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International Partnerships

Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is the most densely populated of the four Windwards Islands, located in the Eastern Caribbean, with a population of over 180 000 (2023). Saint Lucia continues to pursue a path of more inclusive sustainable economic development with a view to reducing high unemployment, facilitating consistent positive economic growth and enhanced poverty alleviation. However, the economy remains highly vulnerable to natural and man-made shocks, with some significant structural challenges that impact on its economic outlook.

Saint Lucia's economy has traditionally been agriculture-based, with the main exports being bananas, cocoa, vegetables, fruits and coconut oil. The country has attempted to diversify both its overall economy and agricultural production and accessing niche markets such as fair trade banana production.

    Our partnership

    The EU supports Saint Lucia towards sustainable and inclusive development, in line with the Global Gateway Strategy.

    For the Caribbean, the Samoa Agreement sets out the objectives of the Caribbean-EU partnership. EU support focuses on improving environmental sustainability and climate resilience; transitioning to a sustainable and diversified economy that supports decent jobs and growth, and promotes trade and investment; enhancing good governance, and building inclusive and secure societies where institutions are accountable, and no one is left behind.

    These objectives are taken forward in three Caribbean-EU partnerships focusing on: (1) the Green Deal, (2) economic resilience and trade, (3) governance, security and human development.

    The EU adopted a Multiannual Indicative Programme for the period 2021-27 under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe). Under that framework, the EU allocated €208  for the Caribbean region.

    Our flagship initiatives

    The Global Gateway Investment Agenda for Saint Lucia highlights areas with potential for investment projects to help address the sub-region's infrastructure needs, mainly in the following areas:

    • Climate and energy:
      • Transition to renewable energy by fostering investments in solar, wind, geothermal and green hydrogen technology.
      • Reduce the chronic water shortages and improve wastewater systems with a combination of research, innovation, technology transfer, policy development, risk protection, seed fund and bigger infrastructure projects.
      • Climate Finance: mitigating or adapting to the impacts of climate change (green finance and sustainable finance).
      • Supporting Caribbean biodiversity and fighting ocean pollution
      • Turn Sargassum algae from a threat to an economic opportunity (e.g. biofuel, water purification, agriculture)
    • Transport:
      • Improve maritime connectivity in the Caribbean to foster regional integration, economic growth and food security.
    • Health
      • Health systems resilience and the digital transformation of health facilities

     

    16 JANUARY 2024
    EU-Saint Lucia country projects
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