Coastal Community Development Scheme Now Accepting Applications
Fisheries Local Actions Groups (FLAG) Launches Funding Initiative
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Seafood Development Agency of Ireland, in collaboration with seven Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), has officially announced the opening of the Coastal Community Development Scheme for applications. This initiative was recently unveiled by Minister of State for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, T.D.
Through the years 2025 to 2029, the scheme will allocate a total funding of €15 million to qualifying applicants under a community-led local development framework aimed at boosting economic and social sustainability in coastal regions heavily reliant on fisheries and aquaculture. In the first year, a preliminary allocation of €2.1 million is designated for 2025 projects.
Application Timeline and Eligibility
Applications for funding under this scheme will open on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and will remain open for a duration of four weeks, closing at 23:59 on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Notably, only projects that can be finalized by October 31, 2025, will be considered for funding in this round. Future calls will accommodate projects unable to meet this deadline.
Prospective applicants are required to submit their applications through the new online BIM grants portal. This will be a competitive process: eligible applications will be evaluated and ranked according to criteria established by the respective FLAG boards, with funding allocated sequentially to the highest-ranking projects until the budget is fully utilized.
Who Can Apply?
The FLAG funding is accessible to various stakeholders, including:
- Individuals
- Small Scale Coastal Fishing and other fishing vessel owners
- Micro or small enterprises in the Blue Economy
- Charities and community groups
- Fisheries collectives
All projects should align with the local development strategies of their respective areas.
Local Development Strategies
The Seven FLAGs represent distinct coastal areas throughout Ireland:
- FLAG Northeast (Louth, Meath, Dublin)
- FLAG Southeast (Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford)
- FLAG South (Cork)
- FLAG Southwest (Kerry, Limerick)
- FLAG West (Galway, Clare)
- FLAG Northwest (Mayo, Sligo)
- FLAG North (Donegal)
Each FLAG’s local development strategy, detailing funding priorities, can be accessed at BIM’s FLAG Page.
Project Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for funding, proposed projects must be located within 10km of the coast (high water mark). However, in certain exceptional cases, projects situated further inland that demonstrate a significant impact on coastal regions may also be considered.
Support and Guidance
BIM strongly encourages potential applicants to connect with dedicated National FLAG Network Officers for assistance or to participate in online information sessions. Video tutorials will be made available to guide users on navigating the grants system. Additionally, the Regional Development Officers are on hand to offer support or facilitate connections with grant assistance services.
For more information on the Coastal Community Development Scheme and to find contact details for FLAG and Regional Development officers, please visit BIM’s official website.
This initiative is a key component of Ireland’s Seafood Development Programme, jointly funded by the Irish Government and the European Union through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
Main Image: Pixabay
