The South Sudan Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience Trust Fund (South Sudan RSRTF) was established in 2018 to provide strategic financing to integrated programmes that together lessen the destructive drivers of conflict and create more stable conditions to realize development and resilience objectives. Through its area-based programmes (ABP), RSRTF brings together a diverse coalition of partners, including UNMISS, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, local/ national partners, and grassroot level stakeholders, to implement integrated programming built around three pillars: Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience.

In September 2025, the RSRTF published the inaugural issue of its quarterly newsletter, ‘Voices from the field’, showcasing highlighted achievements from the fund activities in the first half of the year. Key results span ABPs in Southern Central Equatoria, Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), Greater Tonj (Kong Koc), and Southern Unity.

Communities witnessed meaningful transformation across the core pillars of the RSRTF. Reconciliation efforts have shifted from elite events to community-driven processes, moving away from cycles of abduction and revenge toward trauma healing and recovery. Stabilization initiatives have strengthened local governance and restored trust in justice systems through mobile courts, legal training, and the adaptation of legal frameworks to local contexts. Meanwhile, Resilience programming has supported communities in navigating ongoing challenges by promoting diversified livelihoods, empowering youth and women, and enhancing disaster risk mitigation capacity.

As RSRTF prepares for two endline evaluations and the formal handover of infrastructure, the first half of 2025 stands as a testament to what’s possible when communities lead the way. From trauma healing to economic empowerment, these stories featured in the newsletter reflect powerful and steady transformation—one rooted in trust, justice, and hope.

Access the newsletter here.