Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP)

Summary

The Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) is a project which started in 2020, funded by the World Bank. It is being implemented by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in partnership with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) and the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS).

Details

Aim

The CARDTP’s aims to ensure that every individual and business within the OECS region is empowered with access to broadband, digital financial services, and digital literacy skills needed to participate in an increasingly digital marketplace and society. CARDTP also supports the improved management of digital risks, the project will bolster cybersecurity policy, capacity, and planning tools in the region. The project has three main pillars:

1.   The Digital Enabling Environment addressing:

• • telecommunications competition, affordability, and service quality
  • the enabling environment for Digital Financial Services
  • cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy

2.   Digital Government Infrastructure Platforms & Services embracing:

• • Digital Service Enablers such as digital ID, Govt payment platforms, cloud infrastructure, etc
  • the construction of  a major digital learning eco-system

3.   Digital Skills & Technology Adoption attending to:

• • Digital skills development
  • Technology adoption

Context

As a precursor to the project’s approval, Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) instruments have been prepared. These instruments seek to:

• • Boost protection for people and the environment; 
  • Promote capacity and institution-building, and country ownership; 
  • Make advances in transparency, accountability and public participation; 
  • Ensure greater emphasis on stakeholder engagement and meaningful consultation throughout the project cycle; and 
  • Increase responsiveness and attention to project issues during implementation through adaptive risk management and proportionality

Activities

• 15-17 April 2024 (Saint Lucia) Consultation workshop to establish national Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) for participating member states. During the workshop, member states were also able to assess their readiness for establishing a national CIRT and they discussed existing needs, gaps, and possible solutions.
• 21 January 2025  (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago) Final workshop to develop a Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) Establishment Plan – hosted by CARICOM IMPACS. The workshop served as a platform to present the CIRT Establishment Plan Report, explore implementation strategies, address stakeholder concerns, and foster collaboration. The Report provides a strategic framework to enhance cybersecurity resilience across the OECS, enabling a unified and proactive response to digital threats.

Other relevant links

•  The Digital Revolution in the OECS unfolds!
• New Plans for Improved Cybersecurity in the OECS with Caribbean Digital Transformation Project
• CARICOM IMPACS – CARICOM IMPACS Hosts Final Workshop on CIRT Establishment Plan

Image: Consultation workshop to establish national Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs) for participating member states (Source: Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States website)