In October 2025, CIDT took part in what was deemed as an historic event for the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The launch of the first online community engagement course marked a significant milestone for the CDB Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF).
Camille Taylor, Head of Corporate Communications at the CDB explained the significance of the event:
“The is more than a course launch, it is a statement of intent; a commitment to innovation and a bold step towards equipping those who are closest to our communities with the tools they need to create real lasting change.”
CDB is deeply committed to bringing about meaningful and positive change for the people of the Caribbean and sees community engagement as a key pillar to improvement and ownership of change. Camille continued,
“At CDB we believe that strong resilient communities are the foundation of sustainable development and we know that development only truly success when people remain at its very heart as active participants, decision makers and agents of their own transformations.
The course embodies a heightened focus on action and innovation; it reflects a commitment to solving problems, not just effectively, but creatively. It is about empowerment, partnership and it brings optimism that we bring to our shared work of building a better Caribbean,”
Building on the efforts of the Community Disaster Risk Reduction Trust Fund (CDRRF) and the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), CIDT co-created a self-paced interactive online learning course aimed at strengthening the capacity of Community Engagement (CE) practitioners with relevant practical skills, tools, and a framework for strengthening community involvement throughout the project cycle.
The following video features highlights from the online event, introduced by Camille Taylor and featuring various speakers including Richardo Aiken, CDB Community Development Specialist, giving an overview of the course features and the content in the five modules, which are:
- Community Engagement in Context
- Preparing for Community Engagement
- Skills and Methods for Effective Community Engagement
- Tools to Facilitate Community Engagement
- Engaging Indigenous and Tribal Communities
The launch event received wide attention and was attended by 410 participants from 30 countries, including some participants from outside the region reaching as far as Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, and the Netherlands.
The video also shows comments from various expert speakers and partner representatives, including CIDT’s Daniela Baur, who spoke to celebrating a long-standing partnership between the University of Wolverhampton and the Caribbean Development Bank, highlighting a shared commitment to empowering Caribbean communities through inclusive, context-driven education, collaboration, and people-centred development.
Mr Omar Wright leads environmental and community development programmes at Jamaica National Foundation. He thanked CDB for the professional investment in development practitioners,
“[the course is] strengthening the very heart of the development process, putting the people we serve at the centre. You are equipping us practitioners to build stronger relationships, deeper trust and resilient communities with the projects we design, develop and execute.”
“It is not just a training but part of a wider movement, one that ensures the people that we serve are not bystanders to their development, but partners, collaborators, co-creators in shaping a better future; not just for themselves and country but for the wider Caribbean region.”
Ms. Catherine Dorsette, Ministry Youth and Community Development Worker, , Montserrat, graced the audience with lyrical sentiments conveyed in a poem written about placing people at the heart of development.
“The Caribbean calls with one big voice, for development to be the people’s choice;
A focus clear, a plan in place, for peace, for good, for equal space.
A place for woman, man and child, where dreams are free and hearts run wild.”
Dr Martin Baptiste, Division Chief of CDB’s Social Sector Division cited World Bank and OECD reviews (2018 and 2021) which confirmed that outcomes improve significantly when communities are engaged from the outset.
Dr Marcus Goffe, Advisor to the Yamaye Council of Indigenous Leaders (YCOIL) in Jamaica, offered a perspective spoke of how the course contributes to a paradigm shift in how indigenous and tribal communities want to be seen and engaged.
Interested in access the free online resource?
Visit this link to register your interest.
