EUR 19 million in European funds to step up cross-border co-operation between French Guiana and neighbouring countries in the Amazon

01 December 2015

Yesterday, the European Commission approved a new cross-border cooperation programme for the 2014-2020 period between the outermost region of French Guiana, Suriname and the states of Amapá and Amazonas in Brazil. The programme's total budget is over EUR 28 million, of which EUR 19 million is from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The programme focuses on four strategic priorities in the fields of transport, the environment, health and the development of e

The programme focuses on four strategic priorities in the fields of transport, the environment, health and the development of enterprises on the regional market:

Improving the transport available within the cooperation area in order to increase mobility in this part of Amazonia, in particular through the establishment of a new, higher-capacity ferry on the Maroni river to provide a road link between French Guiana and Suriname.

Protecting and promoting biodiversity and the natural and cultural heritage of the region, through joint environmental conservation measures. Pilot schemes to restore biodiversity after mining operations, and specific actions to protect the flora, fauna and environments in shared or adjacent spaces are planned.

Tackling health and social issues by continuing scientific and health cooperation, particularly when it comes to the fight against HIV and vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever, the development of remote medicine (telemedicine), the establishment of preventive health projects, shared training schemes and exchanges of medical personnel.

Developing trade in key sectors such as agri-food, renewable energies, information and communication technologies, ecotourism and projects to bring about better mutual awareness of markets and of joint training schemes for entrepreneurs.

The results expected from these investments include:

Doubling the number of passengers (currently nearly 12 000) and tripling the number of vehicles (currently 7 800) crossing the Maroni by ferry each year,
Establishing international bus connections, in particular creating a link between Cayenne and Macapá in Brazil,
Strengthening the fight against pollution at gold mining sites,
Substantially increasing trade between French Guiana and the neighbouring territories.

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