Against a backdrop of shrinking budgets and shifting politics, Caribbean civil society leaders attending the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities’ (CVC) Regional Civil Society Forum recently, made a strong argument for forging deeper and smarter collaborations to ensure sustained impact in the HIV and human-rights response.
Executive Director of Equality for All Foundation (formerly J-FLAG), Glenroy Murray, Chair of the Jamaica Civil Society Forum Jumoke Patrick and Kwame Gilhuys from the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) were participants on a panel examining how regional civil society organisations (CSOs) can better pursue joint advocacy actions.
While participating in the discussion Equality for All Foundation Executive Director, Glenroy Murray, argued that longevity and visibility are no substitute for partnership, pointing out that it is critical for CSOs to appreciate the value of partnerships. “We understand that we can’t do everything. We don’t have the money to do everything. To the extent that we’re aware of what [partners] are doing, our work will emphasize and build on what they do,” he said, describing how his organisation’s Pride Share facility channels support to community groups and how a recent joint initiative with Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) helped them to achieve the goal of training police officers.
From the vantage point of the Jamaica Civil Society Forum, the message was just as pragmatic. The chair, Jumoke Patrick, recalled how the sector rallied after significant U.S. funding cuts earlier this year, meeting with Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness to propose a structured partnership that could keep CSOs’ doors open and services running. “What we recognize here in Jamaica is that you have to touch base with each other. You have to talk. It’s not a competition. The part of funding that is there, it may be for you today, it may be for somebody else tomorrow. But how can we share that? How can we share resources etc.?” the chair said, noting that WhatsApp group conservations, MOUs, and a clear advocacy plan helped define who leads on which issues, therefore reducing duplication and building trust amongst CSOs.
Meanwhile Guyana’s contribution to the discussion through Kwame Gilhuys from the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), underscored the power of cross-sector alliances. He highlighted the ‘Guyana Together’ campaign, designed to showcase relationships between heterosexual allies and LGBTQ+ people, while engaging the private sector. “A large part of that Guyana Together campaign is connecting with the private sector community. And I know sometimes we don’t like to work with the private sector, but working with the private sector is of big importance. We have over 150 endorsements from private sector organizations and businesses. And that has been shown as a strong collaboration for us,” he said. The SASOD representative also pointed out that ahead of national elections in Guyana, which is scheduled for early September 2025, SASOD launched its manifesto and convened a town hall with six of the seven parties contesting the polls. He shared that SASOD was able to secure political commitments from nearly all of the parties to work towards improving LGBT+ rights in the country if they win the election.
Meanwhile audience questions pushed the panel on the hard parts of partnering, pointing out issues such as power dynamics, attribution, and trust. Glenroy Murray was candid with his response pointing out that larger organizations must “check the ego at the door” and sometimes stay off the marquee so the most strategic messenger can lead, adding that sustainability includes offloading tasks to capable partners and funding smaller groups to do what they’re best placed to deliver.
Another issue highlighted during the discussion was political change management. Panelists warned that support arrangements can evaporate when governments change. Guyana’s experience with “social contracting” offered a cautionary tale with panelists arguing that civil society must nurture relationships with both government and opposition, as well as, with career technocrats who “continue” regardless of political cycles.
In closing, the panelists offered action items for CVC. Glenroy Murray urged CVC to codify and scale the kind of coordinated, strategic-litigation model that delivered results elsewhere, while turning capacity-building into institutionalized skills to help organizations sustain themselves. Jumoke Patrick cautioned against a regional echo chamber calling on stakeholders to: “Expand the space to include new people so our advocacy reaches where we want it to go.” And from Guyana came a simple priority: keep budget and policy advocacy training sessions going.
At the end of the discussion the message was clear: collaboration, not competition – because in a leaner, faster political environment, shared strategy and mutual support are not just good practice; they’re how communities win.
