What identity will the future flag of Saint-Martin have? The answer is beginning to emerge after the extensive citizen consultation conducted as part of the “My Saint-Martin Flag” project.

The results were presented on Monday at the CCISM, in the presence of, among others, the 3rd Vice-President of the COM, Dominique Démocrite Louisy, and the Deputy Director General, Paul Dollin. The initiative brought together 425 participantsbetween workshops organized in the neighborhoods and online consultations.

Launched from May 1st to June 30th, the consultation was intended to to gather residents' expectations regarding a future graphic symbol for the territorySince Saint-Martin does not currently have an official flag, the objective is to create to emerge a visual identity stemming from the population. An approach that should also allow the territory to to have an emblem during cultural or sporting events, like many other Caribbean territories.

Seven workshops and nearly 300 online responses

The consultation was based on two complementary mechanisms: seven participatory workshops and online questionnaireThe workshops brought together 128 people, including 12 participants in Quartier d'Orléans, 7 in Grand-Case, 2 in Sandy Ground, 15 in Marigot, 30 in Colombier, 12 at the Mission Locale and 50 students from the Hervé Williams school. Six neighborhood councils were represented.with participation ranging from 19 to 64 people depending on the sector. The online consultation gathered 297 answersAmong the respondents, 81% reside in Saint-Martin and 18% belong to the diaspora, including students and people working outside the territory.

Diversity, sea and flamboyant

The discussions focused on three questions: Who are we? What symbols represent Saint-Martin? What colors could embody the territory?

In terms of values, the diversity made up of people from different backgrounds and the multiculturalism These concepts come to the forefront: they were mentioned in all the workshops and received 77% online membership. The resilience next comes 56 %, in front of'unit with 38 %.

Regarding the symbols, the flamboyant, associated with fertility, resilience and abundance, comes out on top, with no negative feedback during the workshops, with 39 % online membership. The whole sea-beach obtains the highest score, with 61 %. The pelican receives 16% of the responses, while Soualiga“Salt Island” received 12%. Note that participants also identified… elements to avoid : iguana, monkey, mongoose, Fort Louis, chains, dove, machete, generic animal, or elements already present on the Unity Flag.

The color that stands out is the turquoiseassociated with the sea, the sky and freedom, with 82 % membership. Next comes the tropical green (68%), the yellow-orange (62%) and the red-orange (57%). The recommendation resulting from the consultation is not to exceed three colours on the future flag. The blue White Redroyal blue, the colors fluorescent, as well as a dominant black or white, should be avoided.

These results, however, do not constitute a graphical specification. They will serve as source of inspirationCandidates will retain creative freedom, but will have to explain their choices in their statement of intent, particularly when they deviate from the trends expressed by the population.

The competition is open to everyone (except AI).

The restitution also marks the official launch of the creative competitionCandidates have until September 30, 2026 at noon (local time) to submit a proposal. The competition is open to professionals and amateurs alikeprovided they have a lasting connection with Saint-Martin: continuous residence for at least ten years or membership in the DiasporaMinors may also compete with the permission of their legal guardian.

Only one proposal will be accepted per candidate or team and the use of generative artificial intelligence is strictly prohibited: The best ideas don't come from an algorithm, but from your imagination. The application must include a design of the flag, a copy of your ID, a statement of intent, a presentation of your creative process with sketches, and a signed application form.

Our selection will take place in several stages: admissibility check, pre-selection by a jury of six members, then citizen vote. Up to ten finalists The following may be selected. The public vote, open to both residents and the diaspora, will represent 20 out of 100 pointsThe other 80 are subject to jury evaluation. three candidates who finished first They will then meet with the jury for a validation interview, designed in particular to verify the authenticity of their approach. The winner will ultimately be chosen by the jury, before a official adoption by the Territorial Council the 7 December 2026, following the citizen advisory vote announced in October.

Applications can be submitted online at mysaintmartinflag.com or at the Directorate of Cultural Affairs in Galisbay. Its director, Claudine Lake-Mingau, hopes receive more than a hundred proposals for this future symbol of Saint-Martin. Get your pencils and tablets ready! _Vx

Information: www.mysaintmartinflag.com