A community-led approach to sustainable cross-border solutions between South Sudan and Uganda

The Lives in. Dignity Grant Facility-funded COMPASS project (July 2022 - January 2025) was a community-led cross-border peacebuilding initiative between Uganda and South Sudan that addressed chronic conflicts affecting displacement-affected communities. Implemented by The Lutheran World Federation and Community Development Support Services, the project established cross-border dialogue involving diverse stakeholders including community representatives, officials, and agencies, with a particular focus on meaningful inclusion of women and youth. The initiative successfully supported over 40,000 displacement-affected people through a comprehensive approach that included training border authorities and community leaders in protection and human rights, facilitating cross-border agreements ratified by local governments, promoting drought-resistant agricultural practices, and providing psychosocial support to vulnerable populations. Key to its success was the establishment of a Local Project Advisory Committee (LPAC) that ensured strong local ownership and stakeholder coordination, demonstrating that locally-driven cross-border agreements can effectively unite communities, foster trade, and build sustainable peace in complex displacement settings.