In Sudan, the connection between conflict and natural resources degradation is undeniable. Decades of conflict-driven population displacement and resource exploitation, as well as weak institutional governance and underinvestment in sustainable development remain the country’s key drivers of forest and rangeland degradation.

Natural resource scarcity, in turn, fuels more conflict, and so the cycle of fragility, conflict and violence (FCV) in Sudan continues, and deepens the exclusion of already marginalized portions of the population, including women and youth.

Sudan’s efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) are helping to strengthen the country’s institutional governance, and engage a wider range of stakeholders in natural resource management. This work can help to lay the foundation for peacebuilding and development.

With support from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), the Sudan REDD+ Readiness project is supporting the design of a socially and environmentally-sound national REDD+ strategy. This work is putting in place frameworks for social and environmental safeguards that can improve the way the country’s new transitional government engages with stakeholders on forest management. To date, more than 150 consultations have been held across Sudan’s 18 states, helping to ensure active participation of local communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), national, state, and local-level government stakeholders, private sector, among others.

The REDD+ project’s partnership with CSO SAWA Sudan has helped to empower local communities, mediate conflicts, and promote accountable governance arrangements. The Sudan Round Tree initiative for low carbon emissions by SAWA Sudan has been instrumental in raising awareness and strengthening the capacity of local communities and relevant stakeholders in North and South Kordofan, improving the effective participation of those living in and around forests in the REDD+ process. Extensive awareness-raising campaigns through village clusters has had a significant impact in creating a spirit of togetherness and bringing together often marginalized groups such as women and youth.

Renewing the social contract in Sudan has been recognized as one of the priorities and focus areas outlined by the World Bank’s proposed Country Engagement Note (FY21-22) to create the conditions for political stability, economic prosperity, and greater social cohesion. With natural resource governance identified as the critical entry point for this process, there is a tremendous opportunity to scale up the avenues for local participation and collective action created through Sudan’s REDD+ readiness process.