyzing over €6 million in private investment. Enterprises like TileGreen, which upcycled 145 million plastic bags into building materials, and Kumulus, producing water-from-air technology, achieved critical milestones with GFJT’s support. By actively engaging with investors, the initiative fostered trust in green business models and demonstrated their potential for strong returns. This collaborative approach not only transformed businesses but also reshaped perceptions of green entrepreneurship as viable, scalable, and investment-worthy.

Regional highlights

Project approach and lessons

1. Local partners at the core: GreenWorks harnessed the expertise of 15 local organizations, including incubators, accelerators, and employability hubs, to drive green innovation and create sustainable economic opportunities in Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. These partnerships produced tailored-made initiatives suited to local challenges and opportunities.
2. Flexibility and resilience: The program demonstrated adaptability by adjusting strategies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, economic instability, and regional crises. Examples include online learning tools, virtual collaboration, and a focus on job retention during downturns.
3. Cluster building and collaboration: Regional clusters were formed to foster cross-border innovation. For example, Nahdet El Mahrousa in Egypt and CleanTech Arabia collaborated on green technology projects, while Flat6Labs Tunisia and Impact Partner jointly launched the “Green4Youth” accelerator to support green businesses.
4. Capacity: Tailored support for Business Development Support Organizations (BDSOs) enabled them to scale operations and secure €6.95 million in external funding, highlighting the transformative potential of local capacity building.
5. Inclusivity and decentralization: GreenWorks focused on underserved regions, such as Upper Egypt, and nearly achieved gender parity in its initiatives. This approach addressed geographic and structural inequities, creating opportunities in marginalized areas.

Examples of country-specific interventions

Tunisia

• Flat6Labs Tunisia and Impact Partner supported 32 startups through the Green4Youth accelerator, creating 265 jobs.
• The Tunisian Center for Social Entrepreneurship (TCSE) focused on micro-enterprises in underserved regions, creating 72 jobs and sustaining 100 others.
• Seniatna helped over 100 women artisans reach international markets through quality and logistics support.

Egypt

• Nahdet El Mahrousa accelerated 17 green startups, creating 390 jobs, with notable successes like Tilestic securing investment after appearing on Shark Tank.
• Changelabs supported 30 startups, sustaining or creating 636 jobs through its Scale Up to Green program.
• Kumulus deployed water-from-air technology, and TileGreen transformed 145 million plastic bags into building materials.

Algeria

• Sylabs supported 122 green startups, reaching 500 km outside Algiers and creating 697 jobs.
• AFC Recyclage specialized in waste management and partnered with Sylabs to provide technical and financial support for green enterprises.

Learning and events

Green Growth Summit (2024)
Held in Tunisia and Egypt, the summit gathered over 400 stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, and entrepreneurs, to create partnerships and discuss green investments and job creation. Outcomes included follow-up investor meetings and roadmaps for green initiatives.

Futures Labs
These workshops had stakeholders imagine sustainable futures that address climate adaptation and promote local food systems. Initiatives included scenario planning and actionable pathways for green transitions.

Partner networking and learning sessions
Organized by JRNY (formerly known as ElRehla), these retreats provided platforms for alliance members to share best practices, improve program cohesion, and create long-term partnerships.

A catalyst for change: the Green Growth Summit

One of the program’s defining moments was the Green Growth Summit, held in Egypt and Tunisia in 2024. This landmark event brought together over 400 participants, including policymakers, donors, investors, and green entrepreneurs, to create partnerships and share insights on sustainable development in North Africa. The summit highlighted the pivotal role of youth and innovation in addressing climate challenges, while showcasing successful green enterprises supported by GreenWorks. Extensive media coverage, including appearances on major media outlets, amplified the summit’s impact and established it as a central platform for the green economy in the region. Notable outcomes included the formation of donor task forces, 15 follow-up investor meetings, and actionable roadmaps for green initiatives.

Lasting impact

GreenWorks’ impact extends far beyond its initial targets. For example, the program’s success has spurred new initiatives, notably the Challenge Fund for a Just Transition (CFJT), which aims to create 10,000 additional green jobs in North Africa. By fostering collaboration among partners, mobilizing investments, and building resilient ecosystems, GreenWorks also helped position the region as a hub for green innovation and entrepreneurship.

Building on this success, Hivos remains committed to using the support provided by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to further scale up this transformative approach and amplify its results.

We thank our supporters and partners

The program’s successes would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the dedicated efforts of our partners in the GreenWorks Alliance. Led by Hivos, the Alliance implemented the program’s activities and contributed to its remarkable successes. Key members of the alliance included: Nahdet El Mahrousa, AUC VLab, CleanTech Arabia, and Alexandria Angels from Egypt; Fondation Tunisie Pour le Développement, Flat6Labs Tunisia, Impact Partner, and the Tunisian Center for Social Entrepreneurship from Tunisia; and Sylabs from Algeria.

Additionally, regional and international collaborators such as New Silk Roads (NSR), Med Angels Investment Network, JRNY (formerly known as ElRehla), Education for Employment Tunisia, and Wasabi brought invaluable expertise in incubation, acceleration, vocational training, and angel investment. Their contributions not only created jobs and fostered innovation, but have also inspired hope, showing how collaboration and commitment can pave the way for a sustainable and fair future.