EU Green Assist Initiative Boosts Sustainable Farming for Island Communities

The European Commission’s advisory initiative Green Assist is helping scale innovative agricultural solutions in island regions, supporting sustainable food production and strengthening local resilience. The initiative, implemented by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), recently highlighted a project that aims to transform farming practices on the Caribbean island of Curaçao.

Island communities often rely heavily on imported food, which can lead to high prices and supply disruptions. To address this challenge, local agricultural company CurHydro is expanding its high-tech hydroponic farming facilities to provide a reliable supply of fresh vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers. The project focuses on efficient resource use, particularly reducing water consumption while maintaining consistent crop production.

Through Green Assist, CurHydro received expert advisory support to refine its financial strategy, evaluate funding opportunities and strengthen its investment case. The advisory services included financial modelling, market analysis and the development of a clear implementation roadmap to make the project more attractive to potential investors.

The expansion aims to grow the current facility into a six-hectare modern agricultural hub, supporting the island’s transition toward a more self-sufficient and resilient food system. The project is expected to move into fundraising, procurement and construction phases, with the greenhouse facility projected to become operational within the next two years.

Green Assist is designed to create a pipeline of high-impact environmental investment projects, focusing on sectors such as biodiversity, natural capital and the circular economy. By offering tailored technical advisory services, the initiative helps innovative projects overcome financial and structural barriers, enabling them to scale sustainably and attract private investment.

For island regions facing climate and supply challenges, initiatives like Green Assist demonstrate how sustainable farming for island communities, EU green investment advisory support, and scaling hydroponic agriculture projects can drive long-term food security while reducing environmental impact.