Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Small Island Developing States face limited capacity and resources to extend social protection to socially excluded households and introduce shock-responsiveness, whilst integrating social protection and skills development to reduce vulnerabilities and create opportunities for socio-economic inclusion. Common challenges include limited contributory social protection reach and sectoral coverage; lack of coherent and gender-responsive labour market programming; a high number of workers in the informal sector and therefore with few protections; and limited coverage and forward-looking social protection programming that accurately assesses, prevents and responds to the risks associated with climate change.

The present joint programme contributes in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and through the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission to foster sectoral collaboration and reinforce mutually reinforcing linkages between the following priority areas:
 

• Reduce vulnerabilities of households through the enhancement of social protection mechanisms (both contributory and non-contributory) so they are increasingly able to effectively prevent, withstand and respond to climatic, public health and economic-related risks and crises;
• Support access of workers in the informal economy (particularly young workers) to a package of incentives that facilitates access to social security coverage and supports the transition to formal employment;
• Empower youth to enter the labour market though access to entrepreneurship and skills development relevant to a just transition.