Curaçao is a Dutch Overseas Country and Territory (OCT) and one of the three constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean region together with Aruba and Sint Maarten. Curaçao is an island with a population of 148 925 (2023). The tourism sector is the major economic pillar.
Our priorities
The current framework of EU cooperation with Curaçao is set in the Decision on the Overseas Association including Greenland (DOAG) adopted on 5 October 2021, which aims to support the government in its efforts to promote sustainable development.
For the 2021-2027 period, the only sector of intervention is water management and sanitation (EUR 18.6 million), where the focus is on improving water management and in increasing access to sustainable sanitation. The government plans to create an integrated water resource management plan, to better manage all water resources, including wastewater, rainwater, water-demand side and supporting regulation and legislation.
The choice of water management and sanitation is in line with the goals and cooperation areas set out by the DOAG. Furthermore, water management and sanitation are top priorities of the European Commission, linked to the objectives of the Green Deal and the Global Gateway investment priorities, especially when it comes to investment in clean and green infrastructures.
Our impact
The 10th and 11th European Development Fund (EDF) territorial programmes (of EUR 11.25 million and EUR 16.95 million) enable the development of urban infrastructure projects (mainly on street lightening, parks, football pitch, paved streets, and sewage) in some of the most socially deprived neighbourhood of Curaçao. This valuable partnership was very well received with a strong ownership of the inhabitants and local neighbourhood organisations. Our joint cooperation resulted in important and sustainable impacts by strongly improving the quality lives of the inhabitants.
Our programmes
Cooperation with Curaçao is channelled mainly through the territorial cooperation programmes (which focused on resilient infrastructures in the past and on water and sanitation for the period 2021-27).
In addition, Curaçao benefits from regional cooperation through the 11th EDF Caribbean regional programme RESEMBID (EUR 42.67 million) on resilience, sustainable energy, and marine biodiversity and from the 2021-2027 Caribbean regional programme (EUR 21 million) on the sustainable management of Caribbean OCT’s natural capital. The regional Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Caribbean OCTs was adopted in November 2022. The focus will be the strategic themes of intervention of biodiversity, water management and food security.
Curaçao is also participating in the 11th EDF all-OCTs thematic programme (Green Overseas-GO, EUR 17.8 million) on sustainable energy and enhanced resilience to climate change. The programme will finance technical assistance, studies, pilot projects and trainings for the beneficiaries individually and in thematic clusters.
Curaçao will also be eligible for the DOAG’s dedicated intra-regional envelop for all OCTs and for the period 2021-2027 (EUR 15 million). Intraregional cooperation is a vital aspect of the EU's approach to OCTs, as it promotes closer ties and collaboration notably with neighbouring countries, outermost regions, and regional organisations through pilot actions.
OCTs, including Curaçao, can also take part in other EU funding programmes, as a matter of principle, such as TAIEX/Twinning, InvestEU, LIFE, Horizon Europe, and Erasmus+. Curaçao with some other Dutch OCTs have become increasingly successful in Erasmus+ with an increased number of projects (22 projects during the period 2014-2020). OCTs can also benefit from the thematic part and rapid response actions of the NDICI as well from the Humanitarian Aid Instrument. Caribbean OCTs can also participate to the Caribbean Area INTERREG programme for 2021-2027.
Finally, youth from Curaçao are participating in the OCT-Youth Network which aims to increase the ties between young people living in OCTs and the European Union and enhance the knowledge and involvement of young people in the EU-OCT partnership.