Deadline: 15-Aug-23
The Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is currently seeking applications for its Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme to counter the adverse economic and social consequences of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on businesses operating in the blue economy and located in communities within 10km of the coastline.
Projects
- Capital Investment: Projects that support capital investment by enterprises engaged in the blue economy. These investments will enable innovation, diversification, value-adding, and will allow enterprises to increase employment and support the evolution of enterprises through scaling-up. The Scheme will prioritise enterprises that are directly involved in inshore fisheries and/or are classified as micro businesses. The scheme will also prioritise those that are purchasing equipment that supports entrepreneurial initiatives that build economic, social and environmental sustainability within coastal communities.
- Business Mentoring and Capacity Development: Business mentoring and capacity development projects will support businesses or individuals engaged in the blue economy to develop their businesses and allow them to maximise current and future opportunities as well as allowing them to adapt to the new market realities and opportunities post-Brexit.
- Upskilling and Training: With the projected loss of employment from the fishing industry arising from the TCA (Trade and Cooperation Agreement), upskilling and training will support individuals to make use of their existing skills and knowledge gained through a lifetime spent in the marine sector. Upskilling and training will allow them to develop new skills that will enable them to exploit complementary economic opportunities in the blue economy. Upskilling and training will also cover digital literacy giving businesses or individuals the skills and ability to connect with and exploit the opportunities of the increasingly digital-first world.
Eligibility Criteria
- Project Type 1 and 2
- Initiatives proposed by applicants must be located within 10km of the coastline, excluding metropolitan electoral districts.
- Applications must have a demonstrable connection to the blue economy and must be within one of the following blue economy sectors:
- Small Non-Commercial Harbour/Pier Activities
- Boat Building and Repair
- Coastal Tourism
- Marine Leisure and Sport
- Seafood
- Renewable Energy Initiatives supporting the Blue Economy
- Applicant must be an entrepreneurial initiative
- Applicant must be a micro or small enterprise
- Project Type 3
- Any persons who live or work within 10km of the coastline.
- Applicants for Type 3 projects are not required, where the training facilitates entry into the blue economy, to demonstrate an existing link to the blue economy.
For more information, visit BIM.
For more information, visit https://bim.ie/fisheries/funding/brexit-blue-economy-enterprise-development-scheme/#project1