KINGSTON, Jamaica – A new wave of financial training is reshaping how grassroots organisations operate across Jamaica, equipping community leaders with practical tools to strengthen operations, secure funding, and sustain impact.
From Kingston to St James, dozens of civil society actors recently completed a four-day workshop series tailored to address one of the sector’s greatest challenges: financial literacy. The initiative, spearheaded by the JN Foundation in tandem with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Canada’s Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF), introduced structured training sessions focused on budgeting, proposal writing, and financial compliance.
At the opening session in Kingston, over 50 representatives from community-based groups engaged in interactive modules designed to enhance their financial decision-making. “The training helped us rethink how we structure proposals and assess financial risks,” said Mario Galbert of Youth Action Co-Lab. “It wasn’t just theory—it was real, usable insight.”
The programme has drawn praise not only for its content but for its targeted approach. “We’ve often had to learn these things on the fly,” noted Cassandra McLean, who works with youth and community policing initiatives in Bull Bay. “This gave us the framework we’ve needed for years.”
The workshops are part of a broader push to bring Jamaica’s non-profit sector in line with international donor requirements and local financial regulations. Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, emphasized that while many community organisations are passionate and impactful, gaps in financial literacy often limit their access to critical support. “The goal is simple—empower these groups to stand on firm financial ground,” she said.
Richardo Aiken of the CDB echoed that sentiment, stating that the future of development work hinges on more than infrastructure. “Lasting transformation starts with empowered people. And that requires more than just training—it demands capacity,” he said.
The series, which concluded on May 1, 2025, has already sparked plans for expansion. A dedicated financial literacy course tailored specifically for civil society groups is expected to launch later this year via the JN Financial Academy.
For organisations like the Bucknor Concerned Citizens Benevolent Society, which operates in underserved communities in Clarendon, the timing is critical. “We’re learning how to manage money better, how to budget, and how to build partnerships,” said member Jeanetta Thomas. “That’s going to change how we operate going forward.”
With growing interest from both development partners and local agencies, the training series is setting a new standard—proving that when community organisations are equipped with knowledge, they become not only more accountable, but more powerful agents of change.
