Service provider (National NGOs/CSOs/Firm) to deliver market linked and climate smart, agriculture value chain and vocational skills training, and livelihood interventions for refugees, returnees, …

Summary

Overview 1. Project Background and Rationale. Over the past decade, Malakal, and its surroundings experienced multiple conflicts, resulting in displacements and protracted displacement situations. As per the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Framework on Durable Solutions for IDPs, durable solutions are achieved when displacement affected individuals no longer have specific assistance and protection needs linked to their displacement and people can enjoy their human rights without facing discrimination due to their displacement. Given the multiple and reoccurring displacements in the Malakal area, durable solutions for displaced populations need to be complemented with support for receiving communities, who themselves are often still recovering from the vulnerabilities associated with displacements they have experienced. Supporting the displacement affected communities, both displaced and hosting populations further reduces potential status-based tensions between populations and supports peaceful co-existence. Within the context of South Sudan, particularly in the Upper Nile State, durable solutions need to be firmly rooted in peacebuilding processes, as peace and the reduction of displacement-related needs are intertwined. This project will aim to support peacebuilding process by addressing some of the root causes and drivers of conflict, reducing vulnerabilities associated with displacement, and investing in an enabling environment for durable solutions in the Upper Nile State. 2. Project Description 2.1 Project Development Objective . The Project Development Objective is to support an enabling environment for durable solutions for displacement-affected populations in and around Malakal, including new arrivals from Sudan, and communities hosting internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Malakal Town and Fashoda (Kodok). The specific project objectives are: i) Provide community with improved income and revenue generation through skills development and employment in line with market demand ii) Reinforce community-level organization and capacities on access to savings and credit, financial literacy and investment opportunities, with particular focus on women and youth at risk of engagement in violence or in illicit economic activities iii) Provide communities with increased access to basic services, infrastructure, housing, safe water facilities and HLP support in the areas of return. 2.2 Project Component The Towards Durable Solutions Project is jointly implemented with IOM and DRC in close collaboration with national and state-level institutions. Targeting 20,000 direct beneficiaries, the project focuses on skills development, livelihood creation, and improving access to housing, basic infrastructure, and essential services. It also strengthens local governance systems and foster inclusive community structures that promote local ownership and accountability in the recovery process. It will enhance social cohesion by empowering communities to prevent and resolve conflicts peacefully. The project will place gender equality at the centre of its recovery strategy by ensuring that women make up 50 percent of all participants. This reflects a strong commitment to inclusive peacebuilding and the recognition that sustainable development must include women’s full and equal participation. UNDP will implement outcome two on social-economic inclusion and empowerment which focuses on the following components: Skills development: Training youth (50% women) on market- linked and climate smart, agricultural value chain and vocational skills training based on standardized vocational training program and national qualification framework; MSE and VSLA Development: Strengthening community-level organization and capacities on access to savings and credit, financial literacy and investment opportunities, with particular focus on women and youth at risk of engagement in violence or in illicit economic activities; Housing and community Infrastructure: Support construction of dwelling houses and community infrastructure for displacement affected populations. Application Deadline: 6 April 2026