Storytooling Bootcamp in Ghar El Melh: When youth and heritage meet to innovate

Our Tunisian partner TICDCE (Tunis International Center for Digital Cultural Economy) is the country’s first cultural and technological incubator of its kind. Created by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, this incubator is located in the heart of the Cité de la Culture in Tunis and supports cultural development policies through digital means and innovation. The TICDCE offers an open space for experimentation to institutions, creative companies, students, and young adults with innovative projects in the fields of cultural and creative industries (media, audiovisual, heritage, architecture, etc.).

As a complement to the actions of the European partners, the TICDCE has implemented Storytooling in Ghar El Melh, an agricultural village located in the Bizerte region, known for its unique traditional agricultural method: Ramli farming, which has been inscribed on the world heritage list by the FAO.

Ramli Farming: A Heritage to Save

Ramli farming, recognised as part of the world’s agricultural heritage due to its ingenious system, involves growing crops on sandy substrates, as the name “Ramli” (meaning “on sand”) suggests. These unique gardens were created in the 17th century by the Andalusian diaspora to address the lack of arable land and freshwater.

This rare and ingenious know-how is threatened by urbanisation and the gradual loss of awareness among younger generations.

Storytooling aims to revitalise this heritage by enabling the youth of Ghar El Melh to rediscover and promote Ramli farming through experimentation and immersion in their own heritage. By combining local culture with contemporary approaches to collaborative design and creation, the project aims to strengthen young people’s sense of belonging to their territory and promote their social and economic inclusion.

Immersion and Co-Creation: Key Moments of the Project

The project’s implementation in Ghar El Melh involved ten young participants from various backgrounds (designers, urban planners, artists, cultural managers). Divided into three teams, they followed a human-centered design methodology, allowing them to adopt a participatory and inclusive approach. The project unfolded in several key stages:

On the first day, participants were introduced to the human-centered design methodology by our Creative Expert, Ms. Ines Cheniour. They were also immersed in the history and culture of Ghar El Melh through a visit to the village and discussions about Ramli farming. Explainer videos and reports highlighted the unique aspects of this agricultural practice, and interviews with local experts enriched participants’ understanding of the region’s intangible heritage.

Ms. Zohra, president of the Local Union of Farmers and Fishermen of Ghar El Melh, shared her struggle for the official recognition of Ramli farming, a unique know-how that is still insufficiently supported by local policies. This meeting allowed participants to grasp the complex issues surrounding the preservation of this heritage.

The second day was dedicated to analyzing and reformulating the main challenge: how to re-engage young people in the preservation of their heritage? The teams explored different ideas during ideation sessions, using creative methodologies to redefine innovative perspectives. Three points of view emerged:

  • POV 1: The traditional know-how of Ramli farming is a key element of the residents’ identity, capable of enhancing their pride and sense of belonging.
  • POV 2: The potatoes of Ghar El Melh, a symbol of Ramli farming, could become a powerful vehicle for promoting local intangible heritage.
  • POV 3: If Ramli farming disappears, it is essential to pass on this knowledge to future generations, notably through educational games and pedagogical initiatives.

On the third day, participants worked on prototypes for three main ideas. These prototypes will be refined in the following week, leading to a final concept that can be tested and potentially developed.

By combining heritage, innovation, and inclusion, the Storytooling project represents a new way of reimagining heritage, driven by and for the youth. Through the collaborative design approach, it breathes new life into endangered skills while offering young people learning and personal development opportunities. This participatory and inclusive approach could serve as a model for similar initiatives across Europe and beyond.