National Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) Capacity Building Strategy for South Sudan (2025–2030)

Overview & Synopsis

South Sudan is implementing a comprehensive reform agenda to establish a robust Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) system aligned with international standards, addressing critical gaps in legal frameworks, institutional coordination, and technical capacity. This strategy outlines a phased approach across four pillars: strengthening the legal and regulatory framework, enhancing institutional coordination through mechanisms such as a national ESRM coordination body, advancing human capacity through competency frameworks, training, and professional accreditation, and promoting a culture of risk management through tools, systems, and digital infrastructure. It emphasizes sustainable capacity building beyond standalone training by institutionalizing skills and governance structures. The approach aligns with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework and other international standards, while responding to findings from recent assessments highlighting fragmented mandates and weak enforcement capacity. By adopting a phased implementation—from high-risk sectors in the short term to broader cross-sectoral coverage—the strategy aims to strengthen both immediate project delivery and long-term national ESRM systems.