The objective of the Caribbean Family and Friends Engagement Initiative is to support the sustainable development of Caribbean communities by facilitating consistent and enhanced connections between communities and members of the Caribbean diaspora.

In addition to members of the Caribbean diaspora, the initiative encourages involvement by friends, well-wishers, and institutions that interact with the Caribbean and its citizens.

For the purpose of this initiative, family and friends include:

  • Individuals in the Caribbean diaspora (persons born in the Caribbean and their descendants), and their extended families.
  • Individuals who have a favorable view of the Caribbean.
  • Individuals who visit or do business in the Caribbean.
  • Diaspora associations.
  • Organizations that wish to contribute to Caribbean development.
  • Companies owned by individuals born in the Caribbean or their descendants.
  • Corporations that conduct business in the Caribbean.

This initiative acknowledges the work of other organizations and the existence of other mechanisms through which family and friends contribute to Caribbean development. As such, this initiative is intended to supplement, not replace, existing mechanisms for engagement and action.

Background
Most of the countries in the Caribbean are small island developing states, which face unique challenges that constrain development opportunities.  These constraints include small size, limited resources, distance from main markets, and a high level of dependency on fragile ecological systems. The small resource base and communities are extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and the effects of climate change.

Additionally, most Caribbean countries are single-sector economies designed primarily for export and are therefore vulnerable to disruptions from natural disasters and external geopolitical events.

Strategies to diversify economies have depended to a large extent on external financing in the form of foreign direct investment and loans. There are also inflows of foreign exchange in the form of remittances and grants from international development partners.

Despite these various sources of financing, many Caribbean countries have not achieved the development outcomes anticipated. As a result, Caribbean communities continue to face uncertainties due to the increasing damage to environmental and social systems, even as countries carry large debt burdens.

Some Caribbean countries and inter-governmental organizations established initiatives to increase financial investment by individuals and corporations linked to the Caribbean diaspora, as well as to support disaster recovery efforts.

The Caribbean diaspora has acted to alleviate some of the stresses through a variety of means, such as remittances, provision of medical and other supplies, and providing different forms of support to individuals and organizations. These efforts have been extremely beneficial to the recipients.

It is now recognized that development progress requires a ‘whole of society’ collective effort in designing and undertaking actions to create resilient communities that protect the well-being of Caribbean people.

This Caribbean Family and Friends Engagement Initiative is one mechanism in that collective effort, designed to facilitate consistent engagement and effective action, and responsive to the needs of Caribbean communities.

Scope of the Initiative

The FDPI recognizes the valuable contributions of other organizations, thus this initiative seeks to supplement, not replace, existing mechanisms for engagement and action. The initiative encompasses three modes of engagement:

I. Conversations on Caribbean Development
The purpose of the dialogue is to exchange information and perspectives that inform individual and collective action. Though there are many topics of importance, the FDPI considers it more constructive to focus on issues related to the state of Caribbean development and its place in world affairs. It is anticipated that the sharing of information and perspectives by individuals and organizations in the diaspora and in the Caribbean will illuminate possibilities and facilitate enhanced and more impactful collaboration.

The dialogue will take the form of an online discussion series on topics identified by family and friends in the Caribbean and diaspora.

II. Individual Action

  • Volunteerism, linked to initiatives, organizations, or networks.
  • Exchange of information.
  • Participation in learning and knowledge production initiatives.
  • Financial contributions to initiatives or organizations.

III. Collective Action

  • Mobilization of groups/organizations for actions that restore damaged systems or create new opportunities for community development.
  • Financial contributions to the Foundation for Development Planning, Inc (FDPI) to support specific initiatives or for unrestricted use to leverage program support and build program delivery systems.

Online community fora sharing perspectives on local development include Under The Markets, a community forum for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Donating to the Foundation for Development Planning, Inc.
Donations to the FDPI can be made through this website.

Donations by check should be mailed to the FDPI at:
P.O. Box 303387
St. Thomas, VI 00803, U.S.A.

The FDPI is certified by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) public charity. As such, donations by U.S. institutions, citizens, and permanent residents are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  To request a receipt for your donation, please include a completed donation form with your check.