Deadline: 19-May-2026
The United Nations Development Programme United Nations Development Programme is inviting qualified Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), National NGOs, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to implement awareness-raising initiatives in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan. The programme is designed to strengthen access to justice, improve rights awareness, and support vulnerable populations through community engagement and legal education activities.
Programme Objective
The main objective is to improve access to justice and strengthen public understanding of legal rights and services, particularly for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), children, and persons with disabilities. The initiative aims to increase trust in justice institutions and improve referral pathways between communities and service providers.
Institutional Framework
The initiative is implemented through a partnership between:
- United Nations Development Programme
- Judiciary of South Sudan
- Support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands
It builds on the establishment of a specialized GBV and Juvenile Court in Juba, designed to enhance accountability, protect vulnerable groups, and improve case handling for GBV and juvenile justice matters.
Geographic Focus
- Central Equatoria State, South Sudan
- Key institutional link: GBV and Juvenile Court in Juba
Key Focus Areas
The programme focuses on strengthening awareness and community engagement around:
- GBV awareness and legal response mechanisms
- Juvenile justice court mandates and procedures
- Legal remedies and survivor-centered justice approaches
- Rights of persons with disabilities and access to services
- Community support systems for survivors of GBV
- Strengthening referral and reporting pathways
- Improving collaboration between communities and justice institutions
- Reducing stigma, harmful norms, and misinformation
Implementation Activities
Selected organizations will carry out a range of community outreach and communication activities, including:
- Development of awareness materials such as:
- Brochures
- Posters and banners
- Leaflets
- Media and communication campaigns:
- Radio talk shows
- Public service announcements (PSAs)
- Community-level engagement:
- Outreach sessions in communities
- School-based awareness programmes in secondary schools
- Engagement with local leaders and justice actors
- Thematic awareness topics:
- GBV legal frameworks and survivor rights
- Juvenile justice systems and procedures
- Disability rights and inclusion
- Intersection of gender, age, and disability in access to justice
- Reporting and documentation:
- Monthly progress reports
- Documentation of lessons learned
Target Groups
The initiative targets:
- Survivors of gender-based violence (GBV)
- Children in conflict with the law
- Persons with disabilities
- Judicial and law enforcement officers
- Community and traditional leaders
- Civil society organizations
- Media professionals
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to achieve:
- Increased public awareness of GBV and juvenile justice systems
- Improved understanding of legal rights and available services
- Stronger trust in justice institutions
- Enhanced referral and reporting mechanisms
- Increased uptake of justice and protection services
- Improved collaboration between communities and formal justice systems
Funding and Duration
- Grant size: Up to USD 30,000 per project
- Duration: 3 months
- Administrative costs: Maximum 10% of total budget
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must:
- Be legally registered organizations
- Hold valid certification from the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (South Sudan)
- Demonstrate operational capacity in target locations
- Have experience implementing similar awareness or justice-related programmes
Preference will be given to:
- Women-led organizations
- Organizations with gender-sensitive approaches
- Organizations with disability-inclusive programming
- Partnerships with organizations representing persons with disabilities
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative addresses critical gaps in legal awareness, justice accessibility, and survivor support systems in South Sudan. It strengthens community-level understanding of GBV laws, juvenile justice processes, and disability rights while improving trust in formal institutions. By linking communities with justice services, it helps reduce stigma and improves access to protection and legal remedies for vulnerable groups.
Key Conclusion
The UNDP-led initiative under United Nations Development Programme provides short-term, high-impact funding for community-based awareness programmes that improve access to justice in Central Equatoria State. Through targeted outreach, legal education, and institutional collaboration, it aims to strengthen survivor-centered justice systems and enhance rights awareness among vulnerable populations.
For more information, visit UNDP.