Guidance

Support for cooperative activities, building capability and advisory services

Updated 23 February 2024

1. Introduction

Funding in this area will support professional development and growth in coastal communities engaged within fishing, processing and aquaculture activities.

Funding can be applied for under the following measures:

• M17 Providing advisory services
• M18 Management, relief and advisory services for aquaculture farms
• M19 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking
• M20 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking for aquaculture
• M22 Supporting new entrants into the industry M25 Supporting co-operative activities
• M25 Supporting co-operative activities
• M26 Supporting allocation and management of fishing opportunities M31 Supporting partnerships between fishers and scientists
• M31 Supporting partnerships between fishers and scientists

Please note this information is for guidance only and is not exhaustive or binding. If you are unsure whether an item is eligible, please check the General Guidance and if you are still unsure contact the MMO.

2. Projects you can apply for

3. M17 Providing advisory services

3.1 Projects can include:

• Feasibility studies and advisory services that assess the viability of projects;
• The provision of professional advice on environmental sustainability, with a focus on limiting and, where possible, eliminating the negative impact of fishing activities on marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems;
• The provision of professional advice on business and marketing strategies.
• Feasibility studies, advisory services and advice referred to above must be provided by scientific, academic, professional or technical bodies, or entities providing economic advice that have the required competencies, as recognised by the MMO.

3.2 Funding will not be provided for:

• Feasibilities studies, advisory services and advice provided by entities without the required competencies, as recognised by the MMO, will not be eligible for funding.

3.3 Result indicators

FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M17, Providing advisory services, the following indicators are applicable:

3.4 M17 Providing advisory services

Indicator	Information you must provide
Change in net profits	Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years.
The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success.
Employment maintained (FTE) in the fisheries sector or complementary activities	Number of employees working in your business before the project. Expected number of employees working in your business after the project.
The expected and actual change in number of employees will be used to determine the project’s success.
Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents	The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project.
The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success.

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.

4. M18 Management, relief and advisory services for aquaculture farms

4.1 Projects can include:

• The setting-up of management relief (providing recovery support), and advisory services for aquaculture farms, including support for industry disruption
• Assistance with development of marketing and business strategies

Support referred to above can be granted to spouses of self-employed fishers or, where and in so far as recognised by national law, the life partners of self-employed fishers.

4.2 Funding will not be provided for:

• Running costs of advisory providers.

4.3 Result indicators

FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M18, Management, relief and advisory services for aquaculture farms, the following indicators are applicable

4.4 M18 Management, relief and advisory services for aquaculture farms

Indicator	Information you must provide
Changes in the annual volume of production (tonnes)	Total annual volume of aquaculture production (tonnes), before the project. Total expected annual volume of aquaculture production (tonnes), after the project. Company accounts for the last 3 years.
The expected and actual change in annual volume of production will be used to determine the project’s success.
Change in the annual value of production (£)	Current annual value of production (£) before the project. Expected annual value of production (£) after the project. Company accounts for the last 3 years.
The expected and actual change in annual value of production will be used to determine the project’s success.
Change in net profits	Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years.
The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indictor to demonstrate the benefits of your project

5. M19 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking

5.1 Projects can include:

• Delivery of and attendance at non-mandatory professional training and lifelong learning, including resilience planning and the skills to support businesses to adapt to new trading conditions;
• Joint projects and the dissemination of knowledge (economic, technical, regulatory, scientific, or of innovative practices);
• Educational activities to develop the skill and awareness lacking among companies to successfully identify or navigate the technical complexities of seafood trading conditions outside the EU;
• The acquisition of new professional skills, in particular linked to the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems;
• Knowledge, awareness and the dissemination of health, safety, and hygiene activities in the maritime sector.
• The acquisition of new professional skills in aquaculture which will support reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture activities;
• Training fishers to engage with the Joint Fisheries Statement and the Secretary of State Statement, and the development of Fisheries Management Plans;
• Networking and exchange of experiences and best practices between stakeholders, including among organisations promoting equal opportunities between men and women, promoting the role of women in fishing communities and promoting under-represented groups involved in small-scale coastal fishing or in on-foot fishing;
• Improving the capacity for fishers, social partners and other relevant stakeholders to collectively engage at a national, regional or local level;
• Support referred to above can be granted to spouses of self-employed fishers or, where and in so far as recognised by national law, the life partners of self-employed fishers.

5.2 Result indicators

FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M19, Promoting skills, knowledge and networking, the following indicators are applicable

5.3 M19 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking

Indicator	Information you must provide
Dissemination activities undertaken	Information on which of the following best describes your project: 1. Social dialogue - National; 2. Social dialogue - Regional; 3.Social dialogue - Local; 4. Networking; 5. Exchange of best practice between stakeholders; 6. Training programmes Number of activities, events, meetings or training programmes you expect to undertake. Number of participants expected to be involved in these activities, events, meetings or training programmes.
The number of expected and actual participants involved in the project will be used to determine its success.
Training days funded	Total number of training days expected to be created as a result of your project. Schedule of expected training dates. Number of participants expected to be involved in training.
The number of expected and actual training days and participants will be used to determine the project’s success
Employment maintained (FTE) in the fisheries sector or complementary activities	Number of employees working in your business before the project. Expected number of employees working in your business after the project.
The expected and actual change in number of employees will be used to determine the project’s success.
Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents	The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project.
The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success.

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

6. M20 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking in aquaculture

6.1 Projects can include:

• Professional training, lifelong learning, the dissemination of scientific and technical knowledge and innovative practices;
• The acquisition of new professional skills in aquaculture with regard to the reduction of the environmental impact of aquaculture activities.

6.2 Result indicators

FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M20 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking in aquaculture:

6.3 M20 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking in aquaculture

Indicator	Information you must provide
Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents	The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project.
The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success.
Employment maintained (FTE)	Number of employees working in your business before the project. Expected number of employees working in your business after the project.
The expected and actual change in number of employees will be used to determine the project’s success.

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project

7. M22 Supporting new entrants into the industry

7.1 Projects can include:

• Supporting new entrants into the industry where there are opportunities;
• The creation of job opportunities specifically for new entrants into the fishing industry;
• Lifelong learning for new entrants into the fishing industry;
• Provision of apprenticeship schemes for new entrants into the fishing industry; *Support for new entrants to develop sustainable practices in a new business.

7.2 Funding will not be provided for:

Funding will not be provided for projects where the primary focus does not relate to attracting, encouraging, supporting new entrants into the fishing industry.

7.3 Result indicators

FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M22, Supporting new entrants into the industry, the following indicators are applicable:

7.4 M22 Supporting new entrants into the industry

Indicator	Information you must provide
Change in net profits	Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years.
The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success
Change in the number of work-related injuries and accidents	The number of work-related injuries and accidents in the past 12 months, before the project.
The change in work related injuries and accidents will be used to determine the project’s success.
Employment maintained (FTE) in the fisheries sector or complementary activities	Number of employees working in your business before the project. Expected number of employees working in your business after the project.
The expected and actual change in number of employees will be used to determine the project’s success.

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.

8. M25 Supporting co-operative activities

M25 supports the establishment, maintenance and implementation of local groups and co-operatives whose purpose is to provide support, information sharing and transfer of best practice between businesses and local communities engaged in fishing and aquaculture activities, including the diversification of activities into other sectors of maritime economy.

8.1 Projects can include:

• Support to enable Local Authorities or regional groups to scope and develop plans to boost fisheries or aquaculture in their local area
• Support to equip stakeholders with the resource or skills to participate in co-design and management. This includes the funding for the facilitation of Fisheries Management Plans.
• Activities focused on capacity building, training and networking with a view to preparing and implementing a local group or co-operative.
• Support for setting up data sharing agreements between businesses to enable sharing of information and best practice.
• Information campaigns via: events, meetings, leaflets, website, social media, or press.
• Exchanges with stakeholders, community groups and potential project promoters to generate ideas and build trust and confidence.
• Support for community organisations and the creation or strengthening of community structures.

8.2 Funding will not be provided for:

• Projects where the primary focus does not relate to establishing or facilitating local groups or cooperatives within the seafood sector.

8.3 Result indicators

FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M25 Supporting co-operative activities, the following indicators are applicable:

8.4 M25 Co-operative activities

Indicator	Information you must provide
Employment maintained (FTE) in the fisheries sector or complementary activities	Number of employees working for the group/ cooperative Expected number of employees working for the group / cooperative.
The expected and actual change in number of employees will be used to determine the project’s success.
Number of businesses created	Total number of businesses expected to be created as a result of your project.
The number of expected and actual businesses created will be used to determine the project’s success.

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.

9. M26 Supporting allocation and management of fishing opportunities

9.1 Projects can include:

• The design, development trial, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of systems for the allocation and management of fishing opportunities.

Support referred to above can be granted to public authorities, legal or natural persons or recognised organisations of fishers, including producer organisations.

9.2 Result indicators

FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M26, Supporting allocation and management of fishing opportunities, the following indicators are applicable:

9.3 M26 Supporting allocation and management of fishing opportunities

Indicator	Information you must provide
Change in net profits	Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years.
The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.

10. M31 Supporting partnerships between fishers and scientists

10.1 Projects can include:

• The creation of networks, partnership agreements or associations between one or more scientific bodies and fishers, or one or more organisations of fishers, anglers or other groups, in which scientific bodies participate;
• Development and adoption (eg. via trials) of new or substantially improved behaviours, products equipment, processes and techniques which have been developed by scientists/research bodies;
• Development of successful initiatives into wide-scale solutions and partnerships within the industry
• The activities carried out in these networks, partnership agreements, or association;
• Increasing the knowledge of the health and status of fish stocks;
• Increasing the number of fishers involved in research and data collection and sharing good practice;
• Sector participation in monitoring trials to evaluate the role of REM in sustainable fisheries management.
• Supporting industry / science collaborations, which enable baseline data and monitoring of new fisheries (biological, economic and social) to be recorded;
• Support for cooperative activities that will benefit more than one organisation/business, a community or improve facilities, or the value chain for a part of the industry;
• Improving evidence and data collection on the abundance, distribution and life history parameters for data limited species and non-quota species;
• Assessing the impacts of policy interventions on the fishing fleets (e.g. spatial impacts such as displacement, landing obligation, economic and social impacts);
• Assessing the environmental impacts of fishing on protected habitats and species (particularly those with less well understood food web interactions);
• Research into new fisheries dependant data collection methods;
• Tools to communicate science and evidence to stakeholders.

10.2 Result indicators

FaSS result indicators have been designed to measure the benefits delivered by a project. Result indicators are specific to the type of project you are applying for. For projects under M31, Supporting partnerships between fishers and scientists, the following indicators are applicable:

10.3 M31 Supporting partnerships between fishers and scientists

Indicator	Information you must provide
Change in net profits	Current profit (£) Expected profit (£) after the project Company accounts for the last 3 years.
The expected and actual change in net profits will be used to determine the project’s success

Not all FaSS result indicators will be applicable to your project. You will be asked to choose the most suitable indicator to demonstrate the benefits of your project.

Once the project is complete you will be required to provide evidence as part of post project monitoring to show the actual benefits achieved by your project.

11. Funding available

The minimum and maximum funding available for measures relating to partnerships, advisory services and training are outlined below:

11.1 Limits of Funding Available in FaSS Measures

FaSS Measure	Minimum Grant Value Available (£)	Maximum Grant Value Available (£)
M17 Providing advisory services	500	100,000
M18 Management, relief and advisory services for aquaculture farms	500	70,000
M19 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking	500	100,000
M20 Promoting skills, knowledge and networking in aquaculture	500	100,000
M22 Supporting new entrants into the industry	500	100,000
M25 Supporting co-operative activities	500	250,000
M26 Supporting allocation and management of fishing opportunities	500	50,000
M31 Supporting partnerships between fishers and scientists	500	80,000

Every project will require a level of match funding. The level of funding you are required to provide will depend on your business or organisation type.

It is your responsibility to source and provide match funding, such as business loans or cash resources. You must state the source of funding when applying. Before committing any private resources, we recommend you seek independent financial advice.

The amount of money you can apply for will depend on your business or organisation type. There are maximum allocations allowed for each applicant are outlined below:

Applicant Type	Fass%	Match Funding
Public	75	25
Private (Micro Entity)	60	40
Private (SME)	50	50
Private (Non-SME)	30	70
Private (SSCF)	80	20
Private (Fishermen’s Associations)	75	25
Private (PO’s)	75	25

Grant Rates Key:

SSCF - Small scale coastal fishing – vessels under 12m and not using towed gear;
PO - Producer Organisation;
SME - Small and medium enterprises;