As Caribbean states look to capitalize on their untapped potential, many are recognizing that it’s essential to use investment wisely to address common social development challenges, from housing to social infrastructure. Nevis, part of the twin Island state of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic are all taking slightly different approaches, but each is working to encourage social development and set their people up for success.
Nevis
On the small yet prosperous island of Nevis, the island administration is encouraging higher levels of foreign and domestic investment to develop programs at home. This investment covers long-term projects like energy security through a geothermal project, but it is also focused on direct social development.
The island’s Premier, Mark Brantley, is ensuring that inclusive engagement programs for young people on the island are taking a more prominent role in its development. His $101M budget for 2025 has increased to allow provisions to support its citizens’ social livelihoods through funding allocated for library and youth sports programs.
Notably, 15% of the total budget for 2025 has been allocated to the Ministry of Education, which includes library services and youth and sports. Youth engagement is key to building inclusive, sustainable futures, and these programs will provide young Nevisians with dedicated spaces to actively participate in their communities and empower them to pursue a future of their choosing.
Recently announced improvements to local hospitals included a new operating theatre and physiotherapy, pediatric, laboratory, and radiology wings. Nevis is making rapid improvements to its population’s general health, and in the case of maternity care specifically, 100% of births were attended by skilled birth personnel in 2022. Improvements to pediatric and general after-care facilities will no doubt reassure locals that their government is taking strides to look after its citizens and their futures by ushering in a “new era” of healthcare for Nevisians.
Jamaica
Jamaica, too, is using a combination of public and private investment to develop social programs.
As recently as the end of 2024, the Jamaican Government announced numerous projects that aim to bring in $2B in private investment.
For example, plans to build 6,000 houses under the New Social Housing Programme have already seen some 300 residents in Westmoreland receive high-quality, affordable housing, representing a “significant shift” in the country’s approach to social housing.
Similarly, private investment has seen Jamaica’s 200-year-old racing history honored through the modernization of the Caymanas Track, where the adoption of cutting-edge GMax Digital Timing technology has been hailed as a “gamechanger” to the local economy by local punters for its real-time graphics and precision in analyzing race results. This will no doubt reassure Jamaicans, whose storied love affair with horse racing makes it more than just a pastime, that their government is committed to community development as well as economic.
The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has adopted a slightly different approach that focuses on outcomes to improve social development. In particular, through the Supérate strategy, its flagship social protection program designed to reduce poverty through improving the social protection network. Structured around eight socio-economic components and co-funded by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, the program aims to create better conditions for vulnerable families to develop and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
The success of the initiative is clearly seen in its reach, with approximately 40% of Dominicans impacted by its framework, and stories like that of Julia, who received financial assistance through Supérate after her home was destroyed by Hurricane Fiona in 2022 spotlight the real-life impact such programs can have.
The wide range of assistance available through Supérate, like teaching key skills and providing financial aid, means that families are able to lift themselves out of poverty, secure brighter futures, and thrive while doing so.
All three of the island states identified have their own visions of their path forward, but the common thread that weaves through all of them is understanding the importance of investing in their citizens for long-term success. Through initiatives that understand the need for community development as well as bricks-and-mortar support, these three islands are taking the chance to prosper with both hands.
Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Daily. He is responsible for overseeing other editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and covering breaking news.