Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius and Wadden Islands move toward formal E8 island coalition

KRALENDIJK--Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius are working with the five Dutch Wadden Islands to transform their growing cooperation into a more structured alliance aimed at giving small island communities a stronger collective voice in dealings with the Dutch government.

The initiative, known as E8, brings together Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius, Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. A July 29 update from Bonaire’s Executive Council shows that the eight islands are considering a gradual transition from their existing network into what could ultimately become a permanent “Island Coalition.”

Despite being separated by thousands of kilometres and operating in different geographic and social environments, the islands have identified several challenges they share because of their small size and physical separation from mainland Netherlands. These include accessibility, housing, sustainability, administrative capacity and maintaining adequate services and quality of life for residents. Earlier exchanges have also focused on the effects of tourism and the difficulties small island governments face in implementing national policies designed largely with mainland communities in mind.

The proposed cooperation would develop in three stages.

Initially, the E8 would function as a strategic network without establishing a separate legal entity. Officials and administrators would exchange knowledge, while an annual E8 conference would rotate among the islands. Working groups are envisioned in areas including good governance, housing, accessibility and sustainability. Decisions during this stage would be reached by consensus and would not be legally binding.

A second phase could take the form of a joint program similar to a Dutch Regio Deal or European funding arrangement. Under that structure, the islands could undertake projects together through a steering committee and program manager. Individual island governments and elected councils would retain authority over whether to participate in projects and commit funding.

The most developed option would establish a permanent Eilandencoalitie, or Island Coalition, based on a formal cooperation agreement or covenant. The arrangement could eventually be supported by a small legal entity, while the islands would coordinate their representation to the Dutch government and other authorities. The proposal also includes the possibility of a joint public-affairs operation and a liaison at the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.

The latest proposal builds on several years of exchanges between the Caribbean Netherlands and Wadden Islands. On June 20, 2025, representatives of all eight islands signed an E8 declaration of intent on Vlieland following roughly three years of working visits. That agreement identified three main objectives: joint representation of island interests, greater exchange of knowledge and experience, and stronger cooperation with partners including the Dutch government, the Association of Netherlands Municipalities and the provinces of Friesland and North Holland.

The process advanced again on September 22, 2025, when the island governors and mayors discussed a position paper and agreed to explore the three-stage model now being considered.

For Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius, the developing alliance could offer another route for bringing issues affecting small island jurisdictions directly to policymakers in The Hague. Rather than approaching the Dutch government separately, the eight islands are exploring whether their shared concerns can carry greater weight when presented collectively.

The initiative remains under development and no permanent E8 organization has yet been established. Bonaire’s Executive Council said the island council will continue to be informed as the cooperation progresses.

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