SPEDP

SPEDP at the Africa Climate Summit 2025.

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; We are proud to announce that SPEDP, led by our Executive Director, Mike Soro, will be participating in the Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia.

In partnership with the African Centre for a Green Economy, our delegation will host a side event under the theme:
“Community-Driven Pathways to Just Transitions and Green Jobs in Africa.”

This session will highlight how grassroots action and community innovation can drive inclusive green economies that create sustainable livelihoods. At the same time, we will amplify our on-ground project work, which is helping communities build resilience against the impacts of climate change while improving their economic opportunities.

Under the SPEDP–RSRTF II Project, we are proud to announce the graduation of 19 tailoring trainees at the Morobo Women’s Centre after successfully completing six months of intensive training.

This milestone is more than just a graduation, it’s an investment in skills, self‑reliance, and economic resilience for women in fragile and post‑conflict communities. Through the project, these women have not only mastered tailoring techniques but have also gained the confidence to start their own businesses, support their families, and contribute to local economic recovery.

This achievement is part of our ongoing commitment to livelihood restoration, resilience building and empowering those affected by fragility and forced displacement.

At SPEDP, our commitment to serving communities goes beyond paved roads and easy access. Whether it’s through muddy tracks, flooded trails or rugged terrain, our teams are ready to reach the most inaccessible, remote areas simply because every life and every community matters.

These photos are a reminder of our dedication: pushing through challenges, overcoming obstacles and ensuring that humanitarian aid, development programs and essential services reach where they are needed most.

Together, we are building hope and resilience across South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, working hand‑in‑hand with communities living in fragility and facing forced displacement.

; Last week in Mundri East County, members of the SPEDP Board met with the Lui Hospital Board to explore opportunities for closer collaboration in advancing community health.

The meeting provided a platform to align on shared goals, discuss challenges, and identify areas for joint action to improve access to quality, inclusive healthcare for all, in line with SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being.

At SPEDP, we believe that strong partnerships are essential for building resilient health systems and sustainable community development. We appreciate the commitment of the Lui Hospital Board and look forward to working together to deliver on our shared mission of supporting peace, education and development across the region.

; Under the Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities in Torit project funded by Bread for the World, SPEDP conducted a Climate Risk Study Validation Workshop in Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State.

The event drew key stakeholders from government institutions, farmer groups, women and youth representatives and community leaders, ensuring local ownership and relevance.

Through active participation and discussion, stakeholders validated findings and shaped a locally grounded Climate Risk Management Plan to guide resilience building in the agriculture sector.

At SPEDP, we believe in working with communities, not just for them. Our on-ground presence ensures interventions are context-specific, practical and directly benefit vulnerable communities as primary stakeholders. This is how we translate research into action, empowering communities to build climate resilience and strengthen livelihoods.

: We are proud to share a research paper on insecurity and psychological distress in South Sudan, conducted in collaboration with Oxfam, Lehigh University and our dedicated field team, has just been published in social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology.

Congratulations to the entire research team for this important contribution to understanding the intersection between water insecurity and mental health in conflict-affected settings.

As SPEDP, we remain committed to evidence-based programming that places community voices at the center of development and peace building in South Sudan and beyond.

Link; https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-025-02934-z

We are proud to unveil the new and improved SPEDP website, built to better showcase our development programmes, impact and partnerships.

Whether you're a community leader, donor, partner, or simply interested in sustainable development, our updated site makes it easier to:

✅ Explore our projects and initiatives
✅ Learn about our impact and goals
✅ Stay informed with news and updates
✅ Connect with us and get involved

This upgrade isn’t just about design, it’s about deepening our mission and reaching more people with the work we do.

Visit us now using this link; https://spedp.org/

; We are proud to announce the official launch of Phase II of the Youth Enterprise Development and Capacity Building (YEDCB) project yesterday. This impactful initiative targets young women and men aged 18–35 in Central Equatoria State, aiming to strengthen their employability and drive inclusive job creation.

Through entrepreneurial skills training, private sector development and efforts to improve the local business environment, the YEDCB project equips youth with the tools to build resilient livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

This milestone is made possible with generous funding from the African Development Bank Group and strategic support from the UNDP.

Together, we are shaping a future where South Sudanese youth are empowered, entrepreneurial and economically engaged.