VNG launches Caribbean Desk
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG) intensify their collaboration. The VNG Caribbean Desk for the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) starts on July 1, 2024, co-financed by BZK. VNG Chairperson Sharon Dijksma and Director-general Kingdom Relations of the Ministry of BZK Roald Lapperre announced the VNG Caribbean Desk during the annual VNG congress in Groene Hart, the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Strengthening
With the launching of the VNG Caribbean Desk, VNG wants to further contribute to strengthening the support to the public entities Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The knowledge and expertise of the VNG in the area of service providing, the offering of a platform and advocating of interests will be used in the strengthening of policy, legislation and execution.
Extraordinary members
The islands are extraordinary members of the VNG, but due to their special status, they cannot make use of all services and products of the VNG. Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba indicated in meetings with the VNG and the various ministries that they can benefit from a larger access to the service providing and support of the VNG. Among other things, the VNG Caribbean Desk will support Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba to carry out a number of execution and legislation assessments.
Pilot project
The VNG Caribbean Desk will be launched as a pilot project of 1.5 years. During this period, the involved parties, including the islands, will assess in which policy areas support of the VNG is most useful for the islands and how the project can be structurally secured and financed.