THE HAGUE – Curaçao and the other Dutch Overseas Countries and Territories are being encouraged to submit projects for European support in areas including renewable energy, maritime connectivity, digital connectivity and waste management as the European Union increases its engagement in the Caribbean.
The initiative is linked to the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and follows discussions during the OCT-EU Forum held in Aruba from April 9 to 13.
According to a letter sent to the Dutch Parliament, the European Commission has asked each Overseas Country and Territory to submit projects in several priority sectors. Maritime and digital connectivity and the energy transition are among the areas identified, while waste management was subsequently added at the request of the territories themselves.
The Dutch government says reports from the Aruba forum demonstrate increased European Commission engagement in the Caribbean. In addition to projects already being implemented under the existing OCT framework, Brussels is seeking to involve the territories more closely in Global Gateway.
For Curaçao, the initiative could provide opportunities to develop projects in sectors that already represent major policy challenges, particularly energy transition, waste management and regional connectivity.
However, the Dutch government acknowledges that one of the biggest obstacles facing the Caribbean territories is not necessarily formal eligibility for European programs, but their ability to prepare projects and navigate complicated EU funding procedures.
The relatively limited administrative capacity of the OCTs can make participation in large European programs difficult even when they are technically eligible. The Netherlands therefore wants more EU-budget support for project development and is pushing for simpler application and reporting formats adapted to the islands.
The Netherlands also wants stronger coordination among the Caribbean territories themselves.
According to the letter, work is underway to establish an EU Platform bringing together the six Dutch OCTs and the European Netherlands. The objective is to create a more structural approach to cooperation and strengthen the Kingdom’s effectiveness in Brussels.
The government also intends to strengthen support for the islands in attracting EU subsidies. The work of the existing special envoy for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba will be more specifically focused on helping those territories obtain European funding.
Meanwhile, a separate debate continues over the future relationship between the Dutch Caribbean islands and the European Union. A University of Curaçao study examining the advantages and disadvantages of OCT status compared with Outermost Region status was submitted to the Dutch Parliament on June 29.
The Dutch government plans to discuss the study with the OCTs in September and expects to send its formal response to Parliament during the fourth quarter of 2026.
The State Secretary for Kingdom Relations also plans to visit Brussels at the end of September for discussions with stakeholders about the OCT dossier and follow-up to the Aruba forum.
Together, the initiatives point toward a broader effort to ensure that Curaçao and the other Caribbean territories not only remain eligible for European financing but are better equipped to turn that eligibility into actual projects and investment.