Minister McConalogue recently announced a new Brexit Adjustment Reserve grant scheme to assist coastal communities to overcome the impacts of Brexit and to grow and diversify local economies by promoting growth of the wider Blue Economy.
This scheme implements the recommendations of the Seafood Taskforce Report and the need for a targeted CLLD scheme to counteract some of the negative effects of Brexit on Irelands coastal communities and distribute grant aid through the existing FLAG structures.
The resulting Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme is now open for applications on the BIM website at https://bim.ie/fisheries/funding/brexit-blue-economy-enterprise-development-scheme/
With potential applicants making decisions now on training and upskilling courses to commence this Autumn, may I draw you attention to one section of the scheme.
Project Type 3 – Upskilling and Training
This aims to support individuals who wish to train or upskill into employment or gain promotion within the Blue Economy. Applicants who live or work within 10km of the coastline are eligible to apply for funding for accredited training or upskilling.
The course must be completed by 30 Sept 2023 and online applications must be submitted before the start date of the course.
Grant aid is available at 50% of course costs up to a maximum grant award of €10,000. Travel and subsistence are not eligible for grant aid.
For further information on the supports available in this scheme
Project type 1 Capital investment and Project Type 2 Business Mentoring and Capacity Building which are both aimed at helping businesses strengthen their operations please go to https://bim.ie/fisheries/funding/brexit-blue-economy-enterprise-development-scheme/
The Guidelines for Applicants to the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme contain guidance lists of eligible expenditure items under all three project types and offers assistance to applicants when making an application.
For the purpose of this scheme the Blue Economy consists of enterprises in the following 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
Please contact myself or Paul Downes paul.downes@bim.ie if you have any questions on this scheme.
Brenda O Riordan, Regional Development Officer South
BIM
M +353 87 3512327
E Brenda.oriordan@bim.ie