From November 17 to 21, 2025, a delegation of program partners COREOOM – Regional Cooperation in Overseas Territories She traveled to Guadeloupe and Martinique to meet with the winning associations of the first call for projects, the local AFD agencies, and to exchange ideas with the stakeholders involved in and supporting regional cooperation. This highly informative mission confirmed the growing momentum of international solidarity in the French West Indies.
A delegation mobilized to listen, share and understand
Composed of representatives from the French Development Agency (AFD), the NGO La Guilde, and the Guadeloupe Multi-Stakeholder Regional Network Karib Horizon, the delegation alternated between bilateral and group meetings with a diverse range of stakeholders to review ongoing projects, understand the challenges encountered, and identify future prospects for the CORÉOM program. A highlight of the trip was a "cooperation breakfast" organized in Fort-de-France by Karib Horizon, bringing together associations, local authorities, and institutions to discuss current issues related to cooperation across the Caribbean.
Stéphanie Gaymard with the participating associations at the cooperation breakfast - Martinique
Projects rooted in the heart of the Caribbean
The meetings in Guadeloupe and Martinique* highlighted inspiring initiatives, driven by stakeholders deeply convinced of the value of regional cooperation. Their projects, addressing themes of regional interest—preservation of intangible cultural heritage, environmental education, biodiversity protection, and raising awareness of gender issues—concretely illustrate the potential of strengthened ties with neighboring countries.
- ACP Environment (Guadeloupe) – Raising awareness among young people about Caribbean biodiversity
With "Karibiodiv Dominica", ACP-Environment (Guadeloupe) is mobilizing its experience in creating interactive educational tools and educational actions alongside its Dominican partners to develop a program to educate and raise awareness among young people about the richness of Caribbean biodiversity and the need to preserve fragile ecosystems in island contexts.
- Zofi (Martinique) – Promoting intangible cultural heritage
The projectAn ban la mè: What binds us»This initiative generates inter-island dynamics between Martinique, Dominica, and Saint Lucia, based on training, artistic residencies, and professional exchanges. Led in partnership with Le labo des histoires and La Station Culturelle, it aims to facilitate access for young Caribbean artists and cultural professionals to training, dissemination, and development opportunities.
- Caribbean Cetacean Society (Martinique) – Protecting cetaceans on a regional scale
Through its multi-stakeholder approach, the CCS aims to strengthen knowledge and protection of cetaceans in the Caribbean, with the long-term ambition of creating a "blue corridor" for migration. Its project Dolphin Pani Frontiers proposes a comprehensive response combining scientific research, citizen awareness and support for institutions in setting up regional governance tools at the scale of the Lesser Antilles.
- Konbit (Martinique) – Fighting against sexist and sexual violence through theatre
Deployed in Saint Lucia, the project X=Y Theater It uses the Theatre of the Oppressed method as a lever for social transformation. With a next phase already planned in Dominica, the project ultimately aims to create a regional cooperation network to address issues of gender equality and gender-based violence.
Support recognized as a major lever
The winning associations unanimously praised the individualized support offered by CORÉOM, provided in the Atlantic Ocean region by the Emergence Caribéenne association. This support, mobilized both during project development and implementation, is seen as a genuine added value, complementing the financial assistance. The latter is further enhanced by the group training and facilitation activities offered in partnership with Karib Horizon, providing real opportunities for skills development open to all organizations wishing to engage in international solidarity.
Dynamics of cooperation that offer promising prospects
The mission thus confirmed a strong trend: international cooperation is generating considerable interest in the Caribbean and attracting a growing number of actors. It also reiterated the Caribbean's fundamental capacity to connect local realities with global challenges. This message was echoed during the morning session. KozéESS organized by the CRESS of the Guadeloupe Islands, during which the CORÉOM program was also presented. A promising dynamic that illustrates the potential of regional cooperation as a source of synergies, openness, and strengthened solidarity among Caribbean territories.
* The F'Kréyol association, which is leading the "Karakolor" project and was in the field at the time of the mission, could not be contacted.