Although the spread of COVID-19 in South Sudan offers the opportunity for much-needed solidarity in the face of a new threat, it also risks engendering and exacerbating existing divides, contributing to the continuation of conflict, while at the same time undermining confidence in the peace process and recently formed government. The purpose of this project is to capitalize on the positive opportunities provided by the virus to promote peaceful co-existence, social cohesion and combat stigmatization, engendering the cooperation needed to limit and respond effectively to the spread of the disease. It will do so by training women and youth-led community-based organizations (CBOs) on mediation, conflict resolution and negotiation, as well as support them in encouraging messages of solidarity and in combating hate speech. The project will also create media platforms for CBOs and the communities that they represent to interface with relevant government bodies regarding the COVID-19 response, including the National Task Force and the Ministry of Health. Accordingly, it will have a strong focus on strategic communication and will support research and innovative practice that explores how communication technology can best be leveraged to improve participatory approaches to peacebuilding.