Sint Eustatius

Sint-Eustatius is a Dutch Overseas Country and Territory (OCT) in the Caribbean region.  Sint-Eustatius is a public entity of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, having gained this status after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in October 2010. Together with the OCTs Bonaire and Saba, it forms the Caribbean Netherlands. The population totalled 3 242 inhabitants (2022). The island’s economy relies on tourism, trade, oil storage and bunkering as well as international financial services.

The current framework of EU cooperation with Sint-Eustatius 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 sector of intervention is sustainable agriculture (EUR 2.9 million), to contribute to a healthy natural environment, ensure basic food security and create economic opportunities. It will mostly be directed to strengthen agriculture sector governance and create a conducive environment for sustainable agriculture. Given the small size of the population and the small size of any future agricultural production, any exports will be very limited and at a small scale.

The choice of supporting sustainable agriculture is in line with the goals and cooperation areas set out by the DOAG. Furthermore, sustainable agriculture is one of the top priorities of the European Commission, linked to the objectives of the Green Deal, which foresee to fight climate change and biodiversity loss and to make food systems fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly, and to Global Gateway investment priorities, especially when it comes to investment in sustainable agri-food systems. A sustainable agriculture policy will not only address the need for a more stable and continuous food supply but will also serve as a catalyst for other social and economic sectors and small business development, generating employment.

The EU (under the 11^th European Development Fund (EDF) territorial programme of EUR 2.45 million), jointly with the Netherlands, invested in the development of renewable energy with the construction of the island’s first photovoltaic plant and in the decarbonisation of its energy mix (with solar powered renewable energy production accounted for 45% of the island’s total energy in 2020 when it was 24% in 2017).

Cooperation with Sint-Eustatius is channelled mainly through the territorial cooperation programmes (11^th EDF on renewable energy and 2021-27 on sustainable agriculture).

In addition, Sint-Eustatius benefits from regional cooperation through the 11^th 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. For the period 2021-2027 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.

Sint-Eustatius is also participating in the 11^th 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.

Sint-Eustatius 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 Sint-Eustatius, can also take part in other EU funding programmes, as a matter of principle, such as TAIEX/Twinning, InvestEU, LIFE, Horizon Europe, and Erasmus+. Sint Eustatius participated to 4 ERASMUS+ project 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 in the Caribbean INTERREG programme for 2021-2027.

Finally, youth from Sint-Eustatius 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.

Council Decision on the association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the EU

Regulation establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe

OCTA report on the participation of the Overseas Countries and Territories in the European Union programmes during the period 2014-July 2020 

Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, for Suriname and with responsibility for Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Barthelemy, St Eustatius and St Maarten

OCT Youth Network

RESEMBID

Green Overseas

Interreg Caribbean