A pre-financing mechanism for sustainable small-scale fishing
Although they represent 84% of the fishing fleet in the Mediterranean, artisanal fishermen rarely benefit from European funding. The lack of initial capital, the difficulty in accessing bank loans and the strong need for technical assistance in the constitution of their applications for aid are all obstacles to accessing subsidies.
With WWF Mediterranean, we are currently working on the construction of a pre-financing mechanism to provide fishers with initial capital and technical assistance to assist them in their applications for aid from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
Phase 0
Preparatory phase
- Identification of the countries concerned
- Definition of specific modalities (work schedule, steps, etc.)
- Building the network of partners
Phase 1
Legal study
- Legal feasibility study of the pre-financing mechanism
- Study carried out by a consortium of French, Spanish, Italian and Croatian law firms
- Inventory of EMFF procedures in each country
Phase 2
Testing of the pre-financing mechanism
- Calls for expression of interest to artisanal fishers
- Information meetings with the Flags and other stakeholders
- Deployment of the test phase with selected fishers
- Evaluation of the results of the test phase
Phase 3
Structuring of the pre-financing mechanism
- Creation of a permanent pre-financing mechanism to promote the transition of artisanal fishing in the Mediterranean Sea towards more sustainable fishing
Facilitating access to innovative financing mechanisms (micro-credits, impact investing, national and international financial partnerships)
Generating a specific local dynamic, that reaches beyond simple conservation issues, and revitalises neglected communities
Demonstrating effective quantitative and qualitative results measured through the use of specific impact indicators
