Building community resilience from the ground up in South Sudan

When South Sudan gained independence in 2011, it was a moment of hope and new beginnings. However, the road ahead was fraught with challenges.

The country ranks as one of the least developed globally, with many of its people living in extreme poverty and facing food insecurity. Decades of conflict, marginalization, and climate shocks had left the country with minimal infrastructure and a heavy reliance on humanitarian aid. Basic services like electricity, healthcare, water, sanitation, and education are scarce, and local institutions have struggled to meet growing demand.

But amid these adversities, there lies a story of resilience and community strength.

The ECRP: A Beacon of Hope

Enter the South Sudan Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Governance Project (ECRP). This $45 million initiative, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Government of South Sudan from 2020-2024, aimed to turn the tide.

The goal was simple yet profound: improve access to basic infrastructure and strengthen community institutions in selected counties.

The ECRP was rolled out in twenty of South Sudan’s seventy-nine counties. It focused on two main areas: “Quick Win” counties, where previously planned projects were implemented, and “New” counties, selected based on their vulnerability. The project had four key components:

1. Community Infrastructure and Services: This component funded the construction and rehabilitation of essential public goods like water supply facilities, health and education centers, roads, and flood protection dikes. The aim was to ensure maximum community benefit through a participatory planning process.
2. Local Institution Strengthening: By mobilizing community institutions like Boma Development Committees and Payam Development Committees, the project enhanced local governance. Payams and bomas are the lowest administrative divisions in South Sudan, below counties. These committees played a crucial role in planning, monitoring, and maintaining the infrastructure projects.
3. Project Management and Learning: This component ensured effective project management, monitoring, and learning. It included financial management, procurement, risk management, and data collection on beneficiary impacts.
4. Contingency Emergency Response: Although not activated, this component was designed to allow rapid reallocation of funds in case of a crisis.

Tangible Results, Real Impact

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, localized conflicts, and recurrent flooding, the ECRP achieved remarkable results. The project completed 345 sub-projects, building schools, health facilities, water points, roads, markets, and community centers. These infrastructures provided nearly 740,000 people, over 375,000 of whom were women and girls, with improved access to essential services, and 99% of them remain functional and in-use as of 2024.

In response to severe floods which impacted lives and livelihoods of populations in the target areas, the project constructed emergency dikes which protected more than 60,000 people.

The project also generated nearly 600,000 workdays, providing short-term employment to thousands of skilled and unskilled workers, including a significant number of women. This not only boosted the local economy but also empowered communities.

In addition to providing basic infrastructure and services, one of the most significant achievements of the ECRP was the reactivation and establishment of community-level government institutions. Over 450 Boma Development Committees and Payam Development Committees were formed, engaging in community planning and monitoring. These committees ensured that the projects met the community's needs and that they will continue to be maintained properly.

The project also made strides in gender inclusion, with women representing a substantial portion of the committees and holding leadership positions. This was a significant step towards empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated society.

Despite its successes, the project also made evident the limitations of third-party implementation and the need to strengthen government institutions for providing infrastructure and delivering and maintaining public services.

Looking Ahead

The ECRP has paved the way for its successor, the Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Governance Project Phase II (ECRP-II). This five-year, $150 million project aims to build on the achievements of its predecessor, with a stronger focus on flood resilience, disaster risk management, and institutional capacity building at all levels of government.

The ECRP is a testament to the power of community-driven development and local governance. By empowering local institutions and investing in essential infrastructure, the project has not only improved the quality of life for many South Sudanese but also laid the groundwork for more sustainable development. Looking to the future, the lessons learned from the ECRP will continue to guide the World Bank's efforts in supporting more resilient and sustainable communities in South Sudan.

This story was prepared by Lukas Loeschner (Senior Urban Specialist, World Bank), Droma Bank Dominic Kat (Urban Specialist, World Bank), and Liam Brown (Consultant, World Bank).