Today, the European Union and its partners Mercy Corps, Eve Organisation, and the Institute for the Promotion of Civil Society (IPCS) launched the Supporting Civil Society Empowerment in South Sudan (SUCCESS) project. The project aims at strengthening the technical and organisational capacities of local civil society organisations (CSOs) as agents of good governance and development in South Sudan.

In his keynote remarks at the launch, the European Union Ambassador to South Sudan, Timo Olkkonen, acknowledged the progress made thus far, but also highlighted the numerous challenges that are hindering the effective operation of CSOs.

“The volatile situation in South Sudan has affected the development, functioning and operation of CSOs, particularly those working in advocacy and lobbying for accountability and transparency,” said Ambassador Olkkonen. 

“South Sudan generally exhibits a low level of democracy, performing poorly across all categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. It ranks in the bottom 25% of countries in most democracy indices. Although the country has made some progress in areas such as the rule of law and access to justice, these gains are fragile and overshadowed by ongoing challenges.”

Speaking as the chief guest, Michael Philip Pia, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Peacebuilding, appealed to the future 140 beneficiary organisations of the SUCCESS Project to encourage community participation in the design and implementation of their projects. “This is a noble cause. I would like to thank our partners, Mercy Corps and the European Union," said Hon. Pia. “Design those impactful projects collectively with the beneficiary communities. Don't cook for them because they won't enjoy eating it. Cook with them.”

The Mercy Corps Country Director, Saffea Senessie, and the Undersecretary for the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Hon. Esther Ikere, were also in attendance at the launch of the SUCCESS Project. 

The €4 million EU-funded project will strengthen the capacities of at least 140 grassroots organisations and formal networks across the ten states and three administrative areas. 

SUCCESS is built on a culture of equitable partnership and a systematic approach to local ownership, including readiness measurement, strengthening of capacity and commitment, coaching, key inflection points, and benchmarking.

EUDSSD

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