BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has announced its support for the 2nd Biennial Community Development Partnership Forum & Exhibition (CDPF-II), which will bring together 400 delegates for discussions on driving development through community partnerships in the Caribbean Region from July 5th to 8th in Trinidad and Tobago. Participants include Ministers of Government from across the Region, policymakers, private sector stakeholders, members of the community and civil society organisations, and development partners, including CDB. The Bank is a committed supporter of CDPF-II, having agreed to provide funding that will facilitate the participation of representatives of Ministerial Delegations from CDB' Borrowing Member Countries and Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) implementing agency staff. CDB will be represented by Deidre Clarendon, Division Chief, Social Sector Division and Darran Newman Belgrave, Portfolio Manager, BNTF. “CDB continues to build strategic partnerships to drive transformative community development in the Caribbean Region. Through CDPF-II, we have the opportunity to discuss with key stakeholders the issues and challenges of implementing community-based programmes, and to explore solutions for reducing poverty in Caribbean communities. Community participation and local ownership help strengthen the impact of our investments; we've seen this evidenced in the projects we implement through the Basic Needs Trust Fund," said Deidre Clarendon, Division Chief, Social Sector Division at CDB. The BNTF is a CDB grant-funded programme that contributes to poverty reduction in targeted communities in 10 countries, by providing infrastructure and livelihood enhancement services. The Fund drives cooperation and agreements between community-based organisations, representative local government, village councils, consultants and contractors, small businesses and ministries and other development partners. During CDPF-II, CDB representatives will hear firsthand of the tried and tested implementation modalities in community-driven development in the region as community and civil society organisations, practitioners and professionals share experiences and knowledge on their community-based development initiatives. The event includes sessions and workshops spanning hot-button topics in community development such as Sustainable Community-based Food Production/Agriculture, Sustainable Community-based Tourism and Public-Private-Community Partnerships for Community Entrepreneurship and Innovation. CDPF-II is an initiative of the Ministry of Community Development, Trinidad and Tobago and takes place at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre, Port of Spain.