Mercy Corps and the Institute for Promotion of Civil Society (IPCS) have awarded third-party grants to 32 South Sudanese Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the Supporting Civil Society Empowerment in South Sudan (SUCCESS) Programme. The European Union-funded initiative aims to strengthen locally led development, organizational capacity, and community participation across South Sudan. The four-year programme is implemented by Mercy Corps in partnership with IPCS.
The beneficiaries were selected through a competitive proposal process that included training, coaching, mentorship, and organizational assessments. Under the awards, Civil Society Organizations and Community-Based Organizations received US$5,688, national organizations received US$45,500, while networks and coalitions were awarded US$68,000. The grants aim to support local organizations in driving real, lasting change in their communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, IPCS Head of Programmes Kubako John Joseph described the awards as an important milestone in empowering local organizations. Joseph said the successful applicants distinguished themselves through innovative ideas, community connections, and experience addressing local challenges. He stressed that community challenges require collaboration rather than isolated interventions.
Joseph urged beneficiaries to demonstrate transparency, local leadership, and commitment to measurable results, while assuring them of continued technical and capacity-building support from IPCS and Mercy Corps. He emphasized that the funding should be viewed as an investment in leadership, organizational expertise, and communities, rather than simply financial assistance.
Mercy Corps SUCCESS Programme Manager Lydia Milla said the awards mark the next stage of a programme that began in January 2025. Milla said the initiative had taken participants through a challenging learning process involving organizational training and institutional development. She highlighted improvements in organizational policies, financial management, auditing, and monitoring systems among participating organizations.
Mercy Corps Country Director Darius Radcliffe said the ceremony represented more than the signing of grant agreements. Radcliffe described the grants as investments in local leadership and stronger institutions capable of responding to community needs. He congratulated the recipients for completing the demanding capacity-building process and thanked partners and stakeholders who contributed to the initiative.
Representing the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), Mach Benjamin urged beneficiaries to manage the funds responsibly and transparently. Benjamin emphasized that grants must be used strictly for their intended purposes, alongside proper financial management, documentation, and accountability. The SUCCESS Programme partners say the implementation phase will focus on translating the strengthened organizational systems into community-level interventions while promoting local ownership, accountability, and measurable results.
Key points
- The European Union-funded SUCCESS Programme aims to strengthen locally led development, organizational capacity, and community participation across South Sudan.
- 32 South Sudanese civil society organizations received grants under the programme, ranging from US$5,688 to US$68,000.
- The programme seeks to strengthen the capacity, resilience, and sustainability of civil society organizations to contribute to community development, social cohesion, accountability, and inclusive governance.
