Overview
Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean with a population of around 11 million. It is located in the hurricane belt and frequently suffers severe weather events. Cuba is also the largest market in the Caribbean, with the EU being its main trade partner and the main source of foreign investment.
Cuba has been a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group since 2000. The country is immersed in a process of reforms, as outlined in the Lineamientos, the Cuban government's economic and social policy guidelines.
Our partnership
As part of the Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027 and Global Gateway Strategy, the EU supports Cuba on two main priorities: ecological transition, including renewable energies and modernising the economy, including support to the emerging private sector and the biotechnological sector. EU cooperation with Cuba is firmly anchored in the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement and aims at improving the living conditions of the Cuban population.
Team Europe’s efforts are implemented mainly through EU Member States France, Italy and Spain. €125 million have been earmarked for cooperation with Cuba for the 2021-2027 period.
EU funding is directly transmitted to the implementing agencies in charge of the various EU projects, be it United Nations (UN) agencies, agencies of the Member States or European non-governmental organisations.
EU-Cuban partnership documents can be found in the 'Related documents' section below.
Our key initiatives
- Renewable energies
Cuba and the EU are working to support the transition towards an economic model based on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. That means focusing on a range of issues from training the new workforce to helping develop new energy solutions. Specific renewable energy projects include:
- Assisting the development of new sustainable energy and climate policies at the national and local levels.
- Helping guarantee major investments in renewable energy (RenovEn) and designing financial solutions to support the investment of EU companies in the sector
- Creating a loan and micro-credit facility for new businesses in the sustainable energy sector, while training them in business and innovation.
- Preparing feasibility studies for the construction of a wind park and biomass installation.
- Working with the Ministry of Energy and Mines, building out its capacity and increasing fundraising for the energy transition.
- Creating a network of 10 Cuban and one EU university to strengthen research in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- Unlocking investment opportunities in the sector (EUROCLIMA).
- Promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy at the local level, while supporting them materially for sustainable development and climate change adaptation.
- Biotechnolgy
Our cooperation with Cuba in biotechnology focuses primarily on health, from regional health policy to scientific partnerships. Actions include:
- Reinforcing the National Regulatory Agency’s ability to monitor the safety and usefulness of biotechnological products, in accordance with international standards.
- Working at the regional level to strengthen regulatory systems and policies.
- Strengthening cooperation across the Caribbean and Latin America in biotechnology.
- Reinforcing cooperation at the scientific and industry level on issues like public procurement competences and infectious diseases.
- Increasing the production of biotechnological products like vaccines to supply both the national public health needs and the export market
- Fight against gender violence, drugs, money laundering, and vulnerable groups discrimination
The EU works with Cuba on a range of social and human rights issues. Specific projects include:
- National implementation by civil society organisations of Gender Action Plan III to eliminate gender-based violence and improve sexual and reproductive rights.
- Support the implementation of the legal framework promoting gender rights.
- Supporting the creation of a National Observatory against Drugs to increase cooperation on the issue with Europe.
- Establishing an effective system to stop money laundering and the financing of terrorism through the FPI Global Facility.
- Consolidating the first ever Cuban Ombudsman, which will exchange expertise with European human rights institutions.
- Supporting Cuba’s integration into the network of Penitentiary Academies of Latin America and Europe, opening access to Cuban prisons to experts.
- Heritage and culture
Together, Cuba and the EU will rehabilitate the World Heritage Site in Havana – the Convento de Santa Clara, which will host the new Santa Clara College, an institution dedicated to excellence in skills development and job creation in heritage restoration and management. It will emphasise social, economic, and green dimensions in its curriculum.