Area-based approaches are increasingly utilised in conflict-affected contexts and in combination with humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus interventions. In South Sudan, the United Nations Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are implementing such programming. Both models are beginning to yield short- or medium-term results, revealing opportunities and limitations to area-based approaches being applied to peacebuilding or Nexus programming in South Sudan. This report reflects on the early impact of these programmes to gain an understanding of how area-based programming (ABP) may address root causes of conflict and contribute to community resilience. It reviews a body of projects to report trends and good practices and puts forth a series of recommendations to maximise the impacts of area-based HDP nexus programming.