Community Security Project

Cross Border Trade and Stability

Early Warning Posts

Enhancing Peace and Community Stability (EPACS)

Enhancing People to People Indigenous Capacities (EPPIC)

Local Government Recovery Program (LGRP)

Roads for Youth and Peace

Water for Recovery and Peace Program (WRAPP)


South Sudan Transition Initiative

June 2003 - March 2006

Please note this is a closed archived program.

Throughout its history, Sudan has suffered from inter-communal fighting. Civil war between the Arab north and the largely Christian and animist south defined the last few decades of Sudan's history. This conflict and the consequences forced on civilians on both sides of the battle lines spurred fighting among southern communities. 

Public opinion in Southern Sudan has become gradually more optimistic since the signing of the Peace Protocols in May 2004. At the same time, ambiguities in the protocols generated concern regarding the intent and ability of each side to deliver on high expectations. From a programming perspective, the signing of the protocols initiated a shift in priorities. While access to information has always been a central element of the program, there is now pressure to disseminate information even more quickly. In order to meet the demand of Sudanese NGOs and communities, Pact quickly rolled out a peace protocol dissemination strategy through local partners.

Pact's approach

This two-year USAID-funded small grants program focused on promoting and supporting good governance, local-level peace initiatives, and the development of civil society. The program supported the transition from a culture of war to one of peace and good governance.
The primary objectives of the program were:

  • To restore peace among communities through support for local dialogue
  • To support the emergence of an accountable and transparent civil authority
  • To assist in the development of an empowered and active civil society
  • To increase access to quality, independent information

The program focused on building constituencies for peace through the following activities:

  • Sponsoring inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic dialogue between and within communities to mitigate conflict and strengthen sustainable peace
  • Working through local NGOs/CBOs to strengthen their abilities to serve civil society needs
  • Strengthening good governance models and structures at the community level to support the provision and management of public good and services
  • Increasing access to information for civil society members and organizations.