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International Partnerships

Sint Maarten

Sint-Maarten 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 Curaçao. Sint-Maarten and the French Outermost Region Saint-Martin are sharing the smallest land mass in the world belonging to two countries. The population of the Dutch part of the island is 44 254 in 2023. Sint Maarten is a small and open island economy, with tourism being the major driver of its economic activity.

Our priorities

The current framework of EU cooperation with Sint-Maarten 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 main sector of intervention is sustainable and resilient energy (EUR 7.7 million), where the focus is on moving away from polluting diesel fuel generators towards renewable energies. Sint-Maarten is still largely dependent on fossil fuels as energy source. However, because of the unique position of this OCT, a complementary objective on cross-border cooperation is added, in continuation also of past cooperation, aiming at increasing Sint-Maarten capacities and at defining possible cross border activities in Green Deal related areas (disaster risk reduction, waste management, marine and coastal environment, eco-tourism and agriculture/fisheries) with Saint-Martin.

The choice of supporting sustainable and resilient energy as well as cross-border cooperation is in line with the goals and cooperation areas set out by the DOAG. Furthermore, sustainable, and resilient energy is one of the top priorities of the European Commission, linked to the objectives of the Green Deal and to Global Gateway investment priorities, especially when it comes to investment in clean energy. Clean, affordable, and secure energy is an essential factor for decarbonising the economy through tapping into renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. It will also enhance the role of the EU as a partner of reference for Sint-Maarten to tangibly advance on the climate action agenda.

Our action on cross-border cooperation will also encourage this OCT to work more closely with its neighbour to address common challenges and seize opportunities for joint initiatives for mutual benefit.

Our impact

The 10th and 11th European Development Fund (EDF) territorial programmes (of EUR 4.75 million and EUR 7 million) are contributing to connect thousands of households to the system in most deprived neighbourhoods and to enhance good sanitation. EU cooperation in this area has therefore an important impact on the health and quality of life of the inhabitants by reducing the risk of contaminating water supplies with pathogens and discouraging the transmission of diseases as well as on the protection of the environment by reducing the pollution of land, ocean and watercourses and the reef ecosystem degradation.

2017 Hurricane Irma, the strongest hurricane ever registered in the Atlantic Ocean, dramatically affected the people in the Caribbean region causing significant damages also in Sint-Maarten. Improving the island’s resilience and reducing the impact of natural disasters, which are getting more frequent due to climate change, has become vital for the island and its residents. EU cooperation on disaster risk management, through the 11th EDF B-envelope, is also therefore building a multi-use disaster shelter, reinforcing capacities of communities in disaster risk management, and strengthening institutional response.

Our programmes

Cooperation with Sint-Maarten is channelled mainly through the territorial cooperation programmes (which focused for the 11th EDF on sanitation, as well as a B-envelope on disaster response, preparedness, and risk management, and for the new period 2021-27 will concentrate on sustainable and resilient energy).

In addition, Sint-Maarten 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. 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-Maarten 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.

Sint-Maarten 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-Maarten, 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-Maarten with some other Dutch OCTs have become increasingly successful in Erasmus+ with an increased number of projects (38 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 INTERREG programme for 2021-2027.

Finally, youth from Sint-Maarten 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.

Documents

27 MARCH 2023
MIP 2021-2027 for Sint Maarten
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27 MARCH 2023
Regional MIP for Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories
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