To strengthen conflict prevention capacity and economic development from sustainable social change

Title of the action: Strengthened traditional and church leader's capacity in conflict prevention negotiation skills

management resolution and Sustainable Peace for Social transformation and Economic Development.

Objective To empowered traditional leaders and church leaders with relevant skills in conflict negation skills and

peace building to better address tribal conflict and reconciliation.

Goal To reduce the rate of prevailing tribal conflict among Dinka, Nuer and other ethnic groups for unity and

peaceful society.

Location(s) of the

action:

Gogrial East, West and Twic County of Warrap State, South Sudan.

Name of the applicant Episcopal Church of South Sudan-Christian Action for Relief and Development (ECSS-CARD)

Contact person Rev. Rt. Bishop Moses Deng Bol

Email bishop@wau.anglican.org

Phone No Tel: +254716641233 Kenya, +211955602769 South Sudan

Physical Address Episcopal Church of the South Sudan-Christian Action for Relief and Development (ECSS-CARD) Hai

Mozephin, Opposite Wau Teaching Hospital C/O ECS Provincial Office P.O. Box 110 Juba South Sudan.

Preliminary project proposal development.

Following 15th December 2013 political conflict in Juba between the presidential guards and soldiers loyal to the former Vice

President Dr Riek Machar Teny has now metamorphosed into tribal conflict between Dinka and Nuer resulting in thousands of

lost lives and half of million people becoming Internally Displaced Persons. It was in this line Rt.Rev. Bishop Moses Deng and his

Diocesan staff had a trip in March 2014 to IDPs camps and met with different leaders from Nuer communities ,Dinka

communities and church leaders in Twich, Gogrial West county and Gogrial East County in Warrap State. Bishop Moses preached

about peace and reconciliation among the different ethnic groups in Warrap State since it was his duty and responsibility. After

this many different ethnic group leaders and church leaders came to the Bishop and expressed their immediate concern for

training for peace building, confliction prevention and reconciliation among different communities.

Following that visit Bishop Moses authorized a project manager with others to carry out a needs assessment among the IDPs and

indigenous communities in the target areas to find out more information, analysis, reflection and refinement with stakeholders

and target groups. This important information enabled ECSS-CARD to record and analyse the needs identified which have been

translated into the activities of this project.

The need assessment indicated that the need for peace training is an urgent matter.

Different communities are unable to live at peace with each other because of the fear of being attacked by other tribes. Past

political affiliations combine with this overriding fear to foster poor relationships and weak interaction among the target groups

that only further deteriorate their relationships. The needs assessment indicated that the target populations lack any coping

mechanisms such as conflict prevention, problem solving mechanisms or peace building and reconciliation to ensure that lives are

kept safe.

Project Summary and Program

The 8 months project with a total budget of 98,320 USD beginning 15th June 2014, seeks to reduce the prevailing tribal conflict

and improve peace building among Dinka and Nuer Communities in Warrap State. The main target groups of the proposed

intervention are Dinka communities, Nuer communities, IDPs and other ethnic groups who are psychological traumatized and

physically affected by the recent tribal conflict.

This project seeks to bring together 450 leaders from different communities, leaders from different counties and Payams. This

includes traditional leaders, youth leaders, women’s group representatives, local government authorities leaders, IDPs camp

leaders, cattle camp leaders, civil society organization and religious leaders from Twic, Gogrial East, and west County of Warrap

state to participate in a peace training workshop.

The aim of the project is to train leaders on the following subjects, peace building, violence & its manifestation, components of

peace, conflict management, human rights, good governance and principles of democracy peace and Justice. Provide training on

Communication skills- active listening, miscommunication 1 &2 way communication; on problem solving, negation, mediation,

forgiveness and reconciliation. Training will also be given on culture difference, language, different beliefs, discrimination,

nepotism and Increased awareness on the role of local authorities to make decisions in conflict and justice issues in local

communities. Finally training on citizenship, it rights, it roles and responsibilities in peace building.

The training will challenge leaders to take up their responsibilities and apply the skills and knowledge they had gained from the

training to become productive leaders by being peace makers, peace keepers, peace mediators, and promoters of reconciliation.

The project will seek to revitalize and activate community leaders and church leaders with roles which have been overlooked and

robbed by the government. In spite of their key roles in ensuring peace building and conflict prevention at community level, the

space for participation of community leaders in peace building and reconciliation around conflict prevention and peace building

have been limited. Additionally the project seeks to regenerate church roles in peace building and conflict resolution since the

Church has been viewed as a beacon of hope for the desperate, a place where unwanted people feel a sense of belonging, where

forgiveness is the cornerstone to healing relationships between individuals and communities. Church seeks the common good

through transformation of the soul of a community and goes as far as seeking to overcome hostility by the practice of

unconditional love toward others. This approach results in sustainable community peace development and social harmonization.

By involving a community to participate in the peace process enhances a feeling of ownership for the process and allows them to

take up responsibility in peace building, conflict resolution and enact positive action and total commitment to end tribal violence.

Methodology

The methodology will be from top downward approach. It’s believed that this tactical approach will enhance sustainable peace

building and social harmonization among the target groups. The target groups will be selected from different communities who

will be become members of peace building, and reconciliation committees in their respective localities that will train their

communities.

Thanks to Christian mission, in the target areas it is estimated that more than 98% of the target population are Christian and

Bishop Moses Deng by the virtue of being chairperson of the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation for South

Sudan and in particular for Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap State coupled with his experience in the past, expects that the

church will rise up to play a critical and highly visible role in peace building. The church takes most seriously its social

responsibilities to addressing past abuses, the root causes of conflict, healing traumas from mass violence, rebuilding broken

relationships as well as institutions to sustain reconciliation gains in order to create a culture of tolerance and respect of persons

holding different political ideologies and of other ethnic groups for the sanctity of life. The project will be continually monitored,

evaluated and controlled by the implementing partner in consultation with participating donors and project beneficiaries.

Project Justification

We knew it was a wave of violence that can trace its roots to the decades of war, not only the direct war with the North, but also

the way the war was pursued between South Sudan and Sudan. The enemies of South Sudan used “divide and rule” tactics,

setting tribe against tribe, brother against brother. The conflict has gained momentum in the people of South Sudan, as such it

became part and parcel of life. in spite of this increase little has been done to analyze the negative impact of inter tribe and inter

tribal conflict and pastoralist conflicts but both are documented as one of the great factors in South Sudan, particularly in Warrap

and Unity states. Nuer and Dinka, the two largest groups share many things in common, both are cattle keepers, and affiliated

with different parties and neighbors, marriage dowries are paid in the form of animals ranging from 50 to 200 head of cattle.

Historically their relationship has been very bad, they used to raid one another’s livestock herds, this cattle raiding has gained

momentum and routine disputes cause tension between the two communities. The recent conflict that broke out on 15th

December 2013 is rooted in the past. The previous conflict combines to the different political affiliations on the basis of tribal

lines make it easy for the conflict to be accelerated, turned to into tribal conflict and spread across country.

The results of this conflict are displacement and loss of many lives. According to the European Commission/Humanitarian Aid and

Civil Protection (ECHO) Factsheet – 12 April 2014 - South Sudan, the conflict has uprooted over one million people from their

homes, including over 800 000 internally displaced people (IDPs). Around 68 000 of these are sheltered in UN compounds

(UNMISS) in the country. Further hundreds of thousands are assessed to be affected in areas currently inaccessible to

humanitarian organizations. Despite the agreement on the cessation of hostilities signed on 23 January 2014, reports of violence

continue.1

Ethnically orientated conflict is intensifying across the country people have killed one another, properties, animals have been

looted, houses have been burned to ashes while some people were innocently detained on suspicion of having played a part in

either side of the warring factions. Others have been forcefully conscripted into army forces as soldiers, other have been tortured

to the point of death, both women and girls have been raped, sexually abused in the present of their children and society.

Due to these characteristics of most areas in South Sudan; the people are all victims of armed conflicts in the forms of political

intervention, inter-tribal clashes or ethnic groups. The people are therefore distressed and traumatised by these indecent and

horrifying experiences; exposing them to the fragmentation of their kinship ties, inter-community relation or inter- clan unity. It

has also exposed them to the oppression of the lesser-beings by powerful communities, exploitation of the vulnerable classes,

stigmatisation and segregation of the lower castes and the threatening of those who stand up for their rights.

Some people have fled to neighbouring states as IDPs or to areas for refuge while others following horrific attacks in their areas

have left South Sudan in dismay either with their parents or as orphans and sought asylum outside South Sudan, resettling in the

neighbouring countries where they could find ease of life and the right to live.

The top factors among this social unrest are political, economic, cultural, social and tribal conflicts cause by many other factors

which are innumerable in nature. In Warrap state (in which this project will be implemented) the target groups are Nuer and 1 European Commission/Humanitarian aid and civil protection and ECHO Factsheet – 12 April 2014 - South Sudan

Dinka communities. The tension among the target groups has not been different as the state experienced an upsurge of violence

taking the shape of cross state conflict involving the Nuer ethnic group; who are the traditional rivals to the Dinka ethnic group

that occupies the Eastern bank of the Nile River. The most vulnerable people, especially women, children and the elderly have

borne the brunt of these conflicts with devastating effects on their lives and their social place in the community.

Despite the prevalent nature of conflict, there have been no steps taken to resolve the myriad of conflicts going on in these areas.

The local authorities and the police have often shown a lack of capacity and little knowledge on their role in conflict management.

This combined with their political affiliations worsen any situation and the administration of justice leaves the communities with

little option but to use violence to find redress to their grievances. People feel isolated from the local authorities as there is hardly

any consultation of the people on matters of justice, security, conflict and development planning. There are no avenues for

accessing information or communication between the people and the local authorities where they can address their needs or

issues to the local authorities. Meanwhile the local authorities lack tools for assessing their needs and views especially when

making plans for resource allocation or making security plans.

The people therefore, retain little faith in the authorities to cater for their needs or resolve disputes and therefore take matters

into their own hands resorting to violence as a means of finding redress to their grievances. The local authorities, communities

leaders, church leaders all lack capacity and awareness about the legal framework for accountable, participatory and effective

governance mechanisms including their roles in achieving the rule of law, equality of all persons before the law, equitable

distribution of resources in order to prevent future conflict over scarce resources. This project will target the community’s

leaders in these three counties, Gogrial East, Twic and Gogrial West County in order to strengthen local capacity for peaceful

dispute resolution through peace building activities, peace training in conflict negation skills. It wall also seek to reinforce and

enhance the roles of local authorities in preventing, mitigating, settling and managing latent and violent conflicts in Warrap state.

Priority Needs

The conflict has embodied numerous things based on the needs assessment carried out on March 2014 by ECSS-CARD through

community leaders consultation indicated that the present conflict has increased, there is a lack of emergency shelters,

widespread unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and the health situation has deteriorated while social economic hunger has

increased. Now there are half a million people at risk of food insecurity as a result of conflict which had cut them off from their

homes, fields, herds, and important trade corridors which have been disrupted. However according to interviewees 75% said IDPs

are somehow being supported by World Food Programme and the World Health Organization. Unfortunately the pressing need

at this juncture in the target areas is peace building and conflict prevention training but it has been not considered by the

international organizations because they are overwhelmed by the humanitarian relief aid and non-food needs.

The need assessment showed that nowhere has the need for peace building been more pressing than in Warrap State, where

conflicts between Nuer and Dinka have been particularly devastating. The CARD initiatives for peace building is indispensable, it

will provide an important umbrella to the work of local churches and chiefs, an overall structure to peace initiatives, a channel for

outside support and a symbol of opposition to local fragmentation. It is believed that meeting this need will address grievances

and result into a peace covenant among the target ethnic groups and pledges for the cessation of all hostilities while leading to

additional commitments to return abductees, share grazing land and provide amnesty for prior offences.

CARD being experienced in the target area notice that the survival and prosperity of the target communities is dependent to a

large extent on access to grazing areas for cattle. Agreements regarding cattle grazing are essential, and the ability to strike deals

allowing movements of Dinka and Nuer herders into each other’s areas along traditional migratory patterns is fundamental to

economic activity in two states. Many conflicts between Nuer and Dinka communities occur after unsanctioned cattle raids or

illegal access to water points, the current conflict can trace its roots to the past. According to one interviewee, “Dinka and Nuer

are fighting tribes and cattle raiding is a right and part of their culture. However, in the past, these conflicts were resolved

peacefully by the intervention of chiefs or elders and intentional killings were uncommon. These days, political affiliation, values

and norms have been lost and there is no longer respect for traditional authorities or church leaders, values have been reduced

to military ranking. What is important in these societies these days is whether you are a good fighter, whether you have a high

rank in the army, or whether you have killed a lot. Therefore Peace now is the unrelenting need at the moment which this project

seeks to address among the target groups.

Proposal Methodology

1.1. Training local leaders on peace and conflict mitigation.

The project will train the following leaders: youth leaders, churches, women leaders, traditional leaders, IDPs camp leaders,

civil society organization representatives, cattle camp leaders, payam administrators and other key opinion leaders. The

target groups will be drawn from three target counties in respective payams and the training venue will be identified based

on accessibility and affordability in each county.

The training will strengthened target groups to help them resolve them their issues since they will be equipped with the right

skills to conceptualize the nature of conflict which are available in the area, it can also help them to address and overcome

political divides, mending and transforming relationships; healing the physical and psychological wounds from the war;

confronting and addressing historical and structural injustices, particularly conflict root causes, including ethno-politics, inter-

ethnic, religious, social, and regional exclusion, corruption and impunity.

1.2. Conducting refreshment courses.

The project will conduct refreshment training courses before the project comes to an end, this training is aimed to empower

leaders giving capacity so that they become effective in their field addressing community issues amicably. The training also

will encompass sharing practical field experience, the best practice, report the challenges and achievements in the period of

three months. The training will also identify the missing gaps, practical skills, and knowledge applicable among the target

group to carry out their roles and duties commendably. The target group will be peace building and reconciliation committee

members from different locations who play a role on the ground.

1.3. T-shirt Distribution.

As way to spread the peace message among the target groups the project will design a T-shirt with a message of peace one

for each participant which will be distributed to the target members specifically the peace building and reconciliation

committee.

1.4. A Demand Driven Approach.

This is a primary component of the methodology of the project, meaning that activities have a strong bearing to the needs

and interest of the target groups and are responsive to their main priorities. CARD as implementing partner have a sound

understanding of the needs of the areas of operation.

1.5. Stakeholders Consultative Meetings.

ECSS-CARD will conduct consultation meetings in the three counties of Warrap state as an entry point to the project

implementation with all stakeholders to enhance their understanding of the project goals, objectives and activities. It is

intended that these meetings will mobilize stakeholders to support the project. The meeting will target 80 people per county

including local government authorities, youth, women leaders, church leaders, CBOs and traditional leaders brought to one

place for a half day to seek their blessing and approval of the project implementation.

1.6. An Effective Gender Approach.

The ECSS-CARD approach to gender is not just to incorporate women as a target group in the project and add numbers of

women to activities. Women are the main key to be sensitive on peace building and conflict prevention practices at the

household level. The implementing partner project staff derives its gender concept from the perspective of women as agents

of change. A gender strategy and approach is currently under development with ECSS-CARD and stakeholders; it is deemed

necessary that a strategy should also address their relative social positions and positively transform gender relations, thanks

to the participation of women involved in the camp NGOs programs. The women will be sensitized through training in peace

building and conflict prevention.

1.7. Networking and Linkage.

ECSS-CARD will make an effort to ensure that the target groups are networked, linked with state Government and other

development actors for peace building will be available on the ground for the purpose of sharing information.

1.8. Project Internal Synergy.

Given the challenging scope of this project and logistical complexity, the project synergy will enable us to work together with

other Diocesan Departmental development staff. This will not only add value for increased project success but allow other

Diocesan departments to participate by sharing limited resources such as project vehicles and motorbikes of other projects.

On a hiring basis it will maximise the benefits of implementation and make them cost effective.

1.9. Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee Monthly Meeting.

This will serve as part of the community’s participation in the project monitoring and evaluation. The implementation strategy

of the project aims to involve the communities in the management of the peace building, conflict prevention and

reconciliation committee to ensure the smooth transition of peace building and conflict prevention when handing over to the

State Government and community once the project ends. A Project peace building committee will be created under the

chairmanship of ECSS-CARD and representatives from the State Peace and Reconciliation Commission and communities from

the targeted payams. Invitation to participate in the Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee will also be extended to key

development actors. The committee shall meet at every month to view the progress of the project, share challenges and find

ways to move forward.

1.10. Sharing the Project Progress Report with Stakeholders.

It is planned that the Project Manager will discuss the progress reports with the state government on line and with Diocesan

senior staff at least once a month, this will keep stakeholders updated of the progress project activities. In addition the

Project Manager will be attending meetings with NGOs to clarify any issues that may arise and also to appraise the

stakeholders on any other issues related to the project. During implementation the project manager will arrange with

stakeholders to meet with target groups to interact with beneficiary to assess their view on the progress of the activities and

recommendations if there are any.

The Implementation Organization Capacity

ECSS-CARD staff have capacity and experience in managing projects among which are the Food Security Thematic Program (FSTP)

funded by the European Union, Implementing Communities to Gain Access to Clean Drinking Water, Safe Wells to Reduce

Waterborne Disease And Enable Children To Attend School funded by Anglican Relief Development Funds (ARDF) Micro Finance

project and peace building. Ever since the inception CARD has gained momentum and won trust in the local community, with the

Government, with partners and with international organizations respectively.

Below is profile of the implementing staff.

Rev. Peter Aguei Akook - Project Manager:

Rev Peter is South Sudanese, a graduate from Bishop Gwynne College, Juba faculty of Biblical studies. he has worked for 7 months

now managing food security projects funded by the European Union. He has increased food security and sustainable livelihoods

for poor and marginalized households in Western Bahr El Ghazal State, South Sudan. The consortium For Western Bahr el Ghazal

State includes the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Christian Action for Relief and Development, Dorcas Aid International,

Christian Agenda for Development, (CAD) Catholic University, faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science (both are

implementing ongoing projects which are due to end early in 2015) and Interchurch Organization for Development Co-operation

(ICCO) which is the lead agency for the consortium.

Clarice Achieng Owino Project finance officer:

Clarice is a Kenyan by nationality, a Graduate from the Kenya Institute of Management Nairobi-Kenya with a Diploma in Business

Management and Administration. She has specialized in financial management ever since then and has worked for ECSS-CARD for

2 ½ years. She has vast Experience in financial management and control of accounts, which she has been entrusted to manage.

Clarice manages for Wau Diocese the Cathedral budget, Consortium budget particularly ECSS-CARD and the Mother’s Union

budget. Before joining ECSS-CARD she did the same job successfully with many other international organizations which include

IRC among others.

Rev. Rt. Bishop Moses Deng Bol.

Bishop Moses is a degree holder in Divinity and Master Degree holder from the faculty of Development Studies specialized in

Peace Building and Conflict Transformation from St, Paul’s University in Limuru Kenya. Besides being a bishop he is chairperson

for the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation for South Sudan particularly for Western Bahr el Ghazal and

Warrap State. Bishop Moses has also has conducted peace training in the Military SPLA Divisions in the greater Bahr el Ghazal and

been involved in conflict resolution intervention in the target areas before. He is a member of the peace delegation who are

attending ongoing peace talk in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia between the South Sudan government and rebel opposition. Bishop Moses

is also Director of the board for Christian Action for Relief and Development. Under his management ECSS-CARD has progressively

developed experience in food security, water projects, education and emergency interventions. As a result ECSS-CARD is well

known to churches institutions, International donors/NGOs as well as the local community, government and other funding

sources.

Project Beneficiaries’ Description - A List of targeted groups and estimated number of beneficiaries

County Payam Local

Authority

leaders

Youth

leaders

Religious

leaders

Traditional

leaders

IDPs camp

leaders

Women

leaders

Cattle camp

leaders

Civil society

Organization

Leaders

Twic

County

Aweng 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Turalei 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Wunrok 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Ajak Kuac 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Akoc 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Panyok 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

12 24 18 24 12 24 24 12

Gogrial

East

County

Toch North 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Toch East 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Toch West 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Nyang 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Pathoum West 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Pathoum East 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

12 24 18 24 12 24 24 12

Gogrial

West

County

Alek South 1 3 2 3 1 3 3 1

Akon North 1 3 2 3 1 3 3 1

Kuac North 1 3 2 3 1 3 3 1

Kuac South 1 3 2 3 1 3 3 1

Riau 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Alek North 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Gogrial 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

Akon 2 4 3 4 2 4 4 2

12 24 18 24 12 24 24 12

36 72 54 72 36 72 72 36

Total 450

The current Strategy plan for conflict prevention and peace building in the target areas Wau Diocese

The proposed action falls under the strategy of the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation for South Sudan

particularly for Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap State in the Diocese of Wau. This is headed by Bishop Moses Deng and the

South Sudan Crisis Management Committee spearhead of Government, and the Sudanese Development and Relief Agency

Development (SUDRA - the development arm of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan) which centres on development.

All these institutions main emphasis is on Conflict prevention and peace building, they aim to empower a community, spiritually,

socially, peacefully, and economically.

In line with the above strategy plan there is a solid connection between the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) priorities,

mission and mandate which is to cherish its partnerships within the Anglican Communion, with ecumenical bodies and with

others who share a common vision for justice and peace among all people.

This is a strategy with a view to conflict prevention and peace building with full inclusion of stakeholders, the provincial, national

and diocesan strategic plan, the components of this strategy are presented in the paragraph below. The CARD strategy plan in

Wau Diocese also falls under the Episcopal Church of South Sudan-Christian Action for Relief and Development (ECSS-CARD) in

the Diocese of Wau. ECSS-CARD strategically underlines conflict prevention and peace building as a first priority among different

communities in fragile situations, aiming to achieve a timely and sustainable and stable peace. CARD strategically identified that

conflict among targeted populations is rooted in cattle raiders and tribal differences combined with the recent armed violence

which broke out in the capital Juba on 15 December 2013 and subsequently spread to several states in South Sudan.

This violence has left over 800 000 people internally displaced and more than 250 000 have sought refuge in neighboring states

within South Sudan and beyond. The dead and the wounded are estimated to be more than tens of thousands of people and 4.9

million people are in need of humanitarian assistance as reported by the European Commission, Humanitarian Aid and Civil

Protection in South Sudan/ ECHO Factsheet – 1 April 2014 - South Sudan. Other organizations such as OCHA, FAO, Global risk

data platform, IOM, UNHCR, WFP and partners report it is higher at an estimated 863,000 internally displaced. The largest groups

of displaced people are in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states but Warrap state is no exemption. Despite a cessation of hostilities

which was signed on 23 January, several locations have since reported active fighting, including Lakes and Unity states and

Warrap State in the Diocese of Wau.

Resulting Activities to Improve Community Harmonization and Peaceful Co-existence Among Different Ethnic Groups.

The soaring rate of violence in South Sudan among different tribes is an indicator that there is no effective governance and

responsibility at the community level. This project will improve the capacity of local authorities, traditional leaders, church

leaders women leaders and youth leader to be conflict sensitive and equipped with conflict negation skills to contribute to

national healing and reconciliation in discharging their mandate when they are aware of their roles and how to experience these

roles in the community.

1.1. Groundwork with local stakeholders

This will be done on selection criteria and methodology, which were jointly set during the inception phase. The project will

not jumpstart but prepare stakeholders and beneficiaries incrementally. Identification, selection and registration of

beneficiary leaders.

Targets:

Gogrial West County Quarter 1: 150 Leaders;

Gogrial Easter County Quarter 2:150 Leaders;

Twic County Quarter 3: 150 Leaders.

The identification and selection of target groups will not only be based on the mutually agreed and pre-set criteria, but should

also be aligned to their specific position in the community.2

1.2. Project startup

This includes resource mobilization, advertisement and recruitment of 1 Community Peace Facilitator.

1.3. Introduction at target locations.

This will determine community leaders mobilization and sensitization methods and explore/agree on consultation

mechanisms, decision-making processes, define beneficiary selection criteria and methodology in dialogue with local

stakeholders and payam authorities (See also under paragraph on target groups).

1.4. Formation of Peace Building and reconciliation Committee.

This is to be done as part of the long term strategy planned to achieve sustainable peace. The Peace Building and

Reconciliation Committee will be formed from 1 committee per payam and each committee leader per payam will constitute

another committee at the county level. The committee will consist of 15 - 20 members, this will consist of one leaders from

each Payam, church leaders traditional leaders, women leaders, youth leaders, and civil society. The committee will elect a

leader, committee leaders are contact persons for the Peace Trainer facilitator.

The committee will be guided in setting community by the Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee. Minimum conditions

such as leadership potential, pro-activeness, volunteer spirit, previous experience, enthusiasm and likability by the others will

be considered. It is important to have such criteria for selection because the nature of work is purely voluntary, but important

as it involves, organizing, coordinating and guiding the community, chairing peace building meetings, preventing conflict

escalation, reconciled factors groups, and other project-related information.

These committees meet once a month at payam level, twice a month at the county level for the purpose of sharing

experiences, challenges, and discussing the issues and problems facing the communities, discussing some of the external

2 European Commission, Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection in South Sudan/ ECHO Factsheet. OCHA, FAO, Global risk data platform, IOM, UNHCR, WFP.

1 April 2014.

problems facing the communities, deciding the kind of nation they want to see? How to solve some of the problems they

have identified, both internally and externally? The committee will plan to address the past abuses and root causes of conflict,

healing traumas from mass violence, rebuilding broken relationships as well as institutions to sustain reconciliation gains.

1.5. Designation and printing of T-shirt for participants.

The project will design 500 T-shirts with messages of peace and conflict prevention and distribute them to the target leaders

as way of promoting peace and unity and educating society the importance of peace. It will also serve as an appreciation

special to the peace building and reconciliation committee.

1.6. Conduct training on peace building.

The 5 day peace training will be conducted in three counties, Gogrial East, Gogrial West and Twic County respectively. 150

leaders from each county will be trained and the targets are youth leaders, churches, women leaders, traditional leaders, IDPs

camp leaders, civil society organization representatives, cattle camp leaders and payam administrators. The target groups will

be drawn from different payams of that county and IDPS camps in that county.

The 5 days peace training will cover the following topics: Peace building, violence & its manifestation, components of peace,

conflict management continuum, disadvantage and advantage of conflict, human rights, good governance and principles of

democracy, communication skills - active listening, miscommunication 1&2 way communication, problem solving, negotiation,

culture barriers, beliefs, discrimination, nepotism, mediation, forgiveness and reconciliation. It is believed that this training

will help the target group to know the inherent rights that each and every one has in the community, to know the right of

others and their own rights. Respect for other people’s rights and their own rights will lead to good governance and practice

of democratic principles. It will help them to gain effective communication skills and effective listening skills, understand

barriers to communication and listening skills. It will also help participants to be effective in conflict negotiation and

management, rebuilding broken relationships or renewal. Following violent conflict, addressing issues of trust, prejudice,

intolerance to this process, resulting in accepting commonalities and differences, and embracing and engaging with those

who are different to us with significant cultural and attitudinal change. Changes in how people relate to each other and their

attitudes towards each other will breakdown the culture of suspicion, fear, mistrust and violence, and opportunities will be

opened up in which people can hear and be heard.

Ethnic and cultural diversity should be seen as a gift from God, a blessing, to be part of the richness of human experience, and

a thing to be celebrated. In addition, establishing and strengthening an independent, inclusive platform and mechanism to

collectively address the root causes of conflicts in South Sudan, building bridges across the political and social divides, healing

and reconciling all South Sudanese. Particular care given for those with the most severe physical and psychological scars,

resolving all conflict-induced community conflicts, document and establish community narratives of the conflict and the

respective healing, forgiveness and reconciliation journeys.

1.7. Networking and linkage.

As part of the projects long term strategy plan for sustainability the project will link the target groups with peace

development actors such as the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation for South Sudan at the state level

and Crisis Management Committee and other NGOs implementing peace. The linking will empower committees to have

access and exposure to information and knowledge and dialogue.

1.8. Conducting Refreshment training.

The project will conduct 2 days of refreshment training once per county before the project comes to an end. This training

aims to empower leaders in capacity so that they become effective in their field addressing community issues amicably. The

training also will encompass sharing practical field experience, the best practices, report challenges and achievements. The

training will also identify any gaps in practical skills, and knowledge applicable among the target group that hindered them to

carry out their roles and duties correctly.

1.9. Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee meeting after every two months at the county.

This will serve as part of the community’s participation in the project monitoring and evaluation. The implementation strategy

of the project aims to involve the communities in the management of the peace building, conflict prevention and

reconciliation committee to ensure the smooth transition of peace building and conflict prevention when handing over to the

State Government and community once the project ends. A Project peace building committee will be created under the

chairmanship of ECSS-CARD at the county level and representatives from the county peace commission, reconciliation and

communities from the targeted county will be meet every two months at the county headquarters. Invitation to participate in

the Peace Build and Reconciliation Committee will also be extended to key development actors. The committee shall meet

every month to review the progress of the project and share challenges and find ways forward.

Previous activities in Warrap State

The proposed action is not a new initiative of the implementing partner in Warrap State. CARD has ample experience with

previous and ongoing projects in peace building and conflict mitigation. The current project also draws on lessons learned from

previous interventions of CARD particularly the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation for South Sudan at the

state level under the Bishops leadership as chairperson for two states including Warrap State. Other interventions also include

Communities Gaining Access to Clean Drinking Water (which focused on drilling three boreholes), Micro Finance project

supporting returnees with capital to start up business, school construction and construction of clinics and provision of health

facilities. CARD has won the confidence of church institutions, local community and the government through previous successful

actions in the target area.

Procedures for follow up and internal evaluation

At the start of the project, a Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee (PBRC) will be installed for which a clear mandate

needs to be developed; of which M&E will be a solid component. Members will be representatives from the government,

community leaders and implementing partners to ensure downward accountability. The implementing partner will report

regularly to the PRC at county level. The implementing partner has planned an internal mid-term review in October 2014.

Duration and indicative action plan for implementing the action 15th June 2014 to 15th Feb 2015.

Activities Semester 1 Semester 2

Inception Phase 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1.1.Signing of MOUs between ECSS-CARD and ERD

1.2. Project startup. Advertisement and recruitment of Community Peace

facilitators

1.3. Groundwork with local stakeholders on selection criteria and methodology

1.4. Introduction at target locations to the project

1.5. Formation of Peace Building and reconciliation Committee

1.6. Designation and printing of T-shirt for participants

Peace Building and Conflict negotiation skills training for Local Leaders

2.1. Conduct training on peace building Gogrial in West County

2.2. Conduct training on peace building Gogrial in East County

2.3. Conduct training on peace building Gogrial in Twic County

2.4. Conducting Refreshment training in three counties.

2.5. Networking and linkage

2.6. Sharing the project progress report with stakeholders

2.7. Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee month meeting

2.8. Follow up and internal evaluation

2.9. Narrative & Financial report to ARDF

Project sustainability

1. Institutional sustainability.

The project will follow a growth model. From the start the formation of the peace building and reconciliation committee

who will participate in the peace building and conflict mitigation process and link with county and at the payam level with

government officials and the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation for South Sudan at the state level

and the Crisis Management Committee. Such cooperation will not only enhance CBOs to build their capacities

(organisationally) but will put them in a better position to negotiate for new resources for peace building and conflict

mitigation. Besides that, it will also give the communities a comparative advantage in claiming their rights to basic services

while making institutions strong and continual peace stable in the target area after the project comes to an end.

2. Policy sustainability.

The presence and involvement of state structures, will ensure that successful practical experience will feed into improved

policies, on the one hand through consultative processes, community groups have avenues to raise concerns and

influence decisions and policy makers. On the other hand, the government being part and parcel of the Peace Building and

Reconciliation Committee will create room for the community to participate in decision making and raise issues or

practical ways to handle community problems as a team.

3. Social impact.

There will be positive results in fostering understanding and dialogue among Inter-ethnic communities. The presence of

the peace building and reconciliation committee will cement relationships between the two communities. There will be

increased access to peace and justice. On the other hand, the enhancement of gender parity in the role of being agents of

change (women having access to knowledge in peace building and conflict negation skills) will position women in a

contributing position to transform gender power relations, the gradual engagement and ultimate acceptance of changes

in knowledge and Power. This will positively impact on peace building and conflict mitigation in the community.

4. Improve access to rule of Law and respect for human rights.

The target group will improve access to the Rule of Law as well as understanding between different communities.

Promoting human rights and the rule of law is a proven way to help reduce conflict in this context.

5. Strengthening local capacities for peace building.

There will be concrete positive achievements, especially in the areas of institution building, political, cultural and inter-

ethnic dialogue—with a focus on ethnic and cultural differences, gender, as well as the principle of ‘do no harm’. CARD’s

strategy is of improved communication and interaction with local government officials, ethnic groups, indigenous councils,

IDPs leaders and traditional leaders—increasing understanding and social cohesion, which are critical elements in peace

building in communities that have suffered conflict and discrimination.

6. Increased Access by vulnerable communities to social services and legal aid.

The target groups will have increased access to information about their rights and about services to avoid marginalization

of vulnerable ethnic communities.

Results and Evaluation

1. Peace Building and Reconciliation committee.

The project is expected to be sustainable beyond the initial phase. As a phasing out or exit strategy the project has planned to

train Peace Building and Reconciliation Committees, this training is part of the agency’s plan towards ongoing sustainability.

Relevant technical skills will be imparted to the local resource people including, technical know-how, negotiating skills,

management of sustainable peace, training women leaders and youths will also provide longer term sustainability. Through

capacity building local communities will be expected to play a vital role in for example, conflict prevention and reconciliation

through the establishment of Peace Building and Reconciliation committees in each payam. These will play a major role.

2. Community Participatory approach.

An effective participatory approach will be applied with the community members, this will ensure demand driven activities that

will be supported and managed by local communities. In addition Peace Building and Reconciliation committees will ensure

effective management of the project and sustainability of the project once the project officially ends.

3. Meeting with the Local leaders/ target group leaders.

Local leaders will be involved in the project implementation through participation in forums where issues arise such as

identification and registration of participants is planned for the peace building and reconciliation process. The local leaders of the

South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commissions (SSRRC) staff, Payam Administrators, local chiefs and religious leaders will

also be included. Community meetings will also be held by the project staff where the community will take part in monitoring the

progress. Simple guidelines will be developed which staff will use in engaging with the community members. There will be

monthly, meetings with the communities so that they keep track of the activities and progress towards the realization of the

results.

Outcome 1: Training of 450 traditional leaders and church leaders in the three target county areas. There will be 150 per

project location that have skills and knowledge in peace building and conflict prevention and are sensitive about conflict.

Outcome 2: Training of 450 traditional leaders and church leaders in peace building, conflict prevention and reconciliation.

Outcome 3: 450 person both committees members, women groups, youths, community leaders, church leaders and

communities in each project locations that have skills and knowledge and can effectively apply conflict skills management

solutions, resulting in the reduction of tribal conflict.

Community, Organization, Donor, Churches and Government Contribution to this project.

Input in USD ERD ECSS-CARD State GOVT Warrap Community / churches Total

Input 98320

2Motorbikes (10,800) Technical skills assistance

worth (4,500)

Venue (15,000) 124,120 USD

Organization Financial Sustainability.

Financial sustainability constitutes a huge challenge. As a phasing out or exit strategy plan the organization will have the capacity

to ensure that appropriate measures surrounding financial areas are foreseen and taken under consideration to ensure financial

sustainability. These measures will include, proposal writing, project management and resource mobilization. Doing this will

enhance the organizations bargaining power and reducing the vulnerability to financial shocks.

Partners

ICCO (Inter Church Organisation for Development Cooperation)

This is the lead agency of the Consortium and budget holder, responsible for consortium coordination, programme management

and therefore accountable to the donor.

CARD

This is the Development wing of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Diocese of Wau that implements diocesan development

projects. CARD and partners work closely with duty bearers at local government levels (County, Payam, Boma) including line

ministry departments. CARD is a partner of the consortium for the FSTP project; Increased Food Security and Sustainable

Livelihoods for Poor and Marginalized Households in Western Bahr el Ghazal State ( in Wau Diocese), South Sudan.

The Catholic University of South Sudan, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

This is an ECSS-CARD partner that assists in two areas: 1) Information gathering with students trained in interviewing,

observation, rural community appraisal and assisting in the analysis of the information. 2) Community outreach: providing

reliable information to rural communities on improved crop production, based on experimental work and field trials undertaken

on the University Farm. The Faculty collaborates in an active role in both areas, recognising that it has resources in both areas –

human resources /students to assist in data gathering and dissemination and a small research farm that can generate information

on sound and improved agricultural practices.

DORCAS AID International

This is an ECSS-CARD partnership consortium for the FSTP project.

CAD

This is an effective local development consortium, ECSS-CARD partner in the area of food security.

SMOAF&I

The State Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Irrigation is a strategic counterpart of the consortium. Numerous consultations

with the Directorate General and Departments have now resulted in a mutual consensus on close collaboration, which includes

capacity building through workshops, joint field trips, assessments coupled with strategy development in food security and

marketing.

SMOWR&I

The State Ministry of Water Resource and Irrigation is an ECSS-CARD partner in the area of water resources.

SMOEST

This is the State Ministry of Education Science and Technology for Warrap State and also Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

Local Chiefs

As the institutions of customary law will play a key role in issues related to access to land, conflict management & resolution Local

Chiefs have an important role.

Being an interface with community

Partners will work with the community, women’s groups and other community-based organisations such as, youth, women,

religious organisations and other informal or formal grassroots organisations.

ACRONYMS

ARDF Anglican Relief Development Funds

CAD Christian Agenda for Development

CUofSS-FAES Catholic University of South Sudan Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

ECSS-CARD Episcopal Church of South Sudan-Christian Action for Relief and Development

ECSS Episcopal Church of South Sudan

ECHO European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office

EU European Union

ERD Episcopal Relief and Development

CARD Christian Action for Relief and Development

FSTP Food Security Thematic Programme

GOVT Government

HART Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust

ICCO Inter Church Organization for Development Co-operation

IDPs Internally Displaced Persons

IOM International Organization for Migration

MOU Memorandum of understanding

NGOs Nongovernmental Organizations

OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

(PBRC) Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee

Payam Administrative sub-division of county

SMOH State Ministry of Health

SMOEST State Ministry of Education Science and Technology

SMOAF&I State Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Irrigation

SSRRC South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission

SUDRA Sudanese Development and Relief Agency

UNHCR United Nations Commission for Refugee

USD United States Dollar

WFP World Food Program

Strengthening capacity in conflict prevention negotiation skills management resolution and Sustainable Peace for Social transformation and Economic Development in Warrap State, South Sudan.

Code Description/Human Resources Unit # of unit Rate in USD Cost in USD

1.Salaries (gross salaries including social security charges and other related costs local staff) 109501.1.1 Director 40% Per month 4 350 1400 1400

1.1.2 Project Manager 70% Per month 7 450 3150 3150

1.1.3 Community Peace Training Faciliator 100% Per month 8 500 4000 4000

1.1.4 Finance Officer 50% Per month 6 400 2400 2400

2.2.1 2. Operational and Administrative Cost/Subtotal Human Resources 119202.2.1 Fuel for 2 Motor Cycles 2 field staff Per month 8 300 2400 2400

2.2.3 Feeding and Accommodation for field staff 4 counties Per month 8 350 2800 2800

2.2.3 Maintenance for 2 Motor Cycles Per month 8 240 1920 1920

2.2.4 Office Consumble Per month 8 150 1200 1200

2.2.5 Bank charges Per month 8 150 1200 1200

2.2.6 Internet service Per month 8 200 1600 1600

2.2.7 Generator 1 Per month 8 100 800 800

3.3.1 3. Activities cost for the Result Action 754503.3.1 Groundwork with local stakeholders on selection criteria and methodology

3.3.2 Designation and printing of 500 T-shirt for participants. T-shrit 30 500 15000 15000

3.3.3 conducting Traditionaland Church leaders Training (5Days/3locations/ 3sess). 15 Days 50 450 22500 22500

3.3.4 150 person per location

3.3.5 Training materials needed in 3 locations for 150 person per location Traini material

450 pens, 450 writing material, 450 bag ,Markpens, flitchart 2700 1 2700 2700

3.3.6 Conducting Refreshment training for (2 days in 3 locations, 3 sess *2) 150 person 2 Days

per location 30 450 13500 13500

3.3.7 Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee meeting after every two months 20 Months 6 1000 6000 6000

committ members per county

3.3.8 Participants transportation to the venue county head quarter from and to 450*2*2 Transport 450 35 15750 15750

1 Subtotal direct eligible costs of the Action (1-2) 20870

2 Provision for contingency reserve (maximum 5% of 5, subtotal of direct eligible cost of the action) 4000

3 Total direct eligible costs of the Action 73450

4 Total eligible costs 98320

Strengthened traditional and church leader's capacity in conflict prevention negotiation skills management resolution and Sustainable Peace for Social transformation and Economic Development in Warrap State, South Sudan.

Intervention Logic

Objective To empowered traditional leaders and church leaders with relevance skills in conflict negation skills

and peace building to better address tribal conflict and reconciliation

Goal To reduce the rate of prevailing tribal conflict among Dinka communities and Nuer to have unity and peacefully

society in Warrap state, South Sudan

Outputs % of traditional local leaders trained on good governance, and principles of democracy and justic , conflict

peace building, reconciliation, communication skills, problem sloving will be conflict sensitive and

engage comunities to embrace peace

% of traditional leaders and church leaders trained on peace and conflict prevention will have skills in conflict

negotiation skills management be in better position to address communities issues amicable and promote

peace and unity

% of of youths and women leaders trained on citizenship's right, human rights, respect diversity cultures,

communication skills will participate in decision making, aware of their rights and respect for others

% the rate of tribal conflict will reduces as result of peace builiding and reconciliation committee present in

the areas and the rate of cattle raid will decreased due to camp leaders equipped with conflict skills and peace

building

% the prevailing rate of tramua and psychological unhealth among the community will decrease due to

peace building and reconciliation committee discharging their mandates.

Inputs Conduct 5 days workshop Training to traditional leaders and church leaders on peace building conflict

mitigation and reconciliation. good governance and principles of democracy, peace and justic. Roles and

responsibilites, forgiveness and decision in conflict and peace building and violent & its manifestation,

, componet of peace conflict management continuum, communication skills, attitudes, discrimination and

nepotism and tribalism in three counties

Conducting 2 Days Refreshment course. On practical field experience, best practices, challenges and

identifying missing gap in three counties, Gogrial East, West and Twic County.

Distribution of 500 T-shirt to the target groups

Formation of Peace Building and reconciliation Committees in each payam in three counties

Networking and linkage the peace building and reconciliation committee with local authority

and other development peace actors

Human Resource/Activitie

Human 5% staff related cost to the action from total overhead

Resources

Activities 1.1. The signing of MOUs between CARD and ERD

1.2. Groundwork with local stakeholders on selection criteria and methodology

Gogrial East, West and Twic county

1.3. traprt participants to venue Peace Building and reconciliation Committee 1 per payam:20 payam, 1 per county: 3 counties.

1.4. Designation and printing of 500 T-shirt for participants.

1.5. Conduct 5 Days training workshops in three counties to 450 traditional leaders and church leaders .

1.6. Networking and linkage with local government authority and other Ngos peace development actors

at the payam level, county and state level

1.7. Conducting 2 Days Refreshment training in three counties to 450 leaders.

1.8. Peace Building and Reconciliation Committee meeting after every two months

1.9. Training materials needed in 3 locations for 150 person per location 450 pens, 450 writing materials, 450 bags, markpens

and Markpens, flitchart

Strengthened traditional and church leader's capacity in conflict prevention negotiation skills management resolution and Sustainable Peace for Social transformation and Economic Development in Warrap State, South Sudan.

Objectively Vertifiable Indicators Source and Means of Vertification

Trained 450 Traditional and church leaders in peace building and conflict negotion skills and violent to contribute Progress and quartely report

to nation peace building, unity and Reconciliation.

Conducted 5days Peace training workshops in three counties on good governance and principles of democracy, change of behaviour among the target groups

human rights, conflict prevention and peace building, trumua healing and reconciliation to be conflict sensitive and no report of violent and conflict.

transform institutions in discharging their mandates

111 traditional leaders and local government official participated in 5 days workshops in three counties on peace Monitoring and Evaulation

and conflict negatiation skills management solution will decrease the rate of nepotism, injustic, favourism in local Peace building committee monthly meetings

institutions cases handle by local chief amicable and fairly

Conducting 2 days refreshment training workshop in three counties to 450 traditional leaders and church leaders monthly report from Counties and payam from peace

will bring lives transformation and effective peace makers and reconciliators committees meetings and comparision

Cases handle by local chief amicable and fairly

144 youths and women leaders will gain skills and knowledge in peace building anc conflict prevention project progress report and monitoring and evalution.

Interim and final evaluation

72 Cattle camp leaders from 20 payams trained in peace building and conflict prevention will reduce the rate of project progress report and monitoring and evalution.

cattle rates Interim and final evaluation

Formation of 23 Peace building and reconciliation committees 3 at the county level and 20 at payam level. Observations and interviews

500 Peace T-shirt will be printed and distributed to 500 participants

Project Manager and community peace faciliator

stalkholders, communities leaders and church leaders

Project Manager and community peace faciliator

communities leaders and church leaders

Project Manager and community peace faciliator

Project Manager and community peace faciliator

communities leaders and church leaders

Project Manager and community peace faciliator

stalkholders, communities leaders and church leaders

Means Cost in USD Risk Assumptions

Project staffs Poor coordination of state,and county policies on coordination.

Operational Cost related to action , fuel

staff feeding, maintenance, generator, bank charge

,accommodation, communication,office supply 22870 Training materials need to remain relevant in a fast changing context and field.

Signing be-lateral Contract

Project manager, community Peace faciliator People trained in conflict resolution and peacebuilding will be used in such roles

food for field staff, fuel, Maintenance

Project manager, community Peace faciliator 15750

Project manager, Peace community faciliator 15000 Inflation and deflation in the market

food for field staff,Motorbikes, fuel, Maintenance

Project manager, Peace community faciliator 22500 Adverse political and other conditions in the focus counties that would .

food for participants, transport allowance, training materials, fuel, maintenance, Jeopardize the activities

Project manager, Peace community faciliator

food for field staff,Motorbikes, fuel, Maintenance Change in state dynamics, for example scaling-down of peacekeeping missions

Project manager, Peace community faciliator 13500

food for participants,transport allowance trainees,Motorbikes, fuel, Maintenance

Project manager, Peace community faciliator

food for field staff,Motorbikes, fuel, Maintenance, committees food allowance 6000

Project manager, Peace community faciliator 2700

Source and Means of Vertification

change of behaviour among the target groups

Peace building committee monthly meetings

cases handle by local chief amicable and fairly

monthly report from Counties and payam from peace

committees meetings and comparision

Cases handle by local chief amicable and fairly

project progress report and monitoring and evalution.

project progress report and monitoring and evalution.

Risk Management

Poor coordination of state,and county policies on coordination. Liaise with stakeholders on policy developments, lobby for the

synchronization of relevant policies and alert them to potential

Training materials need to remain relevant in a fast changing context and field. contradictions or problem areas and if possible suggest feasible solutions

People trained in conflict resolution and peacebuilding will be used in such roles The Manual and Handbook need to be independently evaluated for their relevance, and

and need to be periodically revised and updated to remain relevant

Inflation and deflation in the market Budget to remain relevant and revised periodically.

Adverse political and other conditions in the focus counties that would . Monitor political and other developments and decide on an appropriate response .

in consultation with partners, stakeholders and funding partner

Change in state dynamics, for example scaling-down of peacekeeping missions Programme staff will develop contacts with additional local partners and .

will maintain flexibility of the Programme to take into account the changes taking place