Dominica’s agricultural sector gained significant regional representation at the Caribbean Civil Society Organization Conference, held in Jamaica from February 22-25, 2026. The event, themed ‘The Shift: Igniting Civil Society’s Next Chapter,’ brought together over 120 delegates from 12 Caribbean nations with additional 600 participants joining virtually, all focused on addressing evolving development challenges through innovative approaches.
AgriHub, representing Dominica’s agricultural interests, participated in high-level discussions covering governance, financial management, and institutional development. Founder and Executive Director Abigail Shillingford emphasized the critical need for economic empowerment within non-profit organizations during the ‘Voices of the CSO’ session. ‘We must build structured, sustainable institutions that can generate impact beyond grant cycles,’ Shillingford stated, highlighting the necessity for civil society organizations to create tangible economic value.
The conference addressed pressing structural issues affecting Caribbean civil society, including declining international aid, increased funding competition, and more stringent accountability standards. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening governance frameworks, establishing disciplined financial systems, and engaging in long-term strategic planning as essential components for organizational growth.
Canada’s commitment to inclusive development was reaffirmed by Abebech Assefa, Development Counsellor at the High Commission of Canada in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. ‘Our partnerships in the region extend beyond policymakers and government institutions,’ Assefa noted. ‘We firmly believe that inclusive growth and sustainable development must include civil society.’
For Dominica, AgriHub’s participation is expected to yield concrete benefits through enhanced governance frameworks, diversified revenue sources, and improved impact measurement capabilities. These developments aim to attract funding supporting farmers, agro-processors, and rural entrepreneurs, potentially leading to expanded training initiatives and more robust value chains.
The conference also examined evolving collaboration models between civil society and government, showcasing case studies like Belize’s formal representation of civil society in its Senate. Shillingford highlighted administrative challenges in Dominica, noting that NGO registration can take up to three years, which hinders timely access to development funding. She advocated for modernized administrative procedures to improve transparency and accountability.
Canada continues supporting AgriHub’s growth through targeted partnerships, including direct backing of the ‘SheHarvest’ project under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. This gender-sensitive initiative aims to equip women farmers and agro-entrepreneurs with business skills and climate-smart techniques, enhancing productivity and increasing household incomes while promoting greater agricultural market participation.