The Foundation for Development Planning, Inc (FDP) undertakes research and projects based on a Program of Work that reflects Caribbean development priorities and critical issues that require additional attention or investment.  As part of its research focus, the Foundation participates in the development of tools and processes for improved development planning.  FDP is also designed to function as a technical support institution within the Wider Caribbean Region, providing technical assistance to private, public, and civil society institutions, including the bilateral and multilateral agencies

Water Resources Development
An inadequate supply of water for domestic and agricultural purposes has been a major issue in Caribbean development.  Decreased availability of surface water, increasing contamination of surface and groundwater sources, and increased total demand, has resulted in increased investment in desalination plants and a progression towards the use of deep wells.  The concerns about water stresses in the Caribbean motivated Caribbean countries to join the Global Water Partnership.  The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean, a regional network of institutions involved in water resources management, was launched in 2004.  However, models of water resources management that can address the current and emerging factors creating water stresses have yet to be developed.  The reactions of the national water resources management agencies to the 2009-2010 drought indicated that much remain to be done in water resources management in the Caribbean.  The forecasted changes in precipitation influenced by global climate change increases the degree of urgency to create solutions to this age-old problem.

Areas of focus during current program period:
- Water resources policy and planning.
- Development of appropriate technologies and practices.

Climate Change
It is anticipated that future climate change will create severe shocks to Caribbean economies.  The current visible effects of increased storm activity, coral bleaching, and drought are expected to increase in severity.  Increased temperatures and changes in precipitation will generate secondary level changes in the biophysical environment, affecting the integrity and resilience of critical ecosystems, food security, health security, and the ability of communities to absorb the forecasted shocks.  National programs to promote and support comprehensive disaster management and climate change adaptation are not currently robust or extensive enough to systematically undertake vulnerability assessments necessary to inform the design of interventions required to increase the resilience of the key economic sectors.

Areas of focus during current program period:
- Climate change adaptation planning – sector assessments, land use    planning, and adaptation planning.
- Security – food, health, water.
- Economic modeling – insurance and re-insurance, impacts on development patterns and growth, opportunities for increasing stability and resilience of ecosystems and key economic sectors, risk assessment and management.
- Protected areas policy and planning.
- Development of natural and cultural heritage sites – focused on protection of biodiversity and development of the tourism product.

Development Research
There is no consistent testing and demonstration of environmental management and sustainable development concepts in the Caribbean.  The various analytical tools and approaches used have been influenced by a range of external actors.  The various science and technology councils and research institutions in Caribbean countries have largely failed to deliver the economic impact anticipated by their founders and stakeholders.  The anticipated changes associated with global climate change require renewed focus not only on localized development strategies, but also on the supporting structures and systems for management of the development process.

Areas of focus during current program period:
- Development and adaptation of appropriate technologies – crops, agricultural practices, energy generation, waste management.
- Models of community development that reduce reliance on the (national) center.
- Institutional reform – governance structures and management systems to facilitate appropriate collaborative development planning and resource allocation decision making.

Development of Decision Support Tools
Decisions regarding public sector development strategies (as well as large projects) are often made using tools and information not apparent to the communities affected by those decisions.  This often leads to waste, social conflicts, and failed projects.  The same is often true of private sector decision making in the Caribbean.  The Foundation for Development Planning, Inc will design and/or support initiatives for the development and adaptation of standard methods and innovative tools to support decision making in the development planning and development control processes.

Areas of focus during current program period:
- Information management and delivery systems.
- Establishment of a Caribbean digital library.
- Establishment of a FDP publications program.
- Development of environmental management conceptual frameworks, systems, and management tools.
- Demonstration of sustainable development approaches and strategies.
- Public policy analysis and development.
- Identification of Emerging Issues – forecasting shifts relevant to the Caribbean, such as regional development agenda and changes in ecological balance.

Development Economics
Caribbean economies have changed from agrarian to tourism economies, mostly dependent on, and vulnerable to, external economic forces.  Economic strategies have become focused on short-term outcomes, often articulated as Medium Term Economic Strategies, which are often driven by political considerations rather than by national development plans.  There is a need to utilize economic models that support greater utilization of Caribbean assets and cultural strengths.

Areas of focus during current program period:
- National and sectoral development planning.
- Mainstreaming environmental assets in the development process.
- Wealth creation – investment banking, equity financing, investment clubs, business development, and corporate ownership structures.

Technical Advisory Service
Many Caribbean countries are unable to maintain the pool of expertise necessary to adequately design and manage the national development planning processes, while simultaneously responding to external obligations and threats.  External technical assistance provided through the various mechanisms are often not linked to a national reality or objective, and often do not achieve the desired outcomes.  The Technical Advisory Service will focus on the provision of technical assistance in the general area of development planning to community groups, national civil society organizations, public and private institutions, Caribbean regional organizations, and bilateral and multilateral institutions.  The service will be designed primarily around the FDP Associates, Caribbean professionals who agree to abide by the Foundation’s Code of Conduct.  The service will provide technical expertise throughout the full development/environmental management cycle, from policy development through to evaluation and program re-design.

Areas of focus during current program period:
- Establishment of the Associates Network.
- Provision of technical assistance.
- Facilitation of exchange of technical expertise between sites, programs, institutions, and countries.
-Establishment of an Environmental Leadership Development Program.