Funding

All applications must demonstrate that the proposal fits within one of the five themes of the FLAG Strategy and positively impacts the fishing dependent communities.

• Adding value, creating jobs, attracting young people and promoting innovation at all stages of the supply chain of fishery and aquaculture products
• Supporting diversification inside or outside commercial fisheries, lifelong learning and job creation in fisheries and aquaculture areas
• Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets of the fisheries and aquaculture areas, including operations to mitigate climate change
• Promoting social well-being and cultural heritage in fisheries and aquaculture areas, including fisheries, aquaculture and maritime cultural heritage
• Strengthen the role of fisheries communities in local development and governance of local fisheries resources and maritime activities

1. Site/new building acquisition (up to 10% of total project costs)
2. Site Preparation
3. The construction, or improvement of immovable property
4. Purchase of new machinery and equipment
5. Environmental improvements
6. Staffing costs directly attributable to project delivery
7. Provision/improvement of community visitor/cultural facilities
8. Costs relating directly to development of the project to application stage and prior to applying to the fund (up to 10% of total project costs)
9. Travel costs up to delivery of project
10. Non-Recoverable VAT
11. Marketing
12. Purchase/leasing of equipment up to delivery of project

1. Increases to the fishing effort of fishing vessels or their ability to find or catch fish
2. Exploratory Fishing
3. Transfer ownership of a business
4. Acquisition of an existing building
5. Leasing of equipment
6. Bank charges on accounts
7. Recoverable VAT
8. Staffing costs that are not directly attributable to project delivery
9. Ongoing staff (salary) costs
10. Any cost associated with meeting a legislative or statutory requirement
11. Training that is mandatory under statutory provision
12. Related research or studies carried out in respect of the project prior to the official project start date
13. Volunteer costs unless an in-kind contribution which may be considered eligible
14. Gifts and donations or competition prizes
15. Statutory responsibilities of Local Authorities – housing, health, social work, school (main curriculum) and higher education
16. Routine repairs and maintenance
17. Projects which are a continuation of an existing scheme or of other source of funding
18. Projects which merely replace an existing facility or scheme
19. Replacement investments i.e. new for old/like for like and maintenance costs for existing buildings, plant or equipment
20. Costs deemed to be a running cost or consumable, e.g., direct overheads, operating costs of premises, interest refinancing costs, overheads and insurance charges
21. Lease/Hire purchase of machinery and equipment
22. Purchasing mobile vehicles (eg tractors, trailers and vans) – except where it is of specialist nature required to meet business need and incapable of being used for any other purpose other than that for which the funded was awarded
23. Expenditure incurred or work commenced/goods purchased before approval from FLAG
24. Retail items
25. The purchase of any second hand equipment – except in exceptional circumstances