FaSS: new panel dates announced
31st May 2022
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has confirmed the first panel dates for the relaunched Fisheries and Seafood Scheme (FaSS), and is now inviting applications from the industry.
The grant scheme, administered by the MMO on behalf of Defra, was relaunched in April to help support the ‘long-term sustainability, resilience and prosperity’ of the seafood sector across England. It will deliver £6m per year in funding until April 2025.
The new-look scheme aims to build on the success of last year’s FaSS funding round, which supported more than 550 projects across a range of seafood and marine businesses, charities and other organisations.
Improvements this year include ‘simplified guidance, enhanced levels of funding for micro-entities, and funding that is better targeted at the sector’s needs’, says the MMO.
The scheme will continue to match-fund projects that ‘boost business resilience and increase sustainability’ across the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors.
Applications are invited from projects with a total cost of more than £150,000. These will be considered by the FaSS panel, which is responsible for reviewing and recommending projects in line with the overall objectives of the scheme.
Michelle Willis, director of finance and resources at the MMO, said: “Building on the success of year one, the relaunched FaSS is already attracting a lot of interest from the industry, and we are delighted to announce the first panel dates for applications with a total project cost of more than £150,000.
“The scheme aims to support the long-term sustainability and success of the seafood sector throughout England, and we encourage potential applicants to act now and get in touch. Our Grants Team is here to support you through the process.”
The panels for 2022 are expected to take place in the week commencing 22 August and week commencing 28 November. Applications to be considered at these sessions should be submitted to the MMO by 1 July and 7 October respectively.
You can contact the MMO Grants Team on 0208 026 5539 to discuss any potential application or click here for guidance and information on how to make an application.
This story was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. For more up-to-date and in-depth reports on the UK and Irish commercial fishing sector, subscribe to Fishing News here or buy the latest single issue for just £3.30 here.
