Over the past decade there has been a noted decrease in international donor support for NGO programmes in the Caribbean. This has had a number of negative effects on the Caribbean NGO movement and the programmes they implement on behalf of Caribbean peoples. Many NGOs have had to cut back their staff compliment, sometimes by as much as 50%, and reduce the number and scope of their developmental programmes.

Popular dissatisfaction with the equality of representation afforded Carribbean people in all spheres of national life over the past two decades has led to a more vigilant and proactive citizenry across the region. Caribbean people have lost confidence in the old style of governing states in which political parties in office and in opposition were the sole agents of public affairs. Acting both individually and collectively citizens are calling for a new way of governing.

A Better Deal for the Region’s Poor Means:
  Make poverty reduction the number one priority of trade negotiations.
  Provide maximum protection for small and vulnerable countries and their populations.
  Ensure negotiations are fair and transparent.
  Encourage the participation of civil society.
  Don’t enact trade rules that take away services from the poor.

For more than a quarter of a century non-governmental organizations and more broadly civil society organizations have been in the forefront of efforts to mainstream the participation of ordinary people across the Caribbean in the economic, social and culture development of the region.