ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Nov 5, CMC – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is calling for civil society organisations to be recognised as essential partners in regional development, arguing that their involvement is critical to strengthening institutions and ensuring that programmes respond to the needs of communities.
The Bank’s Vice-President (Operations), Dr. Isaac Solomon, made the call at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth People’s Forum, held as part of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Solomon said civil society organisations have the community knowledge, trusted relationships and practical experience needed to make development interventions more inclusive, effective and sustainable.
“Development is not simply about what we deliver to people. It is about what we achieve with people,” he said.
He added that the Bank wanted to move beyond consulting civil society and recognise organisations as essential development partners.
The CDB’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2035 identifies investing in youth, strengthening institutions and accelerating climate action as its three overarching priorities. The Bank says achieving these goals will require closer collaboration among governments, development institutions, civil society, communities and the private sector.
As part of its efforts to strengthen civil society capacity, the CDB launched the Caribbean’s first accredited online course in Community Engagement in 2025, including a module on engagement with Indigenous and Tribal Peoples.
In 2026, the Bank, in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, introduced an online Proposal Writing course which attracted more than 5,000 registrants from 102 countries during its first three months.
Both courses are free and self-paced and are accredited by the University of Wolverhampton. They are expected to be accessible through the CDB Academy, which is scheduled to launch in December 2026.
The Bank is also developing a Civil Society Organisation Engagement and Partnership Strategy, expected to be completed in 2027. The strategy is intended to establish a more systematic framework for dialogue, capacity building and partnerships, and to support civil society participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of development initiatives across the Bank’s Borrowing Member Countries.
Solomon said investment in civil society would contribute to stronger institutions and more resilient communities.
The Bank said its engagement at the Forum reflects its position that inclusion is central to economic transformation, particularly in expanding opportunities for young people, women, persons with disabilities and community organisations.
It said it would continue working with the Commonwealth Foundation, governments, civil society organisations and development partners to turn discussions into practical partnerships and measurable results for Caribbean communities.
CMC/ed/2026