Application Process

If you are interested in applying for funding the first step is to complete an Expression of Interest Form. Alternative, please download or contact the SEA FLAG Admin Office for a hard-copy form.  You must answer all the questions on the form and return it to the SEA FLAG Admin Unit.

Please note: you must read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ before completing an Expression of Interest or Application form. These can be obtained by contacting the office or on the ‘funding’ page.

This form will then be checked to verify that the project, and activities, you are proposing:

• fit with the priorities and aims of the Local Development Strategy
• are suitable to apply for EMFF CLLD funding
• fit within the timeframe available (all projects must be fully complete, with all funds reclaimed by December 2021)

The SEA FLAG Admin Unit will then contact you with feedback. If the project appears to fit with these basic, initial criteria, you will be invited to work towards submitting a full application for funding complete a full application for funding through the online e-system portal.

Expression of Interest Form

Applications will be made via the online e-system portal

A business case must also be submitted for any project relating to support for diversification and new forms of income regardless of the cost of your project. In all other instances you should only provide a business case if the total of your project is £25,000 or more (that is the grant funding and your own money added together) and the proposed investment would have an impact on the operation’s profitability, income or operational costs, or if you have a new business. The Business Case template can be found here.

The e-system will validate whether the application is complete by checking that all required fields have been filled out.  If the application is incomplete, you will be prompted to revise the application.

Once you submit your online application you will be required to print a copy and sign and date it before posting to the SEA FLAG Admin Unit. The SEA FLAG Admin Unit must receive a signed and dated hard copy to enable your application to be processed.

Once you have submitted your application, the proposed project will be assessed by the South East Area Fisheries Local Action Group (SEA FLAG).

Once the SEA FLAG has completed their assessment of the project application, they will forward their recommendations to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), who will be responsible for making the final decision.

SEA FLAG will advise applicants directly of their decisions on funding.

Project claims will be made using the online e-system portal. The SEA FLAG Admin Unit will be available to advise and support you in the claims process, for example by checking draft claims before formal submission on the online e-system portal.

All payments of claims will be made by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.