Protecting People, Strengthening Support Systems
Through SDF 11, the Caribbean Development Bank will help Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) build stronger, more inclusive societies by investing in essential services and protections that allow people to weather adversity and thrive. The programme will:
- Support national social protection frameworks, helping countries strengthen policies, systems, and delivery mechanisms that protect the most vulnerable, particularly in times of crisis.
- Expand inclusive education and training, with a focus on Special Education Needs (SEN), school leadership, teacher development, and early interventions to prevent educational failure.
- Strengthen food and nutrition security, especially through improved targeting and integration with social protection and education systems.
- Fund expanded access to clean water, sanitation, and waste management services, essential for health and dignity.
- Continue financing the Basic Needs Trust Fund, CDB’s flagship poverty reduction programme, targeting rural communities and underserved populations with small-scale, high-impact investments.
SDF 11 will also enhance engagement with civil society organisations to ensure that programme design and delivery reflect the perspectives of those most affected by poverty, exclusion, and inequality.
Responding to Social Fragmentation and Unequal Opportunity
The pandemic, climate shocks, and persistent structural barriers have weakened the social fabric of many Caribbean societies. Poverty has worsened, gender based violence has increased, inequality has deepened, and essential public services, particularly education, health, and social assistance, have come under strain. Vulnerable groups, including youth, persons with disabilities, and single-parent households (most of which are female-headed), are disproportionately affected. Many BMCs also face rising citizen insecurity and social unrest, further undermining trust in public institutions.
At the same time, public resources are stretched thin. High debt burdens limited fiscal space, and competing demands have made it increasingly difficult for governments to meet the needs of their people, especially during crises.
SDF 11 will help reverse these trends by strengthening the systems that protect people from shocks, expand their opportunities, and support upward mobility. By embedding resilience in the social sector, the programme will enable governments to invest not just in recovery, but in long-term human development. These investments are vital for achieving the SDGs and building more just, equitable Caribbean societies.