This report presents four illustrative case studies showcasing effective development interventions and distilled best practices relevant to the Wani Igga Foundation’s programming in South Sudan.
1. GRACE Project: Green and Resilient Agriculture and Climate Economy
The GRACE Project is a €36.4 million initiative launched in June 2025 to bolster climate-resilient agriculture across Lakes, Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria, and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states. It targets 22,770 smallholder farmers and 141,823 beneficiaries, organized into 360 producer groups and 23 cooperatives.
Key Components
- Demonstration Farms: Establishment of payam-level model farms to showcase sustainable cultivation techniques.
- Community-Based Delivery: Farmer cooperatives co-design interventions with local authorities, fostering ownership.
- Multi-Sector Partnership: Collaboration with GIZ, SNV, FAO, WFP, and local government ensures technical, logistical, and policy support.
Best Practices
- Local Ownership: Empowering producer groups and cooperatives from planning through implementation enhances sustainability and uptake.
- Integrated Value Chains: Linking production support (seeds, training) with market access and processing facilities drives income growth.
- Long-Term Horizon: A four-year timeframe allows measurable resilience gains versus short-term projects.
2. UNDP SEED4Youth: Vocational Training and Entrepreneurship
The SEED4Youth Programme—funded by the Netherlands and implemented by UNDP and South Sudan’s Ministry of Labour—has equipped over 23,900 youth (55% women) with vocational skills, creating nearly 5,000 jobs through graduate-led enterprises.
Key Components
- Diverse Trade Curricula: Training in 22 trades, from solar installation and masonry to beekeeping and fish processing.
- Inclusive Delivery: Community- and institution-based models, with special outreach to youth with disabilities.
- Entrepreneurial Support: Graduates receive start-up kits, career counseling, and finance linkages.
Best Practices
- Gender Inclusivity: Prioritizing women in recruitment and tailored support fosters equitable economic participation.
- Holistic Support: Combining technical training with business coaching, seed capital, and market linkages ensures enterprise viability.
- Scalable Model: Graduated cohorts in multiple states demonstrate replicability across diverse contexts.
3. UNICEF Education Initiatives: School Rehabilitation and Teacher Support
UNICEF’s education portfolio under the GPE-TESS programme has delivered a US $41.7 million grant (2019–2024) to construct or rehabilitate 850 classrooms and train over 370 Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, enhancing community governance of schools.
Key Components
- Infrastructure Investment: Building classrooms with safe water, sanitation, and durable materials.
- PTA Capacity Building: Training in resource mobilization, financial management, and school development planning.
- Pedagogical Coaching: Roll-out of structured pedagogy, lesson planning, and ongoing teacher mentoring.
Best Practices
- Community Engagement: Empowering PTAs to lead local resource mobilization and maintenance secures long-term facility care.
- Structured Pedagogy: Coordinated curricula, teaching materials, and mentor support drive literacy and numeracy gains.
- Multi-Stakeholder Funding: Leveraging GPE, EU, AfDB, and bilateral donors amplifies resource availability and alignment.
4. WHO Health Systems Recovery: Strengthening Post-Conflict Health Services
WHO’s Health Sector Stabilization and Recovery Plan (HSSRP) (2020–2022) provided joint support to South Sudan’s Ministry of Health to restore primary healthcare after protracted conflict, addressing only 44% functional facility coverage and 68% service availability.
Key Components
- Three-Level Support: Country office, regional office, and headquarters coordination for investment planning and implementation.
- Catalytic Funding: Focus on rapid-disbursement instruments to rebuild governance, procurement, and performance monitoring.
- Humanitarian-Development Nexus: Integration of emergency response with long-term health system strengthening.
Best Practices
- Bridging Silos: Aligning humanitarian and development financing prevents duplication and fosters predictable service delivery.
- Capacity Building: Early investment in procurement and health information systems lays foundation for sustained recovery.
- Resilience Focus: Embedding preparedness and adaptability into facility rehabilitation increases durability against future shocks.
Synthesis of Best Practices Across Case Studies
- Local Ownership & Community Engagement: Ensuring beneficiaries co-lead design and governance fosters sustainability.
- Integrated Service Delivery: Linking technical interventions with market, policy, or governance support maximizes impact.
- Inclusive Approaches: Prioritizing women, youth, and vulnerable groups promotes equity and broadens benefits.
- Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: Coordinating government, multilateral agencies, NGOs, and private sector amplifies resources and expertise.
- Long-Term Horizons: Multi-year programs allow for resilience building, institutional strengthening, and systemic change.
- Bridging Humanitarian and Development: Harmonizing emergency relief with development frameworks ensures continuity and sustainability.
These insights will inform the Wani Igga Foundation’s design and implementation of its flagship and pillar-aligned programs, ensuring they reflect proven models for sustainable impact in South Sudan.