Jamaica served as the host for a landmark gathering of civil society organization (CSO) leaders from across the Caribbean region from February 24th to 27th. The inaugural Caribbean CSO Conference assembled 120 delegates representing twelve nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Organized through a partnership between the Canadian-funded Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF) and the Caribbean Development Bank’s Basic Needs Trust Fund, the conference adopted a practical, execution-oriented approach. The four-day forum was strategically designed to enhance collaboration, stimulate innovation, and facilitate strategic dialogue to bolster regional resilience and impact.
Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mark Berman, emphasized the critical function of CSOs in tackling persistent development challenges. He identified climate vulnerability, youth unemployment, gender inequality, and protection of vulnerable populations as key areas where civil society plays an indispensable role. Commissioner Berman further urged organizations to adapt to global transformations by strengthening governance structures, financial resilience, digital capabilities, and advocacy efforts.
George Yearwood, Portfolio Manager for the CDB Basic Needs Trust Fund, reinforced the institutional recognition of CSOs as fundamental pillars of sustainable development throughout the Caribbean. He highlighted how non-governmental and community-based organizations consistently serve as first responders during crises and maintain positions as trusted advocates within marginalized communities, championing causes ranging from social justice and environmental stewardship to gender equality and youth empowerment.
The conference, themed “The Shift: Igniting Civil Society’s Next Chapter,” centered its discussions around four critical pillars: funding and sustainability models, technology and artificial intelligence integration, operational excellence, and enhanced advocacy and visibility strategies. The event concluded with a World NGO Day celebration featuring a regional showcase that honored the vital contributions of CSOs to Caribbean development progress.