Germany, European Union €23.5 Million funding for Rural Development in S. Sudan
The initiative aims to enhance climate-resilient agricultural practices and strengthen rural economies.
By Emmanuel Mandella
With eyes trained on South Sudan’s rural development, Germany and the European Union have announced a €23.5 million co-funding package to expand the Community Driven Rural Development (CDRD) project to Western Bahr El Ghazal, alongside further investments in Eastern and Western Equatoria.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation, aims to enhance climate-resilient agricultural practices and strengthen rural economies.
The expanded CDRD project is part of a broader EU effort titled “Promoting a Green & Resilient Economy in South Sudan,” targeting enhanced food security and sustainability. The initiative, which currently supports communities in Magwi and Yei within Eastern and Central Equatoria, will now extend its reach to impact an additional 18,500 households in Western Bahr El Ghazal. This expansion is poised to foster higher agricultural yields and build local resilience to climate change.
Highlighting the importance of this development, Vittoria Longato, Programme Officer for Food Security and Rural Development at the EU Delegation in South Sudan, said, “The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to improving food security and sustainable rural development. This new action will support South Sudanese communities to cultivate their potential and secure long-term growth.”
In preparation for the project’s extension, GIZ convened a high-level dialogue in Juba, where representatives from various government bodies and community leaders discussed the strategic framework and implementation plan. Attendees included County Commissioners, County Executive Directors from local ministries, and influential leaders from Wau and Jur River counties, illustrating the project’s broad-based support.
Hon. James Ernest Makuei, Commissioner of Jur River County, underscored the value of early community engagement, stating, “This initiative brings us together as partners, enabling us to incorporate local voices from the outset. It is a testament to true cooperation and shared progress.”
Since its inception in 2022, the CDRD project has been a cornerstone of sustainable rural development under the leadership of GIZ, operating on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with prior contributions from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The upcoming multi-donor action signals the EU’s strategic commitment to fostering a resilient South Sudanese economy.
Germany’s comprehensive support of South Sudan spans humanitarian aid and development in various sectors, including gender equality, sustainable agri-food systems, local governance, and conflict resolution. Similarly, the EU, with its foundation in promoting democracy, human dignity, and economic progress, continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing South Sudan’s path toward stability and growth.
The expanded CDRD project is set to commence in December 2024, marking a new chapter for the rural communities of Western Bahr El Ghazal as they move toward a future of greater food security and economic opportunity.
“This initiative brings us together as partners, enabling us to incorporate local voices from the outset. It is a testament to true cooperation and shared progress,” Hon. James Ernest Makuei, Commissioner of Jur River County.
