[{"bbox": [85, 154, 1144, 239], "category": "Text", "text": "This Action will also build on the results achieved by the 11th EDF territorial programme in the energy sector, which enabled the development of renewable energy and provided a more enabling environment to support agriculture and the manufacturing and packaging industry."}, {"bbox": [85, 257, 330, 282], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1.2 Territorial context"}, {"bbox": [85, 298, 1144, 482], "category": "Text", "text": "Sint Eustatius, known locally as Statia, is an island situated in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. The island has a land area of 21 km³ and a population of 3,139 (2020). The island's economy relies predominantly on tourism, trade, oil storage and bunkering as well as international financial services as the most important sectors. Although the socio-economic situation of Sint Eustatius is characterised by a high per capita gross domestic product (USD 39 500 (2020), approximately EUR 35 300), a considerable degree of poverty still exists. This is due to a substantial inequality in the distribution of income, as well as a general lack of economic diversification. Sint Eustatius had a Gini coefficient of 0.43 in 2019."}, {"bbox": [85, 522, 1144, 656], "category": "Text", "text": "In February 2018, the island council was dissolved and relieved of its duties. As a result, a government commissioner was appointed by the central Dutch government and has been governing the administration since. With a view to gradually return its original duties to the island council, the executive council and the governor, the Restoration Act of July 2020 proposed a reform and transition plan divided into four phases leading to end the administrative intervention in September 2024."}, {"bbox": [85, 695, 1144, 851], "category": "Text", "text": "Sint Eustatius faces challenges that are common to the Caribbean islands. These include an over-dependency on imports compounded by a lack of adequate competitiveness, weak economic integration with neighbouring islands, needs to safeguard the environment and foster resilience and, vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events. In addition, as a biodiversity hotspot, the Caribbean Netherlands are characterised by rich ecosystems that are under pressure, especially coral reefs. Erosion and invasive species are also among the main concerns of Sint Eustatius."}, {"bbox": [85, 870, 1144, 1056], "category": "Text", "text": "Despite its small size and dry climate, Sint Eustatius used to be a land of agriculture. In the past, the island was a major regional commercial hub because it produced and processed cotton, sugarcane and tobacco. Other crops were grown as well, and fisheries and husbandry were also profitable sectors. Before declining, agriculture was a sustainable source of income for the inhabitants and important in terms of livelihoods. Today, the agriculture sector is mainly informal and lacks attractiveness. It is often associated with difficult working conditions, gender imbalance, low revenues and the colonial past. The neighbouring island of Saint Kitts and Nevis showcases that it is possible for a small island to increase and diversify its agricultural production."}, {"bbox": [85, 1074, 294, 1099], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1.3 Strategic context"}, {"bbox": [85, 1114, 1144, 1340], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action is fully aligned with the Green Deal and its Farm to Fork Strategy. Sustainable Agriculture in Sint Eustatius will ensure food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, reduce the island's environmental and climate footprint and provide opportunities for local operators in the different segments of the food value chain. It will also contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, mainly the Sustainable Development Goal 2 'End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture'. The Action will contribute to the extent possible to the Gender Action Plan of the EU (GAPIII 2021-2025)⁸, especially its key area of engagement 'Addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities offered by the green transition and the digital transformation'."}, {"bbox": [85, 1359, 1144, 1501], "category": "Text", "text": "By improving the connectivity and sustainable growth of Sint Eustatius, the Action on sustainable agriculture will increase its potential as gateway towards its neighbours. There is the potential for Sint Eustatius to export some of the agricultural production as well as sharing its experience on sustainable agriculture to its neighbours. Ultimately, the Action will have an impact on people, women and men, especially those in vulnerable situations, by improving their living conditions."}, {"bbox": [85, 1519, 1144, 1575], "category": "Text", "text": "From a biodiversity perspective, nature-inclusiveness is key in the approach taken by the Vision on Sustainable Agriculture. Nature inclusive agriculture aims to maintain, strengthen, make use of functional agrobiodiversity"}, {"bbox": [85, 1620, 895, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁸ https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-01/join-2020-17-final_en.pdf"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1657, 1144, 1682], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 24"}]