Support for Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia supports measures to increase sustainability in fisheries and aquaculture within the framework of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) with grants covering 25% to 100% of eligible costs. Applications must be submitted to the Chamber of Agriculture NRW before the start of the measure.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture as well as the processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products. The goal is to improve economic, social, and environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, animal welfare, water protection, and innovation capacity in the sector.
Non-eligible expenses
- Used items or vehicles (except demonstration equipment)
- Land purchase and property transfers
- Transfer of company ownership
- Office furnishings and equipment
- Expenses for loan procurement, leases, rents, taxes, brokerage fees
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
- Cooperatives
- Foundations
- Public Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Located in North Rhine-Westphalia (for aquaculture, sufficient facility location in NRW)
- Proof of fish farming or comparable qualification or relevant experience in aquaculture
- Supplementary documents on feasibility and market opportunities for newcomers
- Fulfillment of the objectives of the national aquaculture strategy plan
- Research measures in cooperation with recognized scientific institutions
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Documents required for application
- Detailed project description
- Presentation of total costs
- Excerpt from commercial or cooperative register or statutes
- Power of attorney in case of representation
- Required permits
- Balance sheets as well as profit and loss statements
- Bank confirmations to prove own funds
- Proof of the appropriateness of costs per contract item/trade
Evaluation criteria
- Minimum score achieved in the two-stage selection process
- Innovative content of the measure
- Sustainability aspects
Description
The program for the promotion of inland fisheries and aquaculture in North Rhine-Westphalia supports fisheries and aquaculture enterprises, processing and marketing companies, start-ups, as well as scientific institutions and non-profit organizations in measures aimed at increasing economic, social, and ecological sustainability. Funding is provided for investments in infrastructure, energy efficiency, water protection, animal welfare, as well as innovative processes in the processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products. The grant rate ranges from 25% to 100% of eligible costs, depending on the type and scope of the measure. Applications must be submitted to the Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia before the start of the planned measures; timely submission and compliance with technical and legal requirements, such as a binding period of up to 12 years for structural investments, are mandatory.
A prerequisite for funding is the location or facility site in NRW as well as proof of professional qualification or experience in the fisheries or aquaculture sector. New entrants must submit additional feasibility and market opportunity analyses; research projects are conducted in cooperation with recognized scientific institutions. The selection process is two-stage and evaluates the degree of innovation, sustainability aspects, and minimum required scores. Non-eligible costs include, among others, used items, land purchases, replacement acquisitions (except those ecologically justified), marketing campaigns for private labels, as well as measures already funded. This funding aims to strengthen regional food security, preserve near-natural habitats, and sustainably improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the fisheries sector.
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