South Sudan Localization Lab - SSLL

The South Sudan Localization Lab extends warm wishes to all on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.

May this celebration be filled with joy, peace, and abundant blessings for you and your families.

The South Sudan Localization Lab is an initiative designed to strengthen the role of local actors—especially South Sudanese civil society organizations (CSOs), community groups, and national NGOs—in humanitarian and development response.

The South Sudan Localization Lab is important because it shifts power, builds national capacity, strengthens accountability, and promotes sustainable locally-led development in South Sudan.

South Sudan Localization Lab Boosts Education in Gorom and Rokon Refugee Camps

The South Sudan Localization Lab, with support from the NEAR Network through the Bridge to Resilience Project, has strengthened education in Gorom and Rokon refugee camps by improving teaching quality, school leadership, and learning conditions.

In Gorom Refugee Camp, secondary school teachers and PTA members were trained to enhance classroom practice and school governance. Scholastic materials were distributed to secondary and host-community primary schools, and solar panels were installed at Gorom Secondary School to provide reliable electricity for learning and administration.

In Rokon Refugee Camp, primary school teachers and PTA members received similar training, while learning materials were distributed to schools serving IDPs and host communities, promoting inclusive access to education.

These efforts have improved teaching capacity, strengthened community participation, and expanded access to quality education for refugee and host-community learners.

South Sudan Localization Lab Strengthens FSL / Livelihoods activities in Rokon and Gorom Refugee Camp.

South Sudan Localization Lab, with funding from NEAR under the Bridge to Resilience Project, has successfully strengthened Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) activities in Rokon and Gorom Refugee Camp.

The project supported six women’s groups (three in each location), reaching 60 women with training in business skills, financial management, savings, and entrepreneurship. Each group received start-up kits valued at SSP 2.9 million to launch or expand income-generating activities.

These interventions have boosted women’s economic participation, household income, and community resilience, promoting sustainable livelihoods and long-term empowerment. South Sudan Localization Lab continues to support community-led, women-focused initiatives that build resilience, dignity, and economic independence.

South Sudan Localization Lab Strengthens WASH activities in Rokon and Gorom Refugee Camp.

South Sudan Localization Lab in which Amalna South Sudan is a member successfully drilled boreholes under the Bridge to Resilience Project funded by NEAR at Gorom and Rokon Refugee Camp significantly improving access to safe drinking water and promoting better hygiene practices among refugees.

As part of the project, one borehole was drilled at Gorom and two boreholes drilled at Rokon and are now fully operational, providing reliable and clean water to the camp community. The intervention has eased the long distances residents previously traveled in search of water and reduced the risks associated with unsafe water sources.

To ensure sustainability, we trained Twenty seven (27) Water User Committees on proper management and protection of the borehole. In addition, two (2) groups of hand pump mechanics received specialized training and a toolkit to carry out minor repairs and routine maintenance, enabling the community to address technical issues locally.

The project also emphasized hygiene promotion. Trained hygiene promoters conducted door-to-door outreach, sharing key messages on handwashing, safe water handling, and general cleanliness to help prevent waterborne diseases and improve public health.

Overall, the initiative has contributed to improved health and hygiene conditions while strengthening community ownership and responsibility over vital water resources. South Sudan Localization Lab expressed appreciation to the Gorom and Rokon Refugee Camp community for their cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting dignity, health, and hope for vulnerable populations.

On 8th January 2026, SSLL members met at Savannah Hotel, Juba for a strategic workshop focused on reflection, planning, and strengthening the Lab’s foundation.

SSLL is a network of 12 national NGOs working under the NEAR Network to promote local leadership, control, and sustainable development in South Sudan.

Key Achievements from the Workshop; Reviewed past SSLL activities and challenges, Developed a draft SSLL Constitution and Bye-laws, Agreed on a clear organizational structure (General Assembly & Secretariat), Set membership standards and fees and Created a 2026 Strategic Plan with clear priorities and activities

2026 Priority Pillars; Solutions, Movement & Controls, Building Bridges and Learning

The Challenges Noted were; Limited time for discussions, Need for better understanding of NEAR & SSLL, Phone distractions during sessions, and Low female participation

Way Forward: Improve member participation and time management, Promote gender balance, Share more learning materials on NEAR & localization and Collect regular feedback from members.

Warm Christmas greetings to everyone!
As we celebrate the birth of hope and love, South Sudan Localization Lab wishes you peace, joy, and togetherness this festive season. May Christmas strengthen our commitment to locally led solutions, solidarity, and building resilient communities across South Sudan.

Thank you to our partners, collaborators, and communities for walking this journey with us. May the New Year bring renewed hope, shared progress, and lasting impact.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The South Sudan Localization Lab (SSLL) is part of the Network of Empowered Aid Response (NEAR)—a global movement of local and national civil society organizations from the Global South. NEAR was founded on the margins of the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey, with a shared commitment to transform the traditional top-down humanitarian aid system into one that is locally led, community-owned, and grounded in solidarity, equity, and trust.

Today, NEAR operates as a movement across 40 countries, bringing together over 300 Global South NGOs and CSOs, supported by 21 network partners. In alignment with NEAR’s Strategic Plan 2024–2026, the South Sudan Localization Lab was established in 2023 and officially launched on 18 July 2024 to pilot, operationalize, and document localization practices that reflect local realities and priorities in South Sudan.

Vision

A locally led, community-centred humanitarian aid system that effectively responds to the needs and challenges faced by communities.

Mission

To reimagine humanitarian action by generating innovative ideas, sharing knowledge, influencing systemic change, and advocating for equitable, dignified, and accountable partnerships, while strengthening leadership and decision-making power of affected populations and local actors at national and sub-national levels.

Core Values

SSLL is guided by the following principles:

1. Community-centred approaches

2. Equity in humanitarian action

3. Transparency and accountability

4. Humanitarian principles

5. Inclusivity and gender responsiveness

6. Participatory decision-making

NEAR Localization Labs

The Localization Labs are a core component of NEAR’s Strategic Plan 2024–2026 and were initiated in 2023 to strengthen locally driven humanitarian leadership. The Labs operate around four key pillars:

1. Building and amplifying local voices

2. Building bridges and partnerships

3. Developing practical solutions

4. Learning and knowledge exchange

South Sudan Localization Lab Membership

The South Sudan Localization Lab brings together 12 national organizations, including:
Nile Sustainable Development Organization, Child’s Destiny and Development Organization (CHIDDO), Community Aid for Relief and Development (CARD), Nile Hope (NL), Amalna South Sudan, Centre for Emergency and Development Support (CEDS), Active Youth Agency (AYA), People’s Initiative Development Organization (PIDO), Africa Development Agency (ADA), Yo’Care South Sudan, THESO, and Assistance Mission for Africa (AMA).

Governance and Structure

SSLL is hosted by Amalna South Sudan and is based in Juba. The Lab is led by a Convener, supported by three Co-Conveners, who collectively coordinate activities, facilitate engagement with humanitarian actors, advance the localization agenda, and document lessons learned. All SSLL members are also members of the NEAR network.

Focus Areas

The South Sudan Localization Lab works across the following thematic areas:

1. Advocacy and lobbying

2. Donor engagement

3. Research and learning

4. Capacity building

5. Humanitarian response

6. Awareness raising