Perceptions matter. People’s views on peace and security shape how they perceive peace processes with real world consequences. More optimistic views on prospects for peace among a population can give people a stake in their political future and help to generate political momentum for transitional processes. Positive perceptions of peace can reduce the attraction of armed groups, increase engagement with peace initiatives, and improve compliance with a transitional framework, both nationally and at a local level. The importance of public trust is sometimes lost in the South Sudanese context, where the transitional process has tended to focus on political accommodation and elite interests. Decades of humanitarian assistance have also perpetuated a notion of South Sudanese as passive recipients of international interventions with limited voice and participation. This report summarizes findings of a national survey on perceptions of peace in South Sudan. In August and September 2021, 2,276 respondents were surveyed across 8 primary locations – Aweil, Bentiu, Bor, Juba, Malakal, Pibor, Wau, and Yei – and 25 secondary locations (including IDP settlements and villages outside of these towns). The survey documents how people conceive of peace in their everyday lives and how their experiences shape their views on the peace process and on peace and security broadly. Two additional surveys will be conducted in 2022 to further substantiate the findings, explore new questions about emerging political issues (such as the electoral process and the role of public authority), enable longitudinal analysis, and examine other aspects of the peace process.