Caribbean Region Oceanscape Project (CROP) Midterm Evaluation Report

The Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP) represents a major step in the important, innovative, The Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP) represents a major step in the important, innovative, long-term process aimed at developing a sustainable blue economy in the OECS region. It is a process that began a decade ago when the OECS Commission and its Member States committed themselves to set up adequate ocean governance as a requirement for the development of a blue economy in the region, within the framework of the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy (ECROP), and it is a process that will require sustained effort and significant investments over the long-term.

The Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP) represents a major step in the important, innovative, The Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP) represents a major step in the important, innovative, long-term process aimed at developing a sustainable blue economy in the OECS region. It is a process that began a decade ago when the OECS Commission and its Member States committed themselves to set up adequate ocean governance as a requirement for the development of a blue economy in the region, within the framework of the Eastern Caribbean Regional Ocean Policy (ECROP), and it is a process that will require sustained effort and significant investments over the long-term. Key to the continuity and sustainability of the processes initiated and supported by the CROP will be the project’s ability to deliver investments, with preparations for the investor roundtable that will be convened as part of the project, the provision of technical assistance to countries in the development of concepts, and the mobilisation of potential financial partners, making sure that financing initiatives, including the planned investor roundtable, consider investments at both regional and national levels. The continued involvement of theWorld Bank and other development partners will be key to the successful implementation of the plans and programmes that emerge from the CROP. It is therefore not too early to prepare the programme of work that will succeed the CROP, and preliminary work could begin on shaping such a successor programme, including follow-up work on policy, planning and data management, with a comprehensive communication strategy and plan in support of the blue economy, ocean governance and marine spatial planning in the region.