Jamaica – Legal Reform and Advocacy for Inclusive Economic Participation

The Jamaica interventions focused on formalising the social enterprise sector and strengthening women’s representation in creative industries. One intervention developed a draft Social Enterprise Legal Status Act and strategies for marketing and resource mobilisation, another supported administrative reforms and capacity building for implementation, and the third worked with JBDC to enhance structures for women’s participation in cultural and creative industries.

• Supported the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and the Planning Institute of Jamaica to develop a Draft Legal Status Act for Social Enterprises, along with a Marketing Strategy and Resource Mobilisation Plan.
• Delivered further technical assistance to support implementation, including administrative reform documents, a policy and procedural manual, an updated Social Return on Investment tool, and a Gender-Sensitive Investment Readiness Checklist.
• Trained institutions and intermediaries to strengthen capacity for sector support.
• Partnered with JBDC to strengthen advocacy for women in the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) through a landscape review, strategy development, public-private dialogue, and an implementation plan.
• Produced a coordination manual and trained stakeholders to lead future advocacy efforts.

• Enabled legal recognition and improved access to procurement and investment opportunities for social enterprises.
• Strengthened institutional capacity and coordination to support inclusive sector growth.
• Enhanced representation and advocacy structures for women in CCIs, addressing fragmentation, gender gaps, and limited access to creative spaces and markets.
• Laid the foundation for stronger collective action and policy engagement in Jamaica’s creative economy.