~A new opportunity is opening doors for young talent on Sint Maarten.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Starting February 1, 2026, the EY Young Talent Fund will officially become available to aspiring young people on the island, supporting their growth, development, and future success.

Originally established in 2017 by EY in partnership with the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied (CCG) to celebrate EY’s 70th anniversary, the fund was launched to invest in the next generation of talent on Curaçao. One year later, it expanded to Aruba, followed by Bonaire four years later. Now, in its ninth year, the EY Young Talent Fund is proudly expanding to Sint Maarten. This expansion reflects EY’s continued commitment to nurturing Caribbean talent and creating equal opportunities for young people across the region.

The EY Young Talent Fonds op Naam focuses on motivated and talented youth aged 13 to 18 who demonstrate strong potential in their chosen field — whether in arts, culture, sports, education, or other areas of development. Special attention is given to young people and families who may not have the financial means to fully fund their own development.

Eligible applicants must live on Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, or Sint Maarten and show clear ambition, dedication, and talent in their discipline.
Successful applicants may receive up to XCG 10,000 (USD 5,495) per school year (August–July). Applications are reviewed monthly.
Applications must be submitted digitally via:
www.cultuurfondscaribischgebied.com/geld-vragen/
Applicants aged 13–17 must submit their application with the support and signature of a parent or guardian.
Deadlines and review dates can be found on the CCG agenda page:
https://cultuurfondscaribischgebied.com/vergaderagenda/

With the launch on Sint Maarten, the EY Young Talent Fund continues its mission to empower young people, unlock potential, and invest in the future of the Caribbean.

Let your talent grow. Apply and take the next step.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Tax Administration, Inspectorate Department, is reminding all businesses, employers, and financial administrators of the February 2, 2026, deadline for submitting the Summary Wage Statement (Verzamelloonstaat) and Third-Party Statement (Opgaaf Derden) for 2025, as required under Article 45 of the National Ordinance on General Taxes.

The Summary Wage Statement provides a record of all individuals employed by a business, including directors, supervisory directors, and individuals working exclusively on a commission basis, while the Third-Party Statement records individuals or entities that have provided services outside of an employer-employee relationship.

To facilitate the submission process, businesses with fewer than five employees may submit the forms in hard copy, while businesses with more than five employees are required to submit the information digitally via USB flash drive.

The Tax Administration encourages all businesses and employers to submit their documents on time to avoid penalties and ensure continued compliance with national tax regulations. Under Article 21a of the National Ordinance on General Taxes, the Inspector of Taxes can impose a fine of up to Cg. 5,000 if the requested statements, based on Article 45, Sections 2 and 3, are not submitted, submitted late, or submitted incomplete.

For more information or assistance, please contact the Tax Administration by telephone at 542-2143, 542-3782, 542-3839, or 542-3840, via WhatsApp at 556-3699, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG:--- The General Audit Chamber published a mini audit on the monitoring of air quality, examining whether the government has adequate systems in place to measure, manage, and report on air quality over time. The audit does not assess whether the air on St. Maarten is good or bad, but focuses on governance, monitoring capacity, and policy arrangements.
The report finds that, although air quality is mentioned in national strategies and policy documents, there is currently no fully operational government system to structurally monitor air quality. Previous efforts to procure monitoring equipment have faced delays, and existing standards and policies are being updated to reflect international guidelines.
According to the Chairman of the General Audit Chamber, Mr. Alphons Gumbs:
“This audit looks at whether government has the tools and systems needed to understand air quality over time. Reliable data supports informed decision-making on public health, environmental policy, urban development, and sustainability.”
St. Maarten has committed to international goals related to sustainable development, public health, and environmental protection. Establishing clear monitoring and reporting mechanisms can support transparency and long-term planning in these areas.
The full report is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber: www.arsxm.org

PHILIPSBURG:---  RISE Foundation, in collaboration with the St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA), has delivered 14 water coolers and 42 large water bottles to support students at Leonald Conner School, Oranje School, and RISE Foundation’s youth education programs.
With the support of volunteers, the RISE Foundation team coordinated the loading and delivery of the equipment. The donation supports students’ well-being, comfort, and focus throughout the school day, and is expected to benefit more than 300 students.
Of the 14 water coolers donated, 10 were delivered to Leonald Conner School, 3 to Oranje School, and 1 to RISE Foundation’s Youth Education Program, where it will support students participating in GED classes.
The water coolers were funded through SMTA’s Dollar-a-Day Fund, which is supported by voluntary guest contributions at member resorts.
“Many of our member resorts collect a voluntary contribution of one dollar per day by adding it to guests’ invoices,” said Jelle Hamstra, President of the St. Maarten Timeshare Association. “Most guests are happy to contribute, knowing these funds are used to support staff education, youth initiatives, and community development.”
Leonald Conner School, which received water coolers for the majority of its classes, welcomed the donation after years of limited access to drinking water across the school grounds.
“For quite a few years we have been asking around for water coolers, and sometimes it’s good to wait,” said Alice Samuel-Grigoria, Principal of Leonald Conner School. “Our students will be very happy and make good use of them, and we are going to take very good care of them.”
Teachers at the school noted that the donation will have a lasting effect on students’ daily routines and learning environment.
“This donation will have a lasting impact on our students, helping them stay healthy, hydrated, and ready to learn each day,” said Tr. Judith Anderson-Woods.
At Oranje School, where water coolers were placed in key locations around the school grounds, leadership emphasized the importance of hydration in supporting children throughout the school day.
We would like to thank the RISE Foundation for the generous donation of the three water coolers and several bottles of water. It is very important for the children to drink water on a daily basis.” said Mrs. Minerva Marlin-Cooper, Principal of Oranje School.
RISE Foundation noted that access to drinking water is a basic part of a supportive learning environment.
“Growing up, water was freely accessible in schools,” a representative of RISE Foundation said. “We wanted to help restore that sense of normalcy, where students can focus on learning without worrying about access to something so essential.”
The foundation also thanked Home N U for providing discounted pricing on the water coolers, allowing the contribution from SMTA to reach more classrooms and students.
For more information, contact RISE Foundation at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1-721-584-7473 or +1-721-523-8421.
RISE Foundation is a Sint Maarten-based nonprofit focused on youth development, education, and community support initiatives that empower individuals and strengthen families.