The Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has conducted a two-day training workshop for representatives from seven civil society organizations and four media houses in South Sudan. The initiative aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of the Theory of Change, improve data collection skills, and identify key challenges affecting their work in the country.
NPA’s Program Manager, Riak James the training brought together 35 participants from various regions where NPA operates, including Wau, Torit, and Unity States.
“NPA and its civil society partners play vital roles in South Sudan. Whatever we do must create real impact. The Theory of Change helps outline how that impact is achieved by identifying the necessary inputs and activities that lead to meaningful results,” said James.
He emphasized the importance of collaborative thinking among NPA partners to ensure their advocacy work is strategic and results oriented.
Riak said training underscores NPA’s commitment to building the capacity of its partners to plan and implement programs that are impactful, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of South Sudanese communities.
“This workshop is not just an opportunity for the partners to know each other but also to develop joint approaches that can bring tangible change in the communities they serve,” he added.
Ms. Neni Dinea, a representative from the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIPJ), noted that the training would help her organization design community-driven activities that are more likely to generate lasting change.
“The Theory of Change approach helps us plan better and engage communities, especially women, in dialogue on issues that affect them—such as key legislation for victims of war,” she said.
“Right now, we’re conducting civic education on transitional justice, focusing on the formation of the Commission for Truth and Healing, which is a major component of the transitional justice framework. We want survivors of sexual violence to understand their rights under these bills,” Dinea added.
Doreen Kacham, who works with Women Aid Vision, a national NGO focused on empowering women and youth, also praised the training.
“We learned a lot about how to apply the Theory of Change and how to measure the impact of our work. Without this understanding, it’s hard to know whether our efforts are improving people’s lives,” she said.
The Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has been active in South Sudan since 1986 providing humanitarian support, rural development, civil society strengthening, and nation-building initiatives, playing a key role in supporting South Sudan’s transition from conflict to peace and development.