Who We Are
Centre for Democracy and Development (CEDED) is a national, non-governmental, and non-profit civil society organization dedicated to promoting peaceful, inclusive, and empowered communities in South Sudan.
History
Our roots trace back to June 12, 1998, when we were established as a solitary Community Resource Centre under the New Sudan Education Agency (NSEA). Founded in direct response to citizens' expressed need for information on democracy and good governance, the Centre became fully independent in 2008 as the Yei Community Resource Centre, initially serving Central Equatoria State. On August 16, 2012, the organization officially adopted the name Centre for Democracy and Development (CEDED), progressively scaling its reach and evolving into the national civil society organization it is today.
For nearly three decades, CEDED has operated at the grassroots level, leading by example and working in dynamic partnerships to bridge the gap between local populations and national development agendas. We actively respond to critical societal challenges, including inadequate access to credible information, capacity gaps among local duty bearers, youth, women, and traditional chiefs, and extreme poverty. Our interventions directly address the painful aftermath of violent conflicts such as hate speech, deep-seated distrust, ethnic divisions, and human rights violations, while creating vital spaces for citizens to voice community concerns and participate in local decision-making.
By translating complex political, governance, and human rights issues into practical, community-driven actions, CEDED ensures that all citizens regardless of literacy level, background, ethnicity, or social status are empowered to shape the decisions that affect their lives. Over the years, we have collaborated closely with grassroots communities, government institutions, civil society, women, youth, and traditional leaders. Through participatory engagement, strategic advocacy, institutional capacity strengthening, and conflict transformation, CEDED has established itself as a trusted, frontline anchor partner for inclusive governance across South Sudan.
Our Approach
CEDED believes that sustainable peace and development are only achievable when communities possess the knowledge, skills, and platforms required to actively drive their own development. Our operational approach is anchored in four core principles:
Participatory Engagement
We utilize inclusive methodologies that place communities at the center of dialogue, decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving.
Community Ownership
We treat communities as active partners and frontline leaders in co-creating sustainable local solutions.
Evidence-Based Advocacy
We generate primary knowledge, facilitate public policy dialogue, and launch targeted advocacy initiatives that advance justice, peace, human rights, and accountable governance.
Conflict Sensitivity and Inclusion
All CEDED interventions are designed through a conflict-sensitive lens, actively promoting the safety, inclusion, and meaningful participation of women, youth, and historically marginalized groups.
Vision
A peaceful, empowered, and self-reliant society where democratic principles, human dignity, and sustainable development flourish.
Mission
To promote an inclusive and empowered society through institutional capacity strengthening, universal access to information, and evidence-based advocacy for sustainable peace, human rights, and resilient livelihoods across South Sudan.
Core Values
Our operations, institutional partnerships, and community interventions are guided by five foundational values:
Transparency and Accountability
We demand absolute honesty and openness in all aspects of our work, ensuring total accountability for our strategic decisions, resource management, partnerships, and program outcomes.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
We embrace diversity and respect differing perspectives, recognizing that inclusive participation is vital to building cohesive and peaceful communities.
Teamwork
We value collaboration and collective action, working seamlessly across our field teams, community networks, and international partners to achieve shared national objectives.
Responsiveness
We are committed to delivering timely, appropriate, and agile responses to emerging community needs, governance challenges, human rights concerns, and development priorities.
Integrity
We uphold the highest ethical and professional standards by strictly adhering to our organizational principles, policies, and national statutory regulations, thereby maintaining deep institutional credibility and public trust.
Our Commitment
CEDED remains unyielding in its commitment to building a South Sudan where citizens are empowered to participate meaningfully in governance, communities resolve disputes peacefully, human rights are unconditionally respected, and sustainable development opportunities are accessible to all.
Strategic Outlook
CEDED is strategically evolving from a traditional, project-based NGO into a permanent, sustainable knowledge and learning institution that contributes to peace, governance, and democratic development in South Sudan and the wider East African region.
Our current strategic priorities focus on consolidating our deep operational presence across Central, Eastern, and Western Equatoria States, while systematically expanding our reach to critical areas including Jonglei and Northern Bahr el Ghazal States. By combining strong community trust, decades of field experience, evidence-based research, and strategic advocacy coalitions, CEDED continues to build sustainable civic platforms that safeguard human rights, democratic participation, social cohesion, and inclusive development for present and future generations.