Empowering locally-led development in the Caribbean: How Kobo and partners are strengthening data-informed poverty eradication efforts

Despite significant progress to promote economic and social development, 30% of the population in the Caribbean continues to live in poverty, especially in communities where climate and disaster risks are greatest and resources are most limited. Reliable, accurate data is a crucial step for advancing poverty reduction efforts and increasing resilience for vulnerable communities, but in remote and hard-to-reach areas lack of internet connectivity and other barriers often mean that those most in need are underrepresented in data collection processes. Compounding these challenges, many local organizations do not have access to the tools or training they need for data-driven programming. For the 2024 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP), Kobo joined with leading development organizations in the Caribbean and 140 local stakeholders to find solutions for this crucial data gap and to strengthen data capacities at the local level.

To support data-driven poverty reduction and sustainable development, Kobo and partners from the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) Basic Needs Trust Fund, the World Bank Geo-Enabling initiative for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) Program, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC), and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) hosted the second annual IDEP observance in Jamaica in October 2024. The event brought together nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and key stakeholders from 14 Caribbean countries for a week of collaboration and data capacity building sessions, with the goal of advancing data-informed poverty eradication, locally-led development, and economic growth for communities.

“It is through data that we can pinpoint where poverty is most entrenched, which communities are being left behind, and which groups are most at risk. Moreover, data enables us to target our interventions more effectively. It allows us to tailor our projects to addressing the unique challenges faced by different populations, ensuring our initiatives are responsive and impactful.” - Ian Durant, Vice President (Ag), Finance and Corporate Services, Caribbean Development Bank

The event included a hybrid Symposium on October 17th for the annual day of observance, featuring speakers from CDB, GEMS, UNECLAC, JSIF, and Kobo’s Chief Operating and Innovation Officer Tino Kreutzer. Attended by 140 participants, the Symposium focused on the crucial role of data for poverty eradication in the Caribbean as well as the importance of accessible data technology and strengthening local capacities to bridge the data gap.

“In order for us to achieve our goals of having economic development, we have to have accurate data.” - Omar Frith, Deputy Executive Director at the Social Development Commission

Participants shared best practices for data collection for poverty reduction programming while also highlighting the need for innovative strategies to reach marginalized communities and the benefits of investing in sustainable livelihoods, education, and health. The session also showcased how open source data technology like KoboToolbox is being leveraged to deliver targeted programming with positive outcomes for communities across the Caribbean, including GEMS’ efforts to build digital monitoring and evaluation capacities, JSIF’s use of geospatial data to identify and respond to critical poverty needs, and how CDB’s flagship poverty reduction program, the Basic Needs Trust Fund, used the insights from needs assessment data to deliver long-term solutions to help children and families break the cycle of poverty.

A central part of the four-day IDEP event was a workshop on Improved Capacity for Data Collection and Analysis for Enhanced Project Monitoring and Evaluation. Led by experts from Kobo and the GEMS team, the workshop aimed to strengthen digital data capacities and empower local organizations with the skills and tools they need to collect accurate, detailed data for informed decision-making and poverty reduction initiatives.

“With KoboToolbox on board, we would be able to collect data in a more real-time manner. We can better understand the communities and what needs to be done in terms of planning and development.” - Juanita Reid, Deputy Executive Director at the Social Development Commission

Through the in-depth and interactive capacity building sessions, participants were introduced to the GEMS Program and how to use KoboToolbox for digital data collection, monitoring, and evaluation. With the skills and knowledge gained from the workshop, participants will be better equipped to collect data on the needs of communities, respond with targeted data-informed programming, and monitor project outcomes.

“Once we listen to people and try to respond to their needs in a meaningful way, that is when development happens. KoboToolbox has enhanced the efficiency of gathering community-level data, by reducing data collection and analysis timelines, in addition to facilitating greater community interaction around survey results. As we seek to deliver more data-driven activities within our poverty reduction programs, this platform is pivotal for the approach to measure better to target better.” - Richardo Aiken, Community Development Specialist at the Caribbean Development Bank

The annual observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is an important call to action for renewed efforts to advance equitable, sustainable development and foster economic growth for the world’s most vulnerable. Looking ahead, Kobo, CDB, and GEMS along with local partners and development organizations are planning the next annual event in October 2025, which will bring together leaders and stakeholders from across the Caribbean in their shared mission of achieving better outcomes for communities through data-driven development initiatives that address the root causes of poverty and improve quality of life for everyone.