Promoting local administrations and peaceful coexistence in South Sudan

Context

In South Sudan, 80 per cent of the population lives in rural areas. However, local administrations are often unable to provide public services due to a lack of training opportunities for staff. Moreover, the rural population has very limited opportunities to participate in local decision-making – especially women and young adults.

Many young men cannot fulfil the role of provider for the family due to a high unemployment rate. They frequently resort to armed crime and have a higher risk of being manipulated by people who hold power and incited to unrest. In addition, acts of war and human rights violations largely go unpunished. Sexualised and gender-based violence against women and girls is also widespread.

Objective

Selected individuals from local administration and civil society contribute in communities to a constructive relationship between state and society.

Approach

The project advises selected administrative countries in South Sudan on improving the provision of services for the rural population, taking a needs-based approach and expanding citizen participation.

It works in the following areas:

The project supports young adults and women in contributing to peaceful development and violence prevention. It also implements small-scale projects with selected organisations that create and increase income for these groups.

Moreover, it is expanding further training for staff in local administrations and civil society organisations. There is a focus on managing public finances more transparently. It also provides support to give all population groups the opportunity to voice their needs and interests and implement selected measures through inclusive development planning.

In addition, it develops the skills of youth, sport and women’s organisations in order to run physical education activities in a pilot district. It implements approaches designed to prevent gender inequality and violence. (This field of activity is not cofinanced by the European Union.)

Last update: April 2024