Updated last 26.03.2021
The program period for the implementation of this programme has expired. The preparation of the new programme for the period 2021 – 2027 is under way.
What is the Maritime and Fisheries Programme?
Maritime and Fisheries Programme 2014-2020 is co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the national budget. The EMFF is structured around four major pillars:
- smart, “green” fishing – reducing the discards of unwanted catches, sea environment friendly fishing, added value through innovation and sustainability of external factors;
- Smart, “green” aquaculture – economically sustainable and competitive business;
- Sustainable development of fisheries regions – reducing the decline in fishery dependent regions;
- Integrated maritime policy – through shared and direct governance, achieving maritime monitoring, sharing of data, governance of coastal zones.
The Programme is aimed at achieving the goals of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy of the EU. The following priorities are suitable for the business:
- Priority 1: Promoting environmentally sustainable, resource–efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge–based fisheries
The total budget of this priority is EUR 25 514 500 (BGN 49 902 025), with EUR 20 719 500 (BGN 40 523 820) being envisaged to support the business. The main elements of Priority 1 include:
– Diversification and new forms of income;
– Added value to products and unwanted catches;
– Health and safety on board;
– Fishing ports – without construction of new exchanges;
– Permanent cessasion of fishing activities;
– Measures related to improvement of the sea environment and reducing the harmful effect of fishing.
- Priority 2: Fostering environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based aquaculture
The total budget amounting to EUR 36 215 000 (BGN 70 830 384) is provided to the business for investments in aquacultures. The main elements of Priority 2 include:
– Development of new and modernisation of existing farms, including recirculation systems;
– New sustainable aquaculture farms;
– Biological aquacultures;
– Transition to bio aquacultures;
– Innovations.
- Priority 5: Fostering marketing and processing
Total funding under the Programme amounting to EUR 12 017 000 (BGN 23 503 209) is envisaged for the processing sector:
– Production plans and marketing – producer organisations;
– Marketing measures – national and regional campaigns, market surveys;
– Processing of fishing and aquaculture products;
– Introduction of new products and processes;
– Energy efficiency;
– Improvement of the working conditions.
| For more information | |
 | You can check any open call for proposals, including the terms of reference and terms for implementation of projects on the website of: The indicative annual programme for 2019 may be reviewed on the website of: |
How you can apply for a grant?
- You have to register in the UMIS system in order to create and submit a project proposal on a specific OPHRD call.
- The system is interactive and easy to work with. If you have any difficulties in submitting the project proposal, you may read the System Manual which is published in order to provide directions and facilitate the work of the users.
What is the deadline to apply under calls under the Programme?
You can apply to receive funding from the Programme depending on the deadlines for submission of project proposals set out in each call until the completion of the Operational Programme in 2020.
What are the expense eligibility requirements?
Beneficiaries have to follow expense eligibility rules set out in the Law for the Management of the Funds from the European Structural and Investment Fund and Decree No 189 of the Council of Ministers of 28 July 2016 on the Setting of National Rules on the Eligibility of Expenses under the Programmes Co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds for the Programming Period 2014 – 2020
 | Stage 1 |
Evaluation of the administrative compliance and eligibility – this evaluation addresses questions such as: are all required documents provided; is the project proposal properly filed; is there compliance with the specific eligibility criteria set out in the Terms of Reference, etc.
 | Stage 2 |
Technical and financial evaluation. The technical and financial evaluation is only performed with respect to project proposals that have passed successfully the evaluation of the administrative compliance and eligibility. At this stage the technical capacity of the participants, the environmental effect of the project, the compliance with the indicators and priorities set for the call, partnerships, etc. are evaluated.
| For more information | |
| Additional information regarding the Programme is available on the website of: |