As a global ocean actor and a major producer of seafood, the EU has a responsibility to protect and sustainably use the oceans and their resources. It is also in the EU's socio-economic interest to guarantee the availability of food supplies, the competitiveness of the maritime economy and the livelihood of coastal communities. It also helps achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 (‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources’).

The EMFAF supports the EU common fisheries policy, the EU maritime policy and the EU agenda for international ocean governance. It provides support for developing innovative projects ensuring that aquatic and maritime resources are used sustainably.

In this case, the Circular Systemic Solution must focus heavily on the blue economy or circular economy fisheries. A recent example is the allocation to the Finnish programme 2021-2027 of €140.3 million over the next six years. The funds will be spent to support the sustainable growth of Finland’s fisheries and aquaculture sector by investing in projects that safeguard conditions for primary production and stimulate innovation and digitalisation.

The applicant details are specific for each call and country. The calls per country can be found on here.

The EMFAF can be used by cities and regions in the following countries:
 

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Hungary
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• the Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden

The EMFAF supports innovative projects that contribute to the sustainable exploitation and management of aquatic and maritime resources. In particular, it facilitates:
 

• the transition to sustainable and low-carbon fishing;
• the protection of marine biodiversity and ecosystems;
• the supply of quality and healthy seafood to European consumers;
• the socio-economic attractiveness and the generational renewal of the fishing sector, particularly as regards small-scale coastal fisheries;
• the development of a sustainable and competitive aquaculture contributing to food security;
• the improvement of skills and working conditions in the fishing and aquaculture sectors;
• the economic and social vitality of coastal communities;
• innovation in the sustainable blue economy;
• maritime security towards a safe maritime space;
• international cooperation towards healthy, safe and sustainably managed oceans.

The total budget for 2021-2027 is €6.1 billion.

Each country has its own allocation of funds. Country-specific information can be found here.

To see if your territory is eligible for funding support from the EMFAF, please contact the national authority in charge of managing the operational programme in your country. You should then follow the relevant application procedures so that the managing authority can check the eligibility of your project and whether it meets the relevant selection criteria and investment priorities.

The list of managing authorities can be found here.

From 2021 to 2027.