Public funding and grants for projects in the French Overseas Territories

The ministry's role

The ministère chargé des Outre-mer coordinates public policy concerning the overseas territories. Its scope of action includes calls for projects and specific schemes, but economic aid may also fall under the remit of prefectures, local authorities, public operators or other ministries.

What types of schemes should you look for?

Depending on the territory and the project, the reference catalogue may point to targeted grants, tax measures, social security exemptions, guarantee funds, exceptional aid or national and European programmes. These instruments do not share the same beneficiaries or the same procedures.

Different rules depending on the territory

Conditions can differ between the overseas departments and regions and the other overseas local authorities. Some schemes are managed locally by prefectures or high commissions; others are part of national or European programmes whose management is entrusted to an operator or a regional authority.

Businesses: where to look?

For an economic project, start by defining the need: productive investment, employment, training, mobility, agricultural or maritime activity, innovation, energy transition or response to a disaster. Then consult the scheme's official fact sheet and check eligibility, the timeline, the aid scheme and the authority responsible for processing the application.

European programmes and France 2030

European funds such as the FEDER and the FSE+ can contribute to the development of the overseas territories, but they are generally managed by local authorities or State departments depending on the programme. France 2030 can also support certain innovation and development projects; you should consult the relevant call for projects to find out the lead organisation, the budget and the application rules.

Frequently asked questions

Can all overseas businesses apply for aid from the ministry? No, the schemes are targeted and may depend on the territory, the sector and the type of applicant. Are grants always open? No, calls for projects have a timeline and may be closed. Does a fact sheet appearing in a catalogue guarantee the aid? No, eligibility and available funding must be checked with the managing body.

Official sources

• Grants and calls for projects — Ministère chargé des Outre-mer
• Grant portal for associations (AAPIOM) — Direction générale des Outre-mer
• Audiovisual grants portal — Direction générale des Outre-mer
• European funding supporting the overseas territories — Ministère chargé des Outre-mer
• France 2030 — Overseas Territories — Ministère chargé des Outre-mer
• Guarantee fund for agriculture and fisheries (FOGAP) — Ministère chargé des Outre-mer / AFD