Peacebuilding is often described in diplomatic language, but it can also be very concrete: safe spaces, training that leads to work, and local leaders who have the tools to keep tensions from turning violent. In South Sudan, the government and UN partners say two new initiatives are designed to do exactly that.
According to a UN announcement from Yambio, the Government of South Sudan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNESCO, and UN Women officially launched two peacebuilding initiatives on 8 July 2026. The programmes are supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, with complementary financing from the African Development Bank.
One initiative, called Derin Salaam, will be implemented by IOM and UNESCO over the next three years in Jonglei State, the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, and Western Equatoria State. The UN says it will support 6,000 young women and men who are at risk of recruitment into violence, through psychosocial support, livelihood opportunities, digital empowerment, and peacebuilding activities.
The second initiative, led by UN Women and UNESCO, is focused on women’s peacebuilding efforts in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal States. The UN says it will directly benefit 2,100 women and girls, strengthening women’s leadership and reinforcing community peace structures.
These are not quick fixes, and South Sudan’s challenges remain serious. But targeted programmes that invest directly in people’s capacity to earn, lead, and stay connected can be one of the most realistic ways to build stability from the ground up.
(This story reports the launch and stated commitments; impacts will depend on implementation over time.)
