The Island Identity Project: Project Update 2026

Contents

Ministerial foreword ............................................................................................................. 2 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 4 Project objectives................................................................................................................. 5 Project achievements to date............................................................................................... 6 Annex 1 – Update on Island Identity recommendations ..................................................... 10

Ministerial foreword

As Minister for International Development, I am proud to present this update on the Island Identity Project, an initiative that asks a simple but important question: what makes Jersey special, and why does that matter?

Since its inception in 2019, the project has helped us better understand the qualities that shape our Island: our heritage, our sense of community, our global outlook, and the deep pride we take in calling Jersey home. From strengthening cultural strategies to enhancing how we present Jersey internationally, this work has laid a strong foundation for the years ahead.

We can be proud of what has already been achieved: the adoption of Liberation Day as our national day; the designation of "Beautiful Jersey" as our anthem; the creation of new Ambassador Packs and educational resources; connecting Jersey's diaspora; and important contributions to cultural strategies and international engagement. Together, these accomplishments reflect a growing confidence in Jersey's unique story and values.

As we look to the future, it is equally important to recognise that some recommendations from earlier phases of the project remain ongoing or have not yet been taken forward. I am committed to ensuring that this work continues, progressing unfinished actions where they still carry value, revisiting proposals that merit renewed attention, and ensuring that nothing of long term importance is lost simply due to timing or capacity. This sustained focus will ensure that the Island Identity Project continues to evolve in a deliberate, thoughtful, and impactful way

But identity is never static. It reflects not only who we have been, but who we aspire to become. Going forward, I intend the next phase of the Island Identity Project to look outward and ahead, developing a shared vision for Jersey's future that our whole community can unite behind. This vision will be shaped with Islanders, through open engagement, collaboration, and participation across all ages and backgrounds. It is my intention for this vision to form part of the next CSP.

One compelling idea emerging from recent work is the vision for Jersey to be known as a philanthropic Island, defined by generosity, service, and a strong sense of international responsibility. This builds naturally on the remarkable contributions Islanders already make every day. Jersey Overseas Aid exemplifies our commitment to "paying it forward" globally, while thousands of Islanders strengthen social bonds and enrich community life by volunteering across hundreds of charities. Being known as a philanthropic Island strengthens Jersey's appeal

to NGOs, increasing the likelihood that they will establish a presence or base their headquarters here.

Jersey's philanthropic character is evident in the scale and vitality of its third sector. According to the latest Jersey Charity Commissioner report, the Island is home to 487 charities and around 11,000 volunteers. Proportionate to our population, this makes Jersey's charity sector exceptionally large. Beyond their economic and social contributions, charitable organisations also play a vital role in stewarding Jersey's culture, heritage and twelve municipalities helping to preserve and enrich what makes our Island unique.

By bringing together our heritage, our aspirations for the future, our generosity, and our vibrant civic spirit, we have an opportunity to articulate a compelling vision of what Jersey can become, one that  celebrates  who  we are, defines  who  we  want to be,  and gives  us  all something meaningful to strive toward.

Deputy Carolyn Labey

Minister for International Development  Lead on the Island Identity Project  

Introduction

The Island Identity Project, led by the Minister for International Development, seeks to deepen understanding of Jersey's unique character, strengthen Islanders' sense of belonging and pride, and support a more coherent and positive presentation of Jersey internationally. By bringing together cultural insight, community perspectives, and strategic policy thinking, the project aims

to ensure that Jersey's identity is both understood and celebrated.

Recognising the importance of this work, the Government established a Policy Development Board in October 2019 to explore how Jersey's distinct qualities could be better understood, enhanced and applied for the Island's benefit. Chaired by Deputy Labey and composed of 12 Islanders from diverse backgrounds, the Board examined public views, consulted experts and key institutions, and reviewed existing research and strategy documents.

In 2020, the Board published a  consultation document  containing 48 recommendations, opportunities, and ideas to support the project's objectives.

This report provides an update on progress against those recommendations and sets out the Island Identity Project's achievements as of March 2026.

Project objectives

The overarching objectives of the Island Identity project are as follows:

• That people living in Jersey are civically engaged and proud of their Island;

• That Jersey has a recognisable and positive international personality; and

• That public policies coherently support and develop Jersey's distinct identity.

The specific goals of the project include:

• Conserving what makes Jersey look and feel unique and express our distinctive character and heritage;

• Improving public awareness of our constitution and history, including understanding ourselves as a country, or small Island nation;

• Nurturing a stronger sense of citizenship and engagement in public life;

• Addressing  alienation  and  social  exclusion,  and ensuring  all  Islanders  feel  they belong in Jersey whatever their background;

• Expanding the international narrative about Jersey;

• Developing Jersey's distinct international personality, separate from that of the UK but with strong connections to Britain, France and other European countries and the Commonwealth; and

• Celebrating and better promoting what we do well.

Project achievements can be found in the section below, while detailed updates on each recommendation can be found in Annex 1.

Project achievements to date

• In 2025, Liberation Day was formally designated as Jersey's national day and "Beautiful Jersey" as Jersey's local anthem following extensive public consultation.

• An About Jersey' brochure has been developed for public distribution with collaboration from Visit Jersey, raising awareness of Jersey's unique history and what the Island has to offer.

• Ambassador Packs and resources on Jersey's constitution and heritage were developed which have so far been distributed to schools and parishes and are available to all Islanders on the Island Identity website. This work also includes business cards with QR codes leading to the Island Identity website and ambassador resources and a resource page for new arrivals to Jersey on the Island Identity website.

• The project created welcome material for Constables to give to Parishioners which provides a short introduction to Jersey and the Parishes.

• Created the Island Identity Website which was updated in 2026 to include a new page titled Welcome to Jersey' which useful links to information to those moving to the Island, including what you need to know when you arrive, tips for settling in, and other useful resources. Inclusion of new page titled National Day and Jersey Anthem' which outlines the States Assembly's decision to adopt Liberation Day as the Island's National Day and Beautiful Jersey' as the Island's anthem. It also makes available official versions of the song, as well as sheet music/lyrics.

• The project supported the Government's recent  Arts Strategy, Heritage Strategy  and Language strategy.

• The project commissioned a rapid study on the Jersey university concept' to assess the feasibility of setting up a local university to provide further educational opportunities to Islanders.

• The project supported the re-establishment of External Relations as a separate department within the Government of Jersey.

• The project supported the continuing specialisation of overseas aid in areas of most relevance to Jersey, as well as the commitment to increase the percentage of GVA devoted to international aid by 0.01% each year.

• The project supported the development of a new modern Language strategy for Jersey Schools.

• The project sponsored the Jersey Connections project which aims to connect and strengthen a sense of community among Jersey diaspora across the world.

• The project sponsored engagement events to strengthen and facilitate links between Government and honorary consuls in Jersey.

• In collaboration with Heritage and Education departments, the project produced Charlie and Spud' books by local author Penny Byrne. These stories are set in Jersey with the aim of raising awareness of the Island's heritage to young children. These books have been distributed to all local schools.

• The project supported the work of the Political Education and Public Engagement Subcommittee of the Privileges and Procedures Committee, and developed lesson plans, which can be found on the Island Identity website, that teachers can use to explain Jersey's constitution, history, and heritage.

• The project sponsored an Art House Jersey film (John Henry Falle's The Complete History of Jersey') which raises awareness of Jersey's unique history and heritage and is played in Jersey Heritage venues.

• The project facilitated a photography competition to engage Islanders with the project in a creative context.

Future of the project

As the Island Identity Project moves into its next phase, it is important that the progress made to date is continued and that outstanding recommendations are carried forward. The Minister for International Development recommends that the remaining recommendations with enduring value should continue to be delivered, ensuring momentum is not lost due to changes in administration, policy cycles, or resource availability.

Looking ahead, the Minister further recommends that the next Government should not only sustain the project but elevate it. The Island Identity Project should evolve from a portfolio of individual initiatives into a strategic framework that actively guides both the overall direction of government and the way policy and projects are developed and delivered. This shift is essential to building a coherent, long-term vision for Jersey that Islanders can unite behind.

At its core, Island Identity is about defining and articulating a shared vision for Jersey's future – one that is rooted in the Island's unique heritage, culture, constitutional position, international character, and community values. To achieve this, the next Council of Ministers should be advised to embed this vision into every major strand of government work, ensuring that Jersey's responses to future challenges are shaped by what is right for Jersey – its size, its culture, and its priorities – and not simply influenced by the models of larger jurisdictions

To support this strategic shift, the Minister recommends that four specific recommendations from the original programme be prioritised by the next Government, as they are essential to meeting the project's long-term aims:

• Development of a talent progression programme to help ensure Jersey cultivates and retains the skilled public-sector leadership it requires to deliver policies that reflect the Island's unique needs.

• Creation of a coordinated external image for Jersey, strengthening how the Island presents itself internationally and ensuring that all outwardfacing bodies reflect a coherent identity.

• Incorporation of an identity consideration within the Government's economic decisionmaking matrix, enabling Ministers and officials to assess how economic initiatives support – or undermine – Jersey's distinct national personality and longterm strategic identity.

• Further development of the vision of Jersey as a philanthropic Island', building on the Island's strong civic spirit, thriving charitable sector, and international development commitments to shape a positive and recognisable narrative about Jersey's values.

By prioritising these actions, the next Government will be well-positioned to ensure that Island Identity is not only preserved but strengthened as a guiding framework for national policy.

Embedding this work deeply into government practice will help Jersey:

• Set clear national priorities grounded in what makes Jersey distinctive.

• Develop proportionate and local policy responses, rather than relying on approaches developed for larger states.

• Promote coherence across government, ensuring that major initiatives support a unified strategic vision.

• Enhance Jersey's international reputation through a more coordinated and confident external identity.

Taken together, this represents a major opportunity for the next Council of Ministers: to articulate and deliver a clear, confident, and forward-looking vision for Jersey that resonates with Islanders and positions the Island strongly for the future.

Annex 1 – Update on Island Identity recommendations