Fisheries Fund Business Development & Diversification

Overview

Projects should be based within the fishing dependent communities of Annalong, Ardglass, Kilkeel or Portavogie and surrounding areas and demonstrate how the proposed project will impact on:

• Strenghtening the competitiveness of fisheries areas
• Restructuring and redirecting economic activities, in particular by promoting eco-tourism, provided that these activities do not result in an increase in fishing effort
• Diversifying activities through the promotion of multiple employment for fishers through the creation of additional jobs outside the fisheries sector
• Adding value to fisheries products
• Supporting small fisheries and tourism related infrastructure and services for the benefit of small fisheries communities
• Protecting the environment in fisheries areas to maintain its attractiveness, regenerating and developing coast hamlets and villages with fisheries activities and protecting and enhancing natural and architectural heritage
• Promoting inter-regional and trans-national cooperation among groups in fisheries areas, mainly through networking and disseminating best practice
• Re-establishing the production potential in the fisheries sector when damaged by natural or industrial disasters

The South East Area European Fisheries Fund (SEA) has been allocated a budget of £2.6 million from the European Union and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development resources through EFF Axis 4.

Who can apply?

• Private individuals, aged over 18 years
• Private companies or partnerships
• Social economy enterprises (SEE) – (viewed as those organisations that have a social, voluntary, community or ethical purpose, operate using a commercial business model and have a legal form appropriate to a not-for personal profit status.)
• Non Departmental Public Bodies
• Local Councils
• There are no limits set on the size/number of years established/number of employees a business, organisation, voluntary group etc. that can apply to Axis 4 of the EFF.

Important Information

Applications must submit the following at the time of application

• All statutory approvals must be in place, e.g. full planning permission
• Evidence of match funding
• Business Plan
• Confirmation (in writing) the proposed project can be completed

Failure to supply the above documents will deem the application ineligible.

If planning permission documents are not verified, the application will be rejected.

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