European Fisheries Fund (EFF)
The European Commission has approved the UK’s Operational Programme. The scheme is now open for grant applications.
The UK has £111 million (€138 million) for the duration of the programme. This is subject to exchange rates.
The money is divided between each of the UK administrations as follows:
- Scotland nearly £44 million (€55 million)
- England just over £38 million (€48 million)
- Northern Ireland just over £14 million (€18 million)
- Wales just under £14 million (€17 million).
The types of project eligible for grant include:
- modernising fishing vessels to (for example) reduce discards, improve gear selectivity and minimise environmental impact - not to increase catching capacity
- improving product quality
- investment in aquaculture and diversification of farmed species
- marketing fisheries products
- improvements to processing and port facilities
- pilot and collective actions by industry
- development of sustainable fisheries
- development support towards fisheries-dependent communities.
Full details of the scheme eligibility and the application forms are available from each Administration listed via the link below.
View administration contact details
Selection panel terms of reference
Awards from the February panel
The next EFF Grants Selection Panel is to be held on 19 May 2010. Applications must be received by 24 March 2010.
The EFF Grants Programme is open all year round for receipt of applications. Depending on the type, size and cost of a project, a decision will either be considered by the Selection Panel (which is meet three times a year) or for smaller projects by the Business Relations Team in the MFA on an ongoing basis.
The final meeting for 2010 has also been set as 6 October (applications must be received by 11 August).
2011 panel dates (subject to confirmation)
- 9 March 2011 (deadline for applications 5 January 2011)
- 6 July 2011 (deadline 11 May 2011)
- 16 November 2011 (deadline 21 September 2011).
Operational Programme
The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) is intended to help secure a sustainable and profitable fisheries industry. It will grant financial support during the period 2007 to 2013, with a view to help the industry adapt to changing circumstances.
Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 (the "EFF Regulation") requires Member States to draw up Operational Programme and this has to be approved by the Commission.
Guiding principles for the development of the Operational Programme, and information on the content of it, are set out in the EFF Regulation.
The UK Operational Programme for the EFF contains a detailed analysis of the fisheries industry, the strategy and objectives, the summary of the ex ante evaluation, details on each priority axis, the finance available, and the implementing provisions.
England's Financial Allocations
In England, the £38 million is broken down as follows:
- Axis 1 – Measures for the adaptation of the Community fishing fleet
- England:
- £10,539,672
- €13,365,358
- of which Cornwall:
- £2,822,685
- €3,579,448
- Axis 2 – Measures for investments in aquaculture and processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products
- England:
- £3,994,097
- €5,064,915
- of which Cornwall:
- £1,127,510
- €1,429,796
- Axis 3 – Measures of common interest
- England:
- £11,041,024
- €14,001,123
- of which Cornwall:
- £3,246,568
- €4,116,973
- Axis 4 – Measures of the sustainable development of fisheries areas
- England:
- £2,851,063
- €3,615,433
- of which Cornwall:
- £776,924
- €985,217
- Axis 5 – Technical assistance
- England:
- £1,191,042
- €1,510,360
- of which Cornwall:
- £204,454
- €259,268
- TOTAL
- England:
- £29,616,898
- €37,557,188
- of which Cornwall:
- £8,178,141
- €10,370,701
Due to exchange rate fluctuations the sterling amounts are subject to change.
Cross-Border or Pan-UK Projects
Projects which cover more than one country in the UK and are funded by more than one Administration, will operate under a streamlined and co-ordinated application process.
Applicants for cross-border and pan-UK projects will need to make only one application which will be submitted to the Administration where the applicant’s business or organisation is based.
On receipt of pan-UK applications, the relevant Administration will contact the Marine and Fisheries Agency (who act as the UK Managing Authority for the EFF) to co-ordinate agreement on which Administration should lead the project and on where the funding should come from.
Each Administration required to fund the project will apply its own selection criteria when assessing the application. The lead Administration will be responsible for co-ordinating the end to end process of the pan-UK project and will be the point of contact for the applicant throughout the life of the project.