Stakeholder engagement on the strengthening of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) governance framework in Saint Lucia, has moved one step further with the convening of a national consultation with civil society partners.

Held in the latter part of February, the session overseen by the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Gender, Older Persons, Labour, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, brought NGOs together to review and provide feedback on the proposed Non-Governmental Organizations (Amendment) Bill, including plans to establish a Non-Governmental Organizations Council and an Appeals Committee.

Kendal Elva, Deputy Director of Social Transformation, underscored the need for legislative reform to reflect evolving realities. “The particular Act was passed in 2006, and understandably the situation on the ground has changed. As a Ministry, we believe legislation must be responsive to the context in which we operate. Saint Lucia is also party to several international agreements addressing issues such as money laundering and terrorist financing, and we must ensure NGOs operate in a manner that is transparent and accountable,” he stated.

The consultation formed part of a broader commitment to inclusive governance with discussions also focusing on the proposed seven-member NGO Council, which will oversee registration, certification, investigations and compliance, as well as a three-member Appeals Committee to strengthen accountability and procedural fairness. “The Ministry places great emphasis on participatory development, and given that this NGO Act directly impacts NGOs, it is important that they have a voice in shaping the proposed changes. In addition, Participants are also being invited to nominate individuals to serve on these bodies, signaling Government’s intent to strengthen oversight while supporting the NGO sectors in Saint Lucia,” Mr. Elva noted.

Silvina Augustin-James, President and Founder of Making A Difference Foundation, welcomed the process. "It was a very enlightening experience where we were able to analyze the document, identify issues and make recommendations to ensure that we have an NGO Act that everyone will feel comfortable with. It is years now that I first heard about this process, and I think it is finally approaching an end,” she said.
 
Through this engagement, the Ministry continues to strengthen collaboration with civil society as it works to modernize the legislative framework governing NGOs and enhance support systems for vulnerable communities across Saint Lucia.