[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1134, 238], "category": "Page-header", "text": "in particular on **peace, security, governance and resilience**. The action will further be aligned with the priorities of the **Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment in External Relations 2020–2025 (GAP III)**."}, {"bbox": [85, 259, 340, 289], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2 Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [97, 306, 316, 332], "category": "Text", "text": "Short problem analysis:"}, {"bbox": [97, 332, 1134, 464], "category": "Text", "text": "In South Sudan, mainly **subnational conflicts and violence** are preventing sustainable development. In fragile, crisis and risk-prone situations, like South Sudan, local authorities as public institutions closest to the population have a key role to play to safeguard vulnerable populations and communities by steering the set-up of **local resilience strategies**. Therefore, counties and payams at the **subnational state level** could play an important part in **early warning** and **de-escalation of the first stages of violence**."}, {"bbox": [97, 490, 1134, 594], "category": "Text", "text": "However, the role of local authorities is frequently undermined by negative political factors, such as high levels of corruption, maladministration, dysfunctional administrations, clientelism, and informal economy. It is therefore fundamental to simultaneously **empower civil society** on institutional transparency, accountability, access to resources and basic services."}, {"bbox": [97, 623, 1134, 730], "category": "Text", "text": "At governance level, progress has been made in the nomination of state governors and the establishment of a more legitimate assembly. Whilst **multiple EU support actions** for **reform processes at national level** are already in place (**top down approach**), there is a need for **more focus at subnational state and community level**. Therefore this action will have a **conflict sensitive** and integrated **focus at subnational level (bottom up approach)**."}, {"bbox": [97, 758, 1134, 836], "category": "Text", "text": "Identification of main stakeholders and corresponding institutional and/or organisational issues (mandates, potential roles, and capacities) to be covered by the action: The main stakeholders of the action are authorities at subnational level (state, communities), local communities, civil society, youth and women."}, {"bbox": [97, 863, 262, 889], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### A) Rights holders"}, {"bbox": [97, 916, 1134, 969], "category": "Text", "text": "**Representatives of the South Sudanese society at subnational level** have a crucial role in the ongoing and upcoming reforms and processes which provide for direct and indirect participation of right holders, including:"}, {"bbox": [134, 969, 1134, 1022], "category": "List-item", "text": "- **Youth:** South Sudan's young population needs to be empowered in the political, economic and rights-based approach agenda."}, {"bbox": [134, 1022, 1134, 1074], "category": "List-item", "text": "- **Women:** The considerable gender disparities need to be addressed. Girls and women in vulnerable situations need to be protected."}, {"bbox": [134, 1074, 1134, 1128], "category": "List-item", "text": "- **Civil society:** civic space needs to widen, in particular in the context of the permanent constitution making process, but also on Human Rights and public accountability."}, {"bbox": [134, 1128, 1134, 1206], "category": "List-item", "text": "- **Marginalised communities** and people that are living in the most vulnerable situations (such as displaced people, persons with disabilities, people living in remote, natural and man-made disaster and conflict-affected areas) need to be included."}, {"bbox": [97, 1234, 252, 1260], "category": "Section-header", "text": "### B) Duty bearers:"}, {"bbox": [97, 1287, 1134, 1363], "category": "Text", "text": "**The Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA), the Council of States of South Sudan** (and any succeeding parliamentary body) and subnational authorities."}, {"bbox": [97, 1392, 1134, 1473], "category": "Text", "text": "**The Local Government Board (LGB) of the Republic of South Sudan**, which is mandated through the Local Government Act 2009 as an oversight and guiding institution for Local Governments as well as providing capacity building to local administrations."}, {"bbox": [97, 1499, 1134, 1579], "category": "Text", "text": "**National accountability institutions:** the independent commissions and institutions provided for in the transitional constitution of South Sudan, e.g. Human Rights Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, are weak (insufficient human and financial capacities)."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1143, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 20"}]