The inaugural Caribbean Evaluation Space, hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank in Barbados from 1–3 September, brought Caribbean governments, evaluators, development institutions, academics and emerging professionals together around strengthening national evaluation systems, Caribbean leadership and evidence use.

Its establishment signals growing recognition that Caribbean evaluation requires sustained regional platforms—not simply occasional projects or events.

A partner in the event, the main takeaway for the CEI is  how the relationships and commitments generated through the conference can be translated into continuing professional development, stronger institutional systems and greater visibility for Caribbean evaluators. 

The opening ceremony set the stage for the 3 days. CDB President, Daniel Best explained how strong institutions are essential to helping Caribbean countries navigate an increasingly complex development landscape. 

"Today, evaluation is no longer a technical exercise conducted at the end of a project. It has become a strategic function of leadership and learning institutions," he said. "Independent evaluation is central to ensuring that institutions remain accountable for the resources entrusted to them and, more importantly, for the development results they promise to the people they serve." 

President Best noted that as Caribbean countries confront climate change, fiscal pressures, digital transformation, and shifting demographic realities, evidence-informed decision-making has become indispensable. 

"In such an environment, intuition alone is not enough. Experience alone is not enough. Good intentions are certainly not enough. We need evidence that helps us invest wisely, learn continuously, and adapt quickly," he explained. "Strong organisations are not those that never make mistakes. They are those that learn the fastest." 

Head of CDB's Office of Independent Evaluation, Dr. Roberto La Rovere, said CEvalSpace reflects a growing recognition that the Caribbean must increasingly draw on its own experience and evidence to shape development solutions. 

"What we are building is not limited to these few days together. We are creating a space where policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and emerging leaders can learn from one another, strengthen a culture of evaluation and evidence, translate knowledge into action. The Caribbean needs leaders who can ask hard questions, generate the evidence, and use it to strengthen accountability, improve performance, and build stronger institutions." 

Read more at : CDB Launches Caribbean Evaluation Space to Strengthen Regional Institutions and Advance Development Effectiveness | Caribbean Development Bank