The Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT) at the University of Wolverhampton has developed a free, self-paced online course to strengthen skills in grant proposal writing in the Caribbean context. Commissioned by the World University Service Canada (WUSC), in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the course is designed to help practitioners and community organisations develop high-quality, funder-ready project proposals that support resilience and sustainable development. Interest in the programme has been strong, with more than 4,000 people registering ahead of the launch, while the online launch event attracted 246 participants from across the Caribbean and beyond.
The launch featured keynote addresses from Dr Martin Baptiste Social Sector Division Chief at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Ms Abebech Aseefa from the Canada High Commission and Deputy Director Kester Craig of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), each highlighting the importance of investing in people as well as projects. Dr Baptiste noted that the global reality is bigger than the Caribbean and stressed that the focus is not just on funding but the capacity to use it well. Looking ahead, he said, “the future Caribbean will be built by empowered communities, not institutions alone,” calling for greater investment in the region’s changemakers. He also highlighted the CBD forthcoming Civil Society Engagement Strategy and concluded by referencing Margaret Mead’s famous observation about the power of committed citizens to bring about change.
Ms Aseefa spoke about Canada’s commitment to supporting locally led, inclusive development initiatives and organisations working on the front line of community development. She explained that the course will help transform project ideas into clear, compelling, funder-ready proposals, adding: “Good ideas alone are not enough – they need to be aligned to regional strategic priorities. This course helps bridge the gap.” Kester Craig of CDEMA echoed this message, noting that development financing is becoming increasingly competitive and that the ability to develop strong, evidence-based proposals is now an essential professional skill.
“When communities access resources, their resilience moves from aspiration to action,” he said, “We are not drafting proposals, we are drafting life changes.”
The speakers also praised the highly collaborative approach taken to develop the course. “We are deeply grateful for CIDT’s expertise that helped us bring the course to life,” one speaker remarked. The course was built through a partnership between leading regional and international institutions but validated by practitioners through an inclusive consultation and pilot testing process involving members of local community-based organisations across the Caribbean. Sharing the perspective of the pilot group, Nadian Anderson of Bridge People Engagement described the course as being deeply rooted in community experience, using simple, relatable examples that bridge the gap between the lived realities of Caribbean organisations and the expectations of global funders. She said the course will contribute to regional resilience and strengthen the capacity of organisations to attract funding. Cheryl Adams of Voice of the Disabled also welcomed the programme, highlighting its potential to empower grassroots organisations by enabling them to develop their own funding proposals rather than relying on paid consultants. She said the course would help organisations become more self-sufficient, strengthening local ownership and ensuring more communities are equipped to secure the resources they need to deliver lasting change.
