EU: FAMENET management team: Fisheries and aquaculture monitoring, evaluation and local network support, a Support Unit under EMFAF 2021-2027

Project background

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021 to 2027 (MARE/2021/OP/0002) supports the EU common fisheries policy (CFP), the EU maritime policy and the EU agenda for international ocean governance. The total EU budget for the period from 2021 to 2027 is EUR 6.1 billion, plus national contributions. The fund provides support for developing innovative projects ensuring that aquatic and maritime resources are used sustainably.

The EMFAF is the successor of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014 to 2020, which had similar objectives and is in its closing phase until 2024.

The FAMENET Support Unit set up by the consortium led by COFAD assists the Commission, the Member State authorities and other stakeholders in the implementation of the fund, in particular by providing support in monitoring and evaluation, networking services for the European Fisheries Areas network and by providing assistance to EMFAF visibility and communication activities.

Objectives

The overall aim of the FAMENET Support Unit is to assist and support with implementation of three pillars:

1. Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the EMFAF as well as, for the period of its completion, of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and providing the Commission with regular updates and analysis of the state of play of the implementation of the EMFF and the EMFAF. The unit should support capacity building across the Member States and in the Commission, on evaluation and monitoring methodologies, indicators and good practices.
2. Support Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) in fisheries and aquaculture areas and (Fisheries) Local Action Groups in these areas. Considering the possibility for multi-funded strategies, fisheries areas may benefit from funds other than the EMFAF.
3. Support the Commission on communication and visibility of the EMFAF including the activities carried out with Member States in the framework of the INFORM EU network related to the communication and visibility of the EMFAF.

Activities and/or Results

• Core Task 1: Coordination and management
• Core Task 2: Annual Work Plan and quarterly progress reporting
• Core Task 3: Reporting and analysis of EMFF and EMFAF implementation
• Core Task 4: FAQs support
• Core Task 5: Supporting development of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF) under the EMFAF
• Core Task 6: Data collection and management of EMFF and EMFAF databases
• Core Task 7: Capacity building meetings / training on MEF implementation
• Core Task 8: Coordination of the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) network of local groups, capacity building and cooperation
• Core Task 9: Support Commission’s communication and visibility activities related to EMFAF, including those related to the INFORM EU network of MS’ communication coordinators