The Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Awareness Campaign launched in St. Vincent and Grenadines is a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey. The campaign, which is a key component of the World Bank-funded Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) was developed collaboratively by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).

The six-month public awareness campaign is a coordinated regional effort, being simultaneously rolled out in four OECS territories including Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Its primary goal is to empower these populations with the knowledge and tools needed to safely navigate the increasingly digital world. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the third country to launch the Campaign, following St. Lucia and Dominica on 26 and 28 August 2025, respectively.

Speaking at the launch on 2 September 2025, at the National Insurance Services (NIS) Conference Room in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ms. Nadine Bushell, Assistant Director – Projects, CARICOM IMPACS, said the Campaign was a people-centred, regionally coordinated programme, fully aligned with the goals of the CARICOM Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Action Plan (CCSCAP).

“This new Public Awareness Campaign is not just another series of posters or social media messages. It is designed to be the foundation of our collective digital resilience,” she said.

Ms. Bushell explained that in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the newly launched campaign was especially vital due to the growing landscape of digital threats and the need for a more digitally aware population.

“Financial crimes are a major concern, with scams ranging from phishing emails impersonating local institutions to online lottery and cryptocurrency schemes. Beyond financial loss, the country is seeing a rise in cases of sextortion and online coercion, which disproportionately harm vulnerable individuals, while the widespread use of platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp has fueled an increase in cyberbullying and online harassment” she lamented.

She added that these challenges were not just headlines, but reminders of why collective effort matters, and why public awareness, which is also the first priority of the CCSCAP, is the foundation for stronger infrastructure, better laws and deeper international cooperation.

Mr. Winston George, Project Manager, CARDTP – St. Vincent and the Grenadines, declared the launch was not just an event, but part of a wider movement to secure the Region’s digital future.

“We are living in an era where digital technology touches every aspect of our lives. From education to business, from healthcare to government services, our economies and societies depend on the integrity and safety of our online systems. Yet these opportunities also come with new risks including cybercrime, data theft, misinformation and online exploitation. These are not distant threats, they are present and real challenges facing our communities, families and citizens everyday”, he warned.

Mr. George said the Campaign was timely and essential as it will foster a culture of digital safety and resilience, empowering people with the capacity to protect themselves online. “By raising awareness and equipping citizens, businesses and institutions with good practices, we can collectively reduce vulnerabilities and build stronger, safer digital societies”, he noted.

The Honourable Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Information Technology, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, reiterated the government’s commitment to the broader national digital transformation agenda and underscored the importance of cybersecurity. He added that robust legal and regulatory frameworks were also essential to protect citizens from the growing threats posed by cybercrime.

“A successful digital economy relies not just on technology, but on the public’s trust and ability to navigate digital platforms securely. While technology is a key driver of progress, its success depends on a digitally-literate and security-conscious population,” he emphasised.

He said this initiative, as part of the wider CARDTP, was a fundamental pillar of the country’s journey towards a more resilient and inclusive digital future.