Gedarif Eco-Peace Project

The Eco-Peace Project was implemented by the Sudanese Environment Conservation Society (SECS) in Gedarif State from October 2008 to December 2011, with funding support from Oxfam Novib. The project aimed to promote a proactive culture of environmental peace and advocate for equitable access to natural resources as a foundation for sustainable livelihoods among communities that rely heavily on land, forests, and pasture systems. The initiative targeted farmers, pastoralist groups, women, youth, teachers, media personnel, local leaders, civil society actors, and government agencies across Gallabat and Basunda Localities. Through a combination of training programs on natural resource conflict resolution, environmental rights, community mobilization, awareness campaigns, school-based activities, improved seed banks, revolving gas supplies, and participatory forums on climate change, land-use policies, and transboundary cooperation with Ethiopia, the project fostered peaceful coexistence, reduced environmental pressures, strengthened local governance structures, and enabled communities to adopt more sustainable resource use practices.