Innovation, Digital Government Transformation and Changing Mindsets in the Caribbean SIDS (2024 - 2027)

01 January 2024

About the Project

Implemented by UN DESA and ECLAC Caribbean Headquarters, with the collaboration of the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD), this project aims to strengthen public sector national capacities for Innovation, Digital Government Transformation and Changing Mindsets in three Caribbean SIDS by: (i) strengthening public servants’ skills, knowledge, and understanding of the importance of public sector transformation by promoting changing mindsets strategies and approaches in support of innovation and digital transformation to support the implementation of the SDGs; and (ii) strengthening institutional arrangements, structures, mechanisms and approaches to promote innovation and digital governance transformation to improve public service delivery, leaving no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first. In this regard, multi-island jurisdictions are likely to especially benefit from improved governance and institutional service delivery modalities.

Promoting innovation and digital transformation in the Caribbean can help countries to ‘build back better’ by delivering services in a more effective and inclusive way, particularly to underserved, rural, physically disconnected, and otherwise marginalized segments of society.

Through workshops and focus groups, the project has contributed so far to an enhanced understanding by government officials of the importance of changing mindsets to support an environment conducive to innovation and digital transformation in the public sector, thus contributing to improved service delivery.

Objective:
To enhance the capacities of government officials to promote new mindsets needed in support of digital transformation and innovation and changing mindsets for stronger public institutions, to ensure the benefits of improved service delivery and leave no one behind, in particular vulnerable groups, thus substantially contributing to support the implementation of the SDGs.

Beneficiaries:
Direct beneficiaries include high – and mid-level government officials from ministries and government institutions at the national, regional, and local level. Indirect beneficiaries include the citizens and communities at large, including vulnerable groups.

Caribbean SIDS Project Overview

About the Project:
Implemented by UN DESA and ECLAC Caribbean Headquarters, with the collaboration of the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD), this project aims to strengthen public sector national capacities for Innovation, Digital Government Transformation and Changing Mindsets in three Caribbean SIDS by: (i) strengthening public servants’ skills, knowledge, and understanding of the importance of public sector transformation by promoting changing mindsets strategies and approaches in support of innovation and digital transformation to support the implementation of the SDGs; and (ii) strengthening institutional arrangements, structures, mechanisms and approaches to promote innovation and digital governance transformation to improve public service delivery, leaving no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first. In this regard, multi-island jurisdictions are likely to especially benefit from improved governance and institutional service delivery modalities.

Beneficiaries:
Direct beneficiaries include high- and mid-level government officials from ministries and government institutions at the national, regional, and local level. Indirect beneficiaries include the citizens and communities at large, including vulnerable groups.

Regional and national workshops on Innovation and Digital Government for Public Service Delivery based on the Curriculum on Governance training toolkits helping stakeholders from the selected countries assess how their government institutions support service delivery by examining the innovation challenges and opportunities. The workshops will help them to design a roadmap and action plan to identify priorities for innovation and digital inclusion in the public sector.
Country or regional specific workshops will include topics such as digital services through omni channel modalities, e-participation, measuring digital inclusion in the public sector, Design Thinking, Agile Methods in Government, and Innovation Labs.
Support the self-assessment by each selected country of their digital governance readiness level based on the Digital Government Capability Assessment (DGCA) developed by UN DESA.
Workshops with universities and institutes of administration in the region (hybrid mode) on strategies for upskilling and reskilling of the public sector for digital transformation and inclusive digital access to services.
Regional and national workshops on Changing Mindsets in public institutions to present the topic’s importance to government decision makers as well as other relevant stakeholders.
Prepare training materials for national substantive training in support of the design and implementation of strategic action plans engaging schools of public administration and other relevant actors.
Development of at least one online course to support knowledge of principles of digital transformation and methods of innovation in the public service.

Outcome 1: By 2026, policy makers in selected Caribbean SIDS have an enhanced understanding of the importance of digital transformation and innovation of public service delivery.

Outcome 2: By 2026, policy makers in selected Caribbean countries have strengthened capacities to develop institutional reform and tailored capacity building plans for digital transformation and innovation of public service delivery.

Indicators of Achievement:
Outcome 1:
1. At least two out of the three countries design a roadmap and action plan for inclusion of innovation and digital inclusion in the public sector.
2. At least two out of the three countries agree to adopt mechanisms in the public sector that promote the use of strategies such as the provision of digital services through omni channel modalities, e-participation, digital inclusion in the public sector, Design Thinking, Agile Methods in Government, and Innovation Labs.

Indicators of Achievement Outcome 2:
1. At least 2 out of the 3 project target countries have implemented trainings or knowledge management practices aimed at strengthening the capacity of civil servants to support innovation and digital transformation approach to SDG implementation.
2. At least 2 out of the 3 project target countries adopt a strategic action plan aimed at changing mindsets in the public sector for innovation and digital transformation.

The Caribbean Innovation in Government Community of Practice connects institutions and experts, government officials, academics, civil society organizations, and practitioners working in promoting innovation in the public sector. It aims to identify and showcase initiatives that are transforming governance, advancing social inclusion, fostering integrity, and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Updates and Next Steps

Regional

Webinar Series on “Innovation, Digital Government and Changing Mindsets for Public Sector Transformation” , 21 and 28 February 2024; 20 and 27 March 2024. The webinar series brought together innovative practices and thought leadership. The mindsets necessary to accelerate the implementation of digital government to improve the delivery of public services to citizens were discussed. The framework of the project was introduced.
Caribbean Regional Forum on Governance Innovation: The Future of Governance, New Mindsets, and Innovative Digital Transformation for Inclusive and People-Centered Public Services. Coming soon.

Webinar Series on “Innovation, Digital Government and Changing Mindsets for Public Sector Transformation”

The webinar series brought together innovative practices and thought leadership. The mindsets necessary to accelerate the implementation of digital government to improve the delivery of public services to citizens were discussed. The framework of the project was introduced.
Participants learned about the changes that are required at different levels (individual, organizational, and institutional) to successfully change mindsets. They also gained insights from country experiences to inspire and guide their actions to address the challenges of implementing innovation and digital public services in their contexts.

UNEN Futures and Foresight Policy Brief: GOVERNANCE FUTURES
The UN Economist Network has released a new Futures and Foresight Policy Brief on Governance Futures: Key Insights and Policy Implications.

This Policy Brief examines the limitations of current governance systems and proposes alternative models to address complex challenges and leverage emerging opportunities. It analyzes key drivers of change across political, economic, social, technological, and environmental domains, and explores their interlinkages and potential impacts on governance by the year 2040.
Policy Brief on Governance Futures in the Caribbean region
A Policy Brief on Governance Futures in the Caribbean region was produced based on the insights shared by the participants. Through the lens of strategic foresight, the Brief identifies and analyzes key drivers of change—political, economic, social, technological, and environmental—and considers how these forces may reshape governance by 2040. The Brief presents a range of transformational scenarios, their interconnections, and a shared vision for resilient, inclusive, and future-ready governance in Caribbean SIDS.

The Bahamas

Based on the UN Quintet of Change, in-person workshops on Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation (March 2025) for Permanent Secretaries, Director Generals, senior officials, and Heads of Agencies examined strategies to promote mindset change across individual, organizational, and institutional levels. Topics included strategic foresight, data governance, digital transformation (including AI and Smart Cities), and transformational leadership, presented by CARICAD, ECLAC, and DESA experts.

Participants learned what changes are required at different levels to successfully change mindsets, how innovation and foresight mindsets can be applied, and how to address challenges in promoting innovation and implementing digital public services in their contexts.

Advisory Mission to the Bahamas, 20 - 21 August 2024
Interactive conversations with over 40 government officials, union leaders, and academics allowed for open and frank conversations on the gaps, challenges, as well as opportunities to advance an environment supportive of innovation and digital transformation in the Bahamian public service were held. The meetings fostered extensive discussion on key issues, challenges, priorities, and opportunities for changing mindsets in support of innovation and digital transformation in The Bahamas, providing sound and innovative advice to government officials and other relevant stakeholders, on the importance of changing mindsets for innovation and digital transformation for long-term institutional development and services provision.
Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation | Public Institutions
On 24 March 2025, 10 Permanent Secretaries of the Government of The Bahamas learned about the importance of changing mindsets, the public sector transformation schema, and harnessing the potential of AI to create public value. Between 25–26 March 2025, 40 General Directors and senior government officials participated in a hands-on workshop, gaining knowledge and discussing The Quintet of Change and Key Mindsets and Competencies Needed for Governance Transformation, public sector schema, and adopting AI to advance digital government transformation. Participants developed action plans for changing mindsets and competencies and discussed strategies for implementation.
Key Messages Bahamas Workshop (PDF)

Advisory Mission (2024)

The interactive conversations with over 40 government officials, union leaders, and academics allowed for open and frank conversations on the gaps, challenges, as well as opportunities to advance an environment supportive of innovation and digital transformation in the Bahamian public service.
The meetings fostered extensive discussion on key issues, challenges, priorities, and opportunities for changing mindsets in support of innovation and digital transformation in The Bahamas, providing sound and innovative advice to government officials and other relevant stakeholders, on the importance of changing mindsets for innovation and digital transformation for long-term institutional development and services provision.
The UNDESA/ECLAC/CARICAD team discussed a preliminary assessment, analyzed gaps and challenges, identified opportunities and options to improve changing mindsets for innovation and digital transformation; and discussed The Bahamas National Development Plan and how it relates to public sector modernization.

Workshop: Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation (March 2025)

Learned about the changes that are required at different levels (individual, organizational, and institutional) to successfully change mindsets.
Learned how new mindsets, such as innovation and foresight mindsets, can be directly applied at the individual, organization, and institutional level.
Gained insights to inspire and guide their actions to address the challenges of promoting innovation in the public sector and of implementing digital public services in their contexts.
Link to survey: Survey Results (24–26 March 2025) – PDF

The UN Resident Coordinator Office | United Nations in Jamaica - https://jamaica.un.org/en/about/about-the-resident-coordinator-office

Barbados

In November 2024, the Government of Barbados officially requested inclusion as a project beneficiary. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of changing mindsets in the public sector to support innovation and transformation, including leveraging digital technologies.

In May 2025, a regional Capacity Development Workshop on “The Future of Governance: Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation” convened over 64 senior government officials from 16 Caribbean SIDS. Participants validated critical drivers of change, developed future governance scenarios, and agreed on a vision statement for governance in the Caribbean region.

Attendees explored innovation, data, digital governance, and foresight mindsets; prioritized needs; formulated short- and long-term implementation plans; and strengthened regional collaboration. An informal peer-to-peer learning network was proposed.

Capacity Development Training of Trainers Workshop on “Changing Mindsets for Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Improved Public Service Delivery for the Implementation of Mission Barbados and the Sustainable Development Goals” , 21 – 24 October 2025 in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Workshop on “Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation” in Barbados , 23 October 2025.
The workshop on Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation sought to explore practices and approaches to support changing mindsets for innovation and digital transformation of public services, different mindsets, the role of changed mindsets, and capacity building strategies (aimed not only at the public sector but society as a whole) to support this transformation. The Workshop built on the results and key messages of the capacity development workshop held in Barbados in May 2025, which highlighted the importance of senior leadership involvement at the Permanent Secretaries level to ensure long-term sustainability of the public sector reforms sought to transform public service delivery, making it more innovative, effective, and inclusive.

Capacity Development Workshop on “The Future of Governance: Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation”

Learned about mindsets needed for public sector transformation, such as innovation, data, digital governance, and foresight mindsets.
Prioritized needs and formulated actionable improvements to successfully change mindsets at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels.
Developed a short-term and long-term implementation plan for their respective institutions.
Learned about drivers of change for the future of governance and ways to apply strategic foresight and futures thinking to public sector decision-making.
Gained insights to inspire and guide actions to address the challenges of promoting innovation in the public sector and implementing digital public services in their contexts.
Strengthened collaboration with public-sector leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders across the Caribbean.
Launched an informal peer-to-peer learning network.

The United Nations in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean - https://easterncaribbean.un.org/en/about/our-team?_gl=1*1vrafnj*_ga*MTE5MTA0OTQ3LjE3MTcwMTQxMzQ.*_ga_TK9BQL5X7Z*czE3NTkxNzczODQkbzI1JGcwJHQxNzU5MTc3Mzg0JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..

Saint Lucia

With the support of the Department for Public Sector Modernization, three workshops were organized in Saint Lucia. In August 2024, a workshop on UNDESA’s Digital Government Capabilities Assessment and Changing Mindsets identified key priorities and opportunities for digital transformation.

In April 2025, two workshops were held—one for Permanent Secretaries and another for Director Generals and senior officials—focusing on mindsets conducive to innovation and transformation, strategic foresight, data governance, digital transformation (including AI and Smart Cities), and transformational leadership.

Participants gained insights on promoting innovation, reforming regulatory frameworks, and implementing digital public services in their contexts.

Capacity Development Workshop on Changing Mindsets in Saint Lucia for Innovation and Digital Transformation | Public Institutions
The first exploratory visit and capacity development workshop in the framework of this project was held in Saint Lucia in August 2024. It allowed for open conversations on the gaps, challenges, and opportunities to advance an environment supportive of innovation and digital transformation in the Saint Lucian public service. 52 participants strategized and updated Saint Lucia’s Digital Transformation Strategy, and enhanced capacity to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation | Public Institutions
The workshop explored practices and approaches to support changing mindsets for innovation and digital transformation of public services. Key competencies for governance transformation, including systems thinking and strategic foresight, data and digital governance, and innovation were presented. The CARICAD public sector schema for innovation and its implications for public sector transformation was presented. Harnessing the potential of AI to create public value in the Caribbean, including through 'Smart Cities' was shared by ECLAC, along with a digital skills assessment. 40 Saint Lucian senior government officials conducted an action planning exercise to promote new mindsets and competencies, as well as discussed strategies for implementation. Key messages, outcomes and commitments
Training of Trainers: A Training of Trainers will be organized in Saint Lucia to equip the government training institutes’ trainers on the use of the Curriculum on Governance for the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toolkits (Curriculum on Governance for the SDGs) to help them train their public servants with innovative mindsets and behaviors to better address current and future challenges related to SDG implementation.
Webinar on “Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation”
The Webinar on Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation seeks to explore practices and approaches to support changing mindsets for innovation and digital transformation of public services, different mindsets, the role of changed mindsets and capacity building strategies (aimed not only to the public sector but society as a whole), to support this transformation. Geared to Permanent Secretaries and their key staff, it examined the relevance of adopting new mindsets to accelerate innovation and the implementation of digital government to improve the delivery of public services to citizens. By changing our mindset, we can leverage the potential of emerging technologies and foster a culture of innovation and resilience and respond to the needs and expectations of our citizens.

Scoping Mission (August 2024)

Several meetings with the UN RCO Country Coordinator, key government officials (including Permanent Secretaries), government officials, and academia.
The UNDESA/ECLAC/CARICAD team and the UN Country Coordinator met with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of the Public Service and the Director for Public Sector Modernization to discuss projects and programmes that can support changing mindsets for innovation and digital transformation, considering siloed experiences, the Future of Government, public sector modernization, and leveraging training-of-trainers approaches.

First Workshop (August 2024): Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Digital Transformation

Fostered extensive discussion on key issues, challenges, priorities, and opportunities for changing mindsets in support of innovation and digital transformation in Saint Lucia, providing sound and innovative advice to government officials and other stakeholders.
Discussed a preliminary assessment, analyzed gaps and challenges, and identified opportunities and options to improve changing mindsets for innovation and digital transformation utilizing UNDESA’s Digital Government Capabilities Assessment (part of the Innovation and Digital Government toolkit).
Discussed Saint Lucia’s draft digital transformation strategy and how it relates to public sector modernization.
Allowed government officials to strategize and agree on key priorities for inclusion and updating of Saint Lucia’s Digital Transformation Strategy.

Second Activity (Webinar for Permanent Secretaries – April 2025)

Increased awareness and fostered a shift in mindsets essential for innovation and digital transformation of public services.
Participants learned about the changes required at individual, organizational, and institutional levels to successfully change mindsets.
Gained insights to inspire and guide actions to address challenges in promoting innovation and implementing digital public services in their contexts.
Survey results: Survey results (visual) – PDF

Third Activity (23–24 April 2025): Changing Mindsets for Innovation and Public Sector Transformation

Learned about the changes required at different levels to successfully change mindsets.
Learned how new mindsets (e.g., innovation and foresight) can be directly applied at the individual, organizational, and institutional levels.
Gained insights to address the challenges of promoting innovation and implementing digital public services in their contexts.
Learned about strategies and experiences in reforming regulatory frameworks in support of innovation and public sector transformation.
Survey results: Survey results_graphics.docx (link forthcoming)