Context

"My country is famous for its produce,
The Creator shaped it in His finest image,
Its fruits are always appreciated,
Desired in every land,
Oh, my eyes upon Béni Khalled..."

Thus sang Ouleya in the 1960s, celebrating this agricultural land. Sixty years on, the citrus fruits of Béni Khalled remain a source of pride and wealth for this northeastern Tunisian town, nestled in the Cap Bon region.

However, by 2025, the issue of fruit degradation has become a pressing concern. Citrus fruits deemed unsuitable for the fresh produce market are left to rot, as no formal recycling system exists. These wild waste deposits pose both sanitary and environmental hazards. Local craftswomen, recognising the issue, began informally transforming these abandoned citrus fruits.

UN-Habitat Tunisia, having identified the issue early on, commissioned a team of economics and management researchers to support the craftswomen in developing a collective entrepreneurial project grounded in the circular economy. Waste management experts were also involved to provide technical assessment.