Celebrating 10 years of EMFF/EMFAF – the European Maritime, Fisheries (and Aquaculture) Fund

On 15 May 2014, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Regulation was adopted. 

10 years later, we are looking back at the great results achieved: from supporting fisheries science to creating innovative solutions for the blue economy, the fund supported positive change for citizens, companies, fishing and coastal communities, and the environment. 

Since 2021, the fund is called European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), and is partly managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).

It supports the EU common fisheries policy, the EU integrated maritime policy and the EU agenda for international ocean governance through a diversified portfolio of actions.

What has been achieved over the last 10 years?

The European, Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF 2014-2020) and the European, Maritime and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF 2021-2027) have a total budget of €12.508 billion.

Via direct management

More than 500 actions have been funded via direct management through CINEA for a total of €389.5 million, reaching more than 8,000 stakeholders. 

Among the many achievements of the last 10 years, the fund

• Provided funding to over 1 000 beneficiaries to scale up Highly innovative projects in all blue economy sectors. supported the publication of 109 studies providing scientific advice for fisheries, supporting policy making, and the sustainable management of marine resources.
• Fostered International ocean governance through dialogues and actions, including with indigenous people in the Arctic area.
• Supported 472 companies and investors with coaching, investment readiness and fundraising assistance thanks to BlueInvest since 2019.
• Supported the EU algae sector scale up through the  EU4Algae initiative, now counting on 927 stakeholders.
• Made ocean literacy a reality through the EU4Ocean initiative, involving 926 stakeholders  in ocean literacy activities and 382 schools.
• Helped EMODnet to streamline an easy and free access to marine data.

Via shared management with the Member States

• The EMFF supported more than 145,000 operations in total, and around 62,000 unique beneficiaries. It also supported the creation of more than 1,000 new businesses and nearly 10,000 new jobs, whilst maintaining a further 59,000.
• The EMFF also supported and committed funds to several types of projects, including more than €300 million related to innovation, around €189 million to landing obligation, and more than €550 million contributed to NATURA 2000 objectives.
• The EMFF has also played an important role in recent events, with 21 Member States utilising the fund to mitigate the impact of the Covid crisis – in total more than 22,000 operations with total commitments of €212 million. Additionally, 10 Member States were able to support their fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors to overcome market disruptions due to the Russian unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, totalling more than 16,000 operations and €163 million in commitments. 
• As of the end of 2023 the EMFF has supported 30,000 fishing vessels.
• Under the more recent EMFAF nearly €252 million (71% of EMFAF support) has dealt with climate change adaptation and mitigation, and around €233 million (66% of EMFAF support) was provided to improve the environment. 

Join the celebration campaign!

In 2024, CINEA will be celebrating this important anniversary with a year-long communication campaign promoting the EMFF and EMFAF funded projects.

1. Post on your social media
   1. Explain how the EMFF/EMFAF funding helped you. As an alternative, you can also use the following text "We are proud to contribute to a more sustainable blue economy in Europe, thanks to the EU #EMFAF funding (or #EMFF, according to which year your project has been funded). Happy #10yearsEMFaF.'"
   2. Do not forget to use #10yearsEMFaF
   3. Use this visual as it is, or in its editable form.
2. Send a testimony of how the EMFF/EMFAF funding supported your project. 
3. Talk about the anniversary at the events where you take part.

More information

Success stories from EMFF and EMFAF

Video on EMFAF - Unlocking the Ocean's wealth