This study focuses on international development and aid programs aimed at fostering economic empowerment in Tunisia, specifically examining how community actors, particularly youth workers engaged with youth and cultural centers in Tunisian suburbs, influence and co-produce these initiatives. Drawing on Bell Hooks’ concept of the margin as a site for counter-hegemonic discourse, the research explores the individual understandings of economic empowerment among local actors to uncover alternative approaches to addressing economic inequalities. Using discourse analysis of international aid documents, semi-structured interviews with NGO representatives, and unstructured interviews with local community members involved in these programs, this research highlights the nexus between global aid agendas and local understandings of economic empowerment. The study analyses the interplay between international aid interventions and localized narratives of inequality. In so doing, it aims to understand how different actors perceive economic disparities and shape strategies to mitigate them. By interrogating the discursive and practical dimensions of international development, this research seeks to foster critical reflections on the efficiency of aid programs and the agency of marginalized communities in reshaping their socio-economic landscapes. The findings aim to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how international aid can be better aligned with the needs and perspectives of local communities, ultimately enhancing the impact and relevance of development initiatives in Tunisia.