A youth-led answer to South Sudan's defining challenges.
Youth Action for Climate Resilience and Rural Development (YACRRD) is a South Sudanese, youth-led, non-profit humanitarian and development organization founded in 2026. We were established to address the interconnected crises of climate change, food insecurity, youth unemployment, Gender disparity, public health challenges, humanitarian research and data gap and conflict in rural South Sudan. YACRRD empowers young women and men as primary agents of change through climate-smart agriculture, green enterprise development, advocacy, research, civic engagement and peacebuilding. We operate at the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Before seeking external funding, we invested heavily in institutional systems: a legally registered constitution, board-approved safeguarding, PSEA, financial, and security policies, and a robust M&E framework. YACRRD is not a start-up in capacity; it is a shovel-ready local partner aligned with the Grand Bargain localization agenda, South Sudan’s NDCs, and the SDGs. This profile outlines our mandate, operational model, and readiness for partnership.
A prosperous, climate-resilient South Sudan where empowered youth lead sustainable rural development.
To mobilize, equip, and support young South Sudanese as agents of change, implementing community-led solutions for climate adaptation, food security, sustainable livelihoods, and peace.
What guides us
- • Integrity: We are honest, transparent, and accountable to communities, partners, and donors. Every resource is a sacred trust, managed with zero tolerance for fraud or diversion.
- • Stewardship: We care for the natural environment and all assets entrusted to us, prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term gain.
- • Inclusivity and Non-Discrimination: We deliberately reach young women, displaced persons, people with disabilities, and the most marginalized. Our programming is needs-based and impartial.
- • Do No Harm and Conflict Sensitivity: We continuously analyze the context to ensure our actions do not exacerbate tensions or inadvertently cause harm, and we proactively design for peace.
- • We Are Committed to the poor: Our deliberate and unwavering focus is on serving the most economically disadvantaged, marginalized, and vulnerable populations in societies, prioritizing communities and individuals who face extreme poverty, limited access to basic services, and heightened exposure to risks.
- • Innovation and Learning: We combine indigenous knowledge with appropriate technology, constantly adapt based on evidence, and share knowledge openly.
- • Youth Leadership and Participation: We are not just working for youth; we are led by them and held accountable by them. Young people shape our decisions.
Where we focus
- 01Strengthen climate resilience and disaster risk reduction across vulnerable communities.
- 02Promote sustainable agriculture, food security, and nutrition.
- 03Empower youth and women through skills, livelihoods, and economic opportunities.
- 04Advance peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community stabilization.
- 05Improve access to education, health, WASH, and protection services.
- 06Build institutional capacity and evidence-based programming.
South Sudan faces a protracted and complex polycrisis that threatens the survival and dignity of millions, particularly rural youth, women and children. Climate Vulnerability and Disasters: South Sudan is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Severe floods (e.g., the unprecedented 2022 flooding displaced over 1 million people) alternate with prolonged droughts, destroying harvests, washing away roads, and disrupting basic services. Unpredictable rainfall patterns have slashed agricultural productivity. Acute Food Insecurity: Over 7 million people which is nearly 60% of the population face crisis-level food insecurity (IPC Phase 3+), with pockets of catastrophic (Phase 5) conditions. Rural smallholders, who constitute the backbone of the nation, see yields plummet, deepening poverty and malnutrition. Youth Marginalization and Unemployment: Over 70% of South Sudan’s youth are unemployed or underemployed, with few viable pathways in rural areas. This fuels forced migration to urban slums, recruitment into armed groups, and dangerous irregular migration. Young women face compounded barriers due to harmful gender norms, early marriage, and lack of access to productive assets. Environmental Degradation and Resource Conflict: Widespread deforestation for charcoal, unsustainable farming practices, and poor water management degrade the natural resource base. Competition over shrinking fertile land and water points intensifies inter-communal violence, including deadly cattle raiding cycles, which fragment social cohesion. Exclusion from Decision-Making: Despite constituting the demographic majority, youth especially young women are systematically unrepresented from climate adaptation plans, county development strategies, and peace processes. Their priorities and innovations remain unheard.
Youth Action for Climate Resilience and Rural Development (YACRRD) currently operates across six states in South Sudan, strategically targeting some of the country’s most climate-vulnerable, food-insecure, and underserved rural communities. Our geographical presence reflects our commitment to reaching populations where humanitarian needs are greatest and resilience-building interventions can create lasting impact. In Central Equatoria State, YACRRD implements programs in Yei River, Juba, Kajo-Keji, and Terekeka counties, focusing on youth empowerment, climate resilience, livelihoods, and community development initiatives. In Eastern Equatoria State, our work extends to Torit, Kapoeta East, and Magwi. Within Jonglei State, YACRRD operates in Bor South, Pibor, and Akobo counties, delivering interventions aimed at strengthening local resilience, promoting peacebuilding, and improving humanitarian access in hard-to-reach areas. In Upper Nile State, our presence in Malakal and Maban enables us to respond to the needs of conflict-affected and displaced populations through community-centered humanitarian and development programming. Our operations in Unity State cover Mayom and Rubkona counties, areas significantly impacted by recurrent flooding, food insecurity, and economic vulnerability. In Western Bahr el Ghazal State, YACRRD works in Wau and Raja, supporting rural communities through climate adaptation, livelihoods support, and youth-focused development initiatives. Through this multi-state presence, YACRRD continues to build strong community partnerships and locally driven solutions that promote resilience, sustainability, and inclusive development. As part of our strategic expansion plan for 2026–2029, the organization aims to progressively extend its operations to additional counties and the remaining states across South Sudan, ensuring broader nationwide coverage and deeper impact for vulnerable populations. Guided by the principle of “local presence, nationwide impact,” YACRRD remains committed to empowering communities, advancing climate resilience, and fostering sustainable development throughout South Sudan. Through integrated programming in climate resilience, agriculture, livelihoods, education, peacebuilding, protection and community development, the organization is in the most convenient position to support the most vulnerable populations in building resilience, achieve self-reliance, and contribute to peaceful and sustainable development through community-centered and youth-driven approaches, YACRRD works in rural, peri-urban, and humanitarian settings to strengthen climate resilience, promote sustainable livelihoods, protect vulnerable populations, advance peace and social cohesion, empower women and youth, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development across South Sudan.