The actors

The project owner, the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe, is a local public body managed by the Hauts-de-France Region and the Departments of Nord, Oise, Pas-de-Calais, and Somme, which finance the project in partnership with the French State and with European support. Acting as the true "conductor," it represents a unique case of decentralizing a major European project at the local level.

The European Union has made this major project a key link in the North Sea-Mediterranean waterway corridor . Its commitment took shape as early as October 17, 2013, through a joint declaration in Tallinn, Estonia, by the European Commissioner for Transport and the French, Flemish, Walloon, and Dutch ministers. This commitment was reinforced by the adoption, on June 27, 2019, of an implementing decision that sets out the operational steps for completing the link by 2030.

The agricultural sector and economic and industrial stakeholders support the project's momentum through the Major Project Approach . Local authorities, responsible for developing the inland ports under the leadership of the Hauts-de-France Region, are also essential partners in the Seine-Nord Europe Canal.