KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica is hosting civil society organisation (CSO) leaders from some 12 regional countries at the inaugural Caribbean CSO Conference.

The four-day event, featuring 120 participants from nations including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, is being held at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew from February 24 to 27.

It aims to equip civil society leaders, funders, and policymakers with practical, execution‑focused strategies.

The Canadian‑funded Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Basic Needs Trust Fund convened the conference to foster collaboration, encourage innovation, and promote strategic dialogue aimed at strengthening resilience and driving regional impact.

Speaking during the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Mark Berman, emphasised that CSOs across the Caribbean are indispensable in addressing entrenched development challenges, including climate vulnerability, youth unemployment, gender equality, and protection of the most vulnerable.

He cautioned, however, that persistent challenges remain for CSOs, which must be addressed if they are to successfully adapt to global shifts.

“This conference is designed to respond directly to those needs and the skills that CSOs require. The conference will focus on practical work on governance, social return on investment, results-based management, financial resilience, digital tools and AI (artificial intelligence), and strategic advocacy,”  Berman detailed.

The high commissioner urged the CSO leaders to use the conference to sharpen their strategies, focus on measurable impact and return on investment, and expand their partnerships.

He further encouraged funders and private-sector partners to “invest for the long term in institutional capacity, digital readiness, and sustainability, not just projects”.

To policymakers, Berman urged: “Open the space; ensure civil society’s voices remain central, shaping national and regional development agendas.”

In his remarks, Portfolio Manager for the CDB Basic Needs Trust Fund, George Yearwood, affirmed that the bank recognises and honours the indispensable contribution of civil society organisations – the third sector – as a central pillar of sustainable development in the Caribbean.

He noted that across the Caribbean, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations are often the first responders in times of crisis and the most trusted advocates within marginalised communities.

“They are steadfast champions of social justice, environmental stewardship, gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive growth. Their work is not peripheral to development. It is foundational to resilient and equitable societies,” Yearwood stated.

He added that by bringing NGOs together with government partners, development institutions, and private-sector actors, the CDB is advancing collective dialogue, identifying capacity gaps, strengthening partnerships, and fostering a more enabling environment.

The CSO conference is being held under the theme ‘The Shift: Igniting Civil Society’s Next Chapter’.

It will focus on four core pillars over the four days: funding and sustainability, technology and AI, operational excellence, and advocacy and visibility.

The event will culminate in a celebration of World Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Day on February 27, featuring a regional showcase that highlights the vital contributions of CSOs to Caribbean development.

— JIS