Boat leaving Dingle harbour, Co Kerry, Ireland.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
Ireland has launched a new €15 million scheme to support economic development in Ireland’s coastal communities over the next five years.
Announced on 3 April by Ireland's Fisheries Minister Timmy Dooley, the FLAG Coastal Communities Development Scheme 2025–2029 is designed to promote community-led local development.
The funding priorities will be determined by Ireland's seven Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) that were formed in 2012 to promote the sustainable development of coastal and fishing communities.
Part of Ireland’s Seafood Development Programme, the initiative is co-funded by the Irish government and the European Union through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
“This scheme is intended to enhance the economic opportunities and social sustainability of areas dependent on fishing and aquaculture... [It is] aimed at supporting job creation, adding value, promoting innovation as well as enhancing their local environment and promoting each area’s maritime cultural heritage," explained Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, in an Irish government press release.
"Under the scheme, enterprises and initiatives in the fishing, aquaculture, and maritime related sectors can apply to their local FLAG for funding to support the delivery or expansion of their project," Heydon said.
In launching the scheme, Minister Dooley said he was "struck by the commitment that has been displayed for over a decade by FLAG Board Members, who give of their time on a voluntary basis. Their local knowledge, experience and engagement in their community is of such importance in delivering a funding programme that is truly community-led.”
“This scheme will build on the great work that has been done by the FLAG Boards, with the support of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, over the past 12 years. It will continue to support investment in the economic, social, environmental and cultural fabric of our coastal communities. The government is committed to providing the necessary supports for a thriving and vibrant blue economy that will provide economic opportunities for the many families living in coastal communities," Dooley added.
The scheme builds on the success of previous FLAG initiatives and the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme, which allocated over €13.2 million to 369 coastal-based projects during 2022 and 2023.
Applications for funding will open in the coming weeks through local FLAG Boards. Further details are available at www.fisherieslocalactiongroups.ie.
First established in 2012, Ireland's Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) are community-based partnerships that promote the sustainable development of coastal and fishing communities. Each FLAG develops a local strategy to guide funding decisions tailored to the needs of its area.
In Ireland, there are seven FLAG regions covering the entirety of the coastline: Northeast (Louth, Meath, Dublin), Southeast (Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford), South (Cork), Southwest (Kerry), West (Galway, Clare), Northwest (Mayo, Sligo), North (Donegal).
Each FLAG Board is composed of local stakeholders representing a diverse cross-section of the community, including members of the fishing and aquaculture industries, community groups, local business representatives, environmental organisations, and public sector bodies.
Ireland's seafood development agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) provides administrative support to the FLAG Boards. Each FLAG Board assesses the applications for funding in their area and selects the projects for funding, subject to the project meeting the relevant eligibility requirements.
