On December 18, an information meeting was held at the CCISM on European programs in Saint-Martin for the period 2014-2020. The opportunity for project leaders to learn about the procedures to follow to benefit from European Union grants.
Jacques Plaisir, head of service of the Europe unit of the Prefecture of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy, explains that the day was a "communication operation on European funds but also a technical meeting with workshops that explain to project leaders precisely how Europe can help them. ”
He presented the FEDER, FSE, FEADER and FEAMP, different European funds which grant subsidies to those who wish to set up an economic development project which promotes intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth, namely innovation via research and development. , environmental protection and the energy transition as well as the fight against poverty and school exclusion.
Alain Brichler, owner of the Guesthouse "Adam and Eve" located in Orient Bay, which benefited from a grant in 2015, explained to the public present that "the steps to be taken are quite simple" since it is sufficient at first “Send an email to the relevant European fund to present your project to it. With regard to his sector, catering and hospitality, he advises to "show how your project will improve the quality of your establishment or bring leverage on your turnover". Once your request has been accepted and the budget has been calculated, you will have to "provide all the supporting documents for the work carried out" in order to obtain reimbursement of your expenses by the European Union.
Since the grants are granted to reimburse the investments made, Mr. Plaisir reassures the public by recalling that "grant advances are granted when the project owner cannot ensure its self-financing. Banks are also invited to play the game by granting credits on condition that the request of the project leader is validated by the European Union ”.
For the 2014-2020 period, the EU has allocated € 76 million to Saint Martin to achieve its development objectives, including € 10 million for cooperation projects with Sint Maarten. It should be remembered that Saint-Martin, like Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana, Mayotte and Réunion, is one of the regions considered to be lagging behind in development by the EU since the GDP there is less than 75% of the Community average.
Project leaders have until December 31, 2020 to apply for a grant from one of the European Union funds.
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