Lesley Griffiths MS, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
A total of £14 million of EU funding was allocated to Wales under the EMFF 2014 – 2020.
The programme is delivered by Rural Payments Wales (RPW) and as of today commitment level stands at just under 80%, with over £11.3 million grant awards issued to 214 projects across Wales. A further £2.8 million worth of projects are currently under consideration.
Whilst the official programme period ends on 31 December 2020, the programme will continue to operate and draw down EU funding for the remaining three years as agreed under the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020.
To ensure the programme delivers to budget and against the objectives set out within the UK Operational Programme, I have decided to close the EMFF programme to ad-hoc project proposals on 31 December 2020.
The ad-hoc application process will be replaced by ‘Expression of Interest’ application windows under specific selection criteria, for the remaining funding available under the EMFF.
In closing the programme to ad-hoc applications, I can ensure the remaining EMFF budget is focused on COVID-19 recovery and other Welsh Government priorities for the marine and fisheries sector after the end of the Transition Period.
Further details on the revised application approach will be announced by RPW in due course.