Established in 2003, the Upper Nile Youth Development Association (UNYDA) is a national non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering young people, women, and vulnerable communities, aiming to foster sustainable improvements in their quality of life. Registered with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) under registration number 313, UNYDA operates within Upper Nile State, South Sudan. The organization actively engages in a diverse range of developmental projects, positively impacting tens of thousands of South Sudanese. These efforts notably reach individuals in conflict-affected areas, including Protection of Civilians (POC) sites, and host communities across counties such as Malakal, Baliet, Fashoda, Renk, Akoka, Panyikang, Melut, and Renk.

Since our establishment in 2003, we have achieved significant milestones in key thematic areas. In food security and livelihoods, we have implemented innovative agricultural programs, enhancing food security and empowering local communities with sustainable strategies for self-reliance. In education, our focus has been on improving access to quality education, particularly for internally displaced and host community children and youth, with a special emphasis on girls and adolescent girls. Our engagement in peacebuilding initiatives involves fostering dialogue and reconciliation through community-driven projects, building trust among diverse groups. In the domain of gender justice, we passionately advocate for gender equality and justice through impactful awareness campaigns and policy advocacy. Concurrently, our implemented programs aim to economically and socially empower women, championing inclusivity. In the realm of Natural Resources Management, our initiatives encompass not only launching projects for sustainable environmental conservation but also include awareness raising and the enhancement of local communities’ participation in the management of natural resource revenues, particularly in oil-producing communities. These achievements highlight our commitment to holistic and sustainable development, bringing positive transformations to the communities we serve.

UNYDA has collaborated with various partners and stakeholders in Upper Nile State, encompassing state government entities, international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and pertinent offices aligned with developmental endeavors. Leveraging these partnerships and a community-driven methodology, UNYDA has played a pivotal role in bolstering support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities within Upper Nile State.