Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, a French community in North America with a population of about 5 700, saw its economic balance upset by the collapse of the fishery sector in 1993. Despite the challenges, the archipelago has been able to diversify economically while preserving its cultural heritage.
Our priorities
The cooperation of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) with the EU is governed by the Decision (EU) on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union (DAOG) adopted in 2021.
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon benefits from a territorial envelope of €27 million for the period 2021-2027 and sustainable tourism has been selected as a priority sector in the Multiannual Indicative Programme. This choice was made in view of the strategic potential of this sector to boost the local economy, while ensuring sustainable development, as well as the importance of the investments necessary for its development.
This action will address the main challenges facing the sector. These challenges are the need to improve the supply of tourist accommodation in accordance with circular economy, to overcome the structural limits inherent in the labour market, to improve energy performance, and to welcome tourists while respecting biodiversity protection requirements.
Our impact
The EU is a long-standing partner in the economic restructuring of the island. EU actions have contributed to improving the attractiveness of the territory, which has seen an increase in the number of tourists (+39%) and registered businesses (+27%), as well as a decrease in unemployment (-54%) between 2009 and 2019.
Our programmes
Previous cooperation
Approximately 20 projects related to the main objectives defined in the Strategic Development Plan of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon have been co-financed since 2006. These included infrastructure and structuring equipment projects (Goéland Dam), transport (ferries, ferry terminal, Miquelon airfield runway), sustainable tourism (Saint-Pierre and Miquelon territorial brand of exceptional islands, improvement of the tourist offer; ‘Maison de la Nature et de l'Environnement’) and support for investments by entrepreneurs (restaurants, hotels, transport).
On average, the EU has supported Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon with a budget of €4 to €5 million per year with an approximate 40% contribution of the Collectivity's investments.
Thematic Programme 2014-2020
The priority sectors in the previous programming period were sustainable energy and building resilience to climate change. The Green Overseas - GO OCT Thematic Programme (€17.8 million) successfully completed its start-up phase in 2021 and started working with beneficiaries to exchange best practices and refine areas of collaboration for pilot projects. The roll-out of activities, including technical assistance and pilot projects, will start in the second half of 2022. It will run until 2026.
In Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, with a view to improving resilience, the GO thematic programme will strengthen coastal risk prevention, particularly on the dune barrier between Miquelon and Langlade, a fragile ecosystem unique in France.
2021-2027 Programming
Building on the successes and projects already in place, the 2021-2027 program focuses on the development of sustainable tourism. In particular, the programme has 2 objectives:
- Make Saint-Pierre and Miquelon a sustainable tourist destination
- Increase the contribution of the tourism sector to the local economy
This is strongly based on the territorial development policy approved by the Collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon in its Strategic Development Plan 2010-2030, which pursues the vision of sustainable tourism as an engine of growth, in particular because of its many links and interactions with other sectors of the economy (construction, trade and services). As a cross-cutting sector, it has a significant leverage effect on the entire island ecosystem and is accompanied by a sustainable energy policy.
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon will also be eligible for the DAOG's dedicated intra-regional envelope for all OCTs for the period 2021-2027 (€15 million). Intra-regional cooperation is a key aspect of the EU's approach to the OCTs, as it fosters collaboration, in particular with neighbouring countries, outermost regions and regional organisations, through pilot actions.
Finally, young people from Saint-Pierre and Miquelon participate in the OCT Youth Network, which aims to strengthen links between young people living in the OCTs and the European Union and to improve young people's knowledge and involvement in the EU-OCT partnership.