Upcycling for Change: Chkarty Builds a Sustainable Future in Tunisia
Posted on 18 Sep 2025
Teycyr Chtioui is the co-founder of Chkarty, a Tunisian design brand upcycling old fabrics into bags, clutches, and computer sleeves.
In 2020, I spent 3 Euros on a piece of old fabric, designed a very simple bag, and hired a seamstress to make it. Now I have transformed 8 tons of old fabric and sold 22,000 products.
/ Teycyr Chtioui - co-founder, Chkarty
As a trained designer, Teycyr didn’t have experience starting or running a business. Through the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme’s Youth Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Project, implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in Tunisia, she joined Impact Partner’s 4-month startup programme, which helped her build a sustainable business model.
“That is when I started to understand the business side of things, and I ended up changing my whole business setup – it was a big improvement,” Teycyr explains.
The core of Chkarty is sustainability. Teycyr collects waste fabric from factories and second-hand markets and turns it into zero-waste products.
When making trash into something valuable, I feel proud. In the beginning, I spent a lot of time convincing people why they should buy a recycled product instead of something new. But now they keep coming back for more.
/ Teycyr Chtioui - co-founder, Chkarty
After finalizing with Impact Partner, Teycyr continued to UNDP’s five-month incubation programme, preparing her to scale her business further. The UNDP programme is also financed by the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) under its Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship framework, ensuring coordinated support across partners
“The direct mentorship I get is so valuable. Now we are working on getting my business certified for global recycling standards – something I could have never done alone.”
Today, Teycyr employs 12 seamstresses, has built a strong online brand, and is looking to expand her business abroad.
“In a busy month I can sell up to 3,000 products, and I am looking to export to France and potentially get my products on Amazon. I started with 3 Euros, and now I sell for 60,000 Euros annually.”
In the next few weeks, Chkarty is moving to a bigger workshop, and Teycyr is planning to hire at least two more full-time staff members.
It makes me happy that by growing my company, I can create jobs in my community. That is a good feeling.
/ Teycyr Chtioui - co-founder, Chkarty
What started with 3 Euros and an idea to transform old fabric into a simple bag is now a sustainable business on the rise, selling thousands of products every month.
About the Project
This initiative is part of the youth inclusion and employment project(YIEP), under the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP) 2022–2027, funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In Tunisia, DRC leads the programme, which equips young people — particularly women — with entrepreneurial and technical skills to enhance employability and support them to launch and grow their own businesses. Through tailored training, mentorship, and financial support, DRC and its partners enable young entrepreneurs like Teycyr to transform creative ideas into sustainable enterprises
