Supporting conflict-affected communities
In May 2025, GOAL South Sudan announced the rollout of the four-year Transforming Household Resilience through Inclusive Economic Development (THRIVE) Project funded by UK Government.
The THRIVE project supports individuals and households from conflict-affected and climate-vulnerable communities in all counties. These populations have endured prolonged insecurity, displacement, and recurrent climate shocks such as floods and droughts.
These factors have eroded livelihoods, disrupted access to basic services, and weakened coping mechanisms. The project seeks to restore livelihoods, strengthen community resilience, and promote peacebuilding through inclusive, context-appropriate interventions.
The THRIVE Project, is a consortium initiative led by GOAL, in partnership with Mercy Corps, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), VSF Suisse, and downstream partners.
THRIVE Project Pillars
Livelihood Improvement
Enhancing income and food security using market-led and gender-responsive strategies in value chains such as livestock, fisheries, and agroforestry.
Restoring Resilience
Promoting nutrient-smart agriculture, agroecological practices, and appropriate technologies.
Social Cohesion
Facilitating peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and social coherence among diverse groups.
Women’s & Youth Empowerment
Building the capacity of farmer groups, cooperatives, VSLAs, SACCOs, and local institutions to sustain impact beyond the project lifecycle.
Programme Design
The programme design integrates international strategies and understanding of local context. The programme applies the market-systems development strategy in combination with community-led solutions to determine sustainability and scaling up. THRIVE also incorporates climate change adaptation, social and behaviour change communication approach, and nutrition-sensitive actions for the full-blown impact.
Where We Work
THRIVE is being implemented in eight counties across the Greater Upper Nile Region (Upper Nile, Unity, and Jonglei States) in South Sudan, targeting approximately 120,000 households, who are experiencing high-food-insecurity.
The thematic and geographic focus aligns with the needs of displaced communities, pastoralists, fisherfolk, and agroforestry workers, offering targeted support to foster resilience, self-sufficiency, and long-term self-reliance.
Priority Vulnerable Groups
- Displaced Populations: Civilians displaced by the early 2025 violence in Panyikang, Ulang, and Nasir Counties are now facing homelessness, loss of livelihoods, heightened protection risks, and acute food insecurity.
- Women and Girls: Disproportionately affected by gender-based violence, economic exclusion, and limited participation in decision-making. Many lack access to financial services, education, and essential social support systems.
- Youth: Often unemployed or underemployed, youth are increasingly vulnerable to harmful coping mechanisms and recruitment into armed groups due to limited economic opportunities.
- Pastoralists, Agro-pastoralists, and Fisherfolk: These groups are experiencing disrupted production cycles, loss of livestock and equipment, and restricted market access due to ongoing insecurity and environmental stressors.
- Other Vulnerable Groups: Including elderly-headed households, persons with disabilities (PWDs), individuals with chronic illnesses, and returnees—many of whom rely on overstretched community support networks.
What the Experts Say
When speaking about the potential of the THRIVE Project in May 2025, Phyllis Jepkorir, Country Director, GOAL South Sudan said,
“GOAL works with the most vulnerable communities across the world, helping them respond to, overcome humanitarian crises, and build resilience in the most challenging environments. THRIVE aligns with GOAL’s Crisis to Resilience model. The project incorporates social behaviour change communication, climate adaptation, peacebuilding, social cohesion, and food security interventions.”
“Through interventions with displaced people, pastoralists, fisherfolk, and agroforestry workers, the project creates pathways to resilience and economic self-sufficiency. We thank UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for their support and shared vision of a resilient, empowered, and prosperous South Sudan.”
When speaking about the launch of the THRIVE programme in South Sudan in May 2025, Silvester Nyangan, THRIVE Project Director, said,
“THRIVE Project embodies GOAL’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. Through the work of THRIVE consortium and downstream partners, we are confident that we can support the South Sudanese communities not just recover but thrive.”
