In a significant capacity-building initiative, Dominica’s non-profit sector underwent comprehensive training in governance and safeguarding protocols during a two-day workshop hosted by Lifeline Ministries. The event, held March 5-6, 2026 at the Public Service Training Building, assembled 50 representatives from approximately 30 civil society organizations nationwide.
Funded by the UK Government through the British High Commission for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, the workshop addressed increasingly stringent requirements from both international donors and Dominican regulatory bodies. The curriculum provided practical tools for enhancing organizational responsibility and effectiveness across multiple operational domains.
Technical sessions covered critical areas including sexual harassment awareness programs, policy development, and reporting procedures. Participants received specialized training on Financial Services Unit documentation protocols and compliance requirements with the Companies and Intellectual Property Office. The curriculum further addressed standards for board integrity, transparent accounting practices, and inclusive sexual education approaches for children with special needs.
A substantial portion of discussions focused on systemic challenges within gender-based violence referral pathways, addressing child sexual abuse, rape, and intimate partner violence. Participants advocated for district-based one-stop-shop approaches to streamline support services for survivors.
The workshop featured expert presentations from gender consultant Mrs. Renatta Langlais-Freeman, FSU representative Mr. Edd Elick, special education consultant Mrs. Beverly LeBlanc, accounting advisor Ms. Joyette Pascal, social services representative Mrs. Abigail Dorival George, and Lifeline Ministries’ Mrs. Tina Alexander.
As a concrete outcome, organizers will produce a customized manual addressing good governance and safeguarding practices within the Dominican context. This resource will support NGOs in maintaining elevated operational standards while enhancing their eligibility for international funding opportunities.
The initiative assumes particular significance given Dominica’s close ties with the United Kingdom and substantial resident population of British nationals. Organizational leaders emphasized that robust civil society structures serve as essential pillars for both democracy and national safety.
Participant feedback highlighted the workshop’s immediate practical value. Representatives from the You R Queen Foundation, Dominica Council on Aging, and Dominica Cancer Society unanimously praised the training’s relevance for compliance, financial accountability, and organizational sustainability. Many noted improved understanding of regulatory requirements and enhanced collaboration pathways with social services and financial regulatory bodies.
The overwhelming participation and positive response demonstrated the sector’s resilience and commitment to strengthening service delivery mechanisms throughout Dominica.