Mercy Corps, IPCS Award Grants to 32 South Sudan Civil Society Organizations

By: Ginaba Lino

Mercy Corps and the Institute for Promotion of Civil Society (IPCS) have awarded third-party grants to 32 South Sudanese Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the Supporting Civil Society Empowerment in South Sudan (SUCCESS) Programme.

The European Union-funded initiative aims to strengthen locally led development, organizational capacity and community participation across South Sudan. The four-year programme is implemented by Mercy Corps in partnership with IPCS.

The beneficiaries were selected through a competitive proposal process that included training, coaching, mentorship and organizational assessments.

Under the awards, Civil Society Organizations and Community-Based Organizations received US$5,688, national organizations received US$45,500, while networks and coalitions were awarded US$68,000.

Speaking at the ceremony, IPCS Head of Programmes Kubako John Joseph described the awards as an important milestone in empowering local organizations.

Joseph said the successful applicants distinguished themselves through innovative ideas, community connections and experience addressing local challenges.

“When we launched this call for proposal, our goal was very clear: to find visionary partners who understand local challenges and possess the grassroots network to drive real, lasting change,” Joseph said.

He stressed that community challenges require collaboration rather than isolated interventions.

Joseph said the funding should be viewed as an investment in leadership, organizational expertise and communities, rather than simply financial assistance.

He urged beneficiaries to demonstrate transparency, local leadership and commitment to measurable results, while assuring them of continued technical and capacity-building support from IPCS and Mercy Corps.

Mercy Corps SUCCESS Programme Manager Lydia Milla said the awards mark the next stage of a programme that began in January 2025.

Milla said the initiative had taken participants through a challenging learning process involving organizational training and institutional development.

“This is a milestone from the rains, the rough roads. At least we should be happy that we are here today,” she said.

She explained that the programme seeks to strengthen the capacity, resilience and sustainability of civil society organizations so they can contribute to community development, social cohesion, accountability and inclusive governance.

Milla said 40 organizations participated in the wider capacity-strengthening process, with 32 now advancing to the third-party grant phase.

She highlighted improvements in organizational policies, financial management, auditing and monitoring systems among participating organizations.

She encouraged recipients to use the opportunity to demonstrate how locally rooted organizations can produce meaningful results for communities.

Mercy Corps Country Director Darius Radcliffe said the ceremony represented more than the signing of grant agreements.

“It is a recognition of the commitment and the vital role that local organizations play in driving sustainable change within their communities,” Radcliffe said.

He said lasting development depends on local actors having the capacity, resources and confidence to lead solutions to problems affecting their communities.

Radcliffe described the grants as investments in local leadership and stronger institutions capable of responding to community needs.

He congratulated the recipients for completing the demanding capacity-building process and thanked partners and stakeholders who contributed to the initiative.

Representing the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), Mach Benjamin urged beneficiaries to manage the funds responsibly and transparently.

Benjamin emphasized that grants must be used strictly for their intended purposes, alongside proper financial management, documentation, and accountability.

“This award is both an opportunity and a responsibility,” Benjamin said.

He also called on organizations to meaningfully involve women, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups in decision-making.

Benjamin encouraged the recipients to coordinate with government institutions, local authorities, traditional leaders, development partners and communities.

He further urged them to consider sustainability from the beginning of implementation so that structures, relationships and solutions created through the projects can continue beyond the grant period.

The SUCCESS Programme partners say the implementation phase will focus on translating the strengthened organizational systems into community-level interventions while promoting local ownership, accountability and measurable results.

Mercy Corps and IPCS are expected to continue providing technical support as the 32 organizations implement their respective projects.