Apply for EMFAF: Actions Addressing Marine Litter Program (Malta)

Deadline: 14-Sep-2026

The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Call 20 supports projects in Malta that protect and restore aquatic biodiversity by removing lost fishing gear and marine litter from the sea. The call also supports measures that prevent marine pollution, improve marine environmental quality, and strengthen infrastructure for receiving and managing collected fishing gear and marine waste. Projects receive 70% EU funding and 30% Malta funding. Eligible applicants include public authorities, local councils, fishers, fishing cooperatives, NGOs, research institutions and other eligible entities with the capacity to implement marine conservation projects in Malta.

About EMFAF Call 20

EMFAF Call 20 is implemented under Specific Objective 1.6: “Contributing to the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems.” The call addresses marine pollution caused by lost fishing equipment and other marine litter. It is particularly relevant to projects that retrieve abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear from the marine environment. The programme is aligned with Malta’s environmental priorities, including the Single Use Plastic Products Strategy 2021–2030 and the Prioritised Action Framework for Natura 2000 in Malta 2021–2027. What Does the Call Support? The funding supports activities that directly contribute to cleaner seas, biodiversity conservation and the restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Strengthen prevention and collection systems for future marine litter. The call also places importance on long-term sustainability. Applicants should demonstrate that project benefits can continue after EU funding ends. Who Is Eligible? The call is open to a broad range of organisations and entities capable of delivering eligible marine conservation activities in Malta.

Potential applicants include:

Public authorities and public entities. Local councils. Individual fishers. Small-scale coastal fishers. Fishing cooperatives. Fishing associations. NGOs working in marine protection, fisheries or nature conservation. Research organisations and institutions. Entities involved in marine research, studies or assessments. Other eligible organisations meeting the programme requirements. Applicants must have sufficient administrative, technical and organisational capacity to implement the proposed project. Where applicable, fisheries-related applicants must comply with relevant Common Fisheries Policy requirements. Applicant Requirements Applicants must demonstrate that they have the capacity and authority to undertake the proposed activities.

Key requirements include:

Adequate administrative capacity. Appropriate technical expertise and resources. Sufficient organisational capacity. A clear organisational mandate for the proposed activities. Compliance with applicable eligibility requirements. Compliance with relevant fisheries regulations where applicable. Financial capacity to provide the required co-financing. Ability to implement and manage the project effectively. No applicable exclusion situation. Projects must be implemented in Malta or directly benefit the Republic of Malta. Eligible Project Locations Projects must have a clear connection to Malta.

Eligible projects must either:

Be implemented within the Republic of Malta; or Directly benefit Malta and its marine environment. Applicants should clearly explain the geographic scope of their project and identify the marine areas, ports, coastal locations or other relevant sites affected by the proposed intervention.

Partner Organisations

Partnerships are permitted where collaboration provides clear additional value

Partners should have defined roles and responsibilities, and the application should explain: Why each partner is needed. What expertise each partner contributes. How responsibilities will be divided. How the partnership improves project delivery. How the partners will benefit from or contribute to the project. Simply including partners without demonstrating their added value may weaken the proposal. How to Apply Applicants should prepare their application around the specific objective and eligible operations identified in the call.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

First, applicants should determine whether their organisation and proposed activities meet the EMFAF eligibility requirements.

Check:

Applicant eligibility. Project location. Eligible activities. Fisheries-related regulatory requirements. Administrative capacity. Technical resources. Financial capacity. Co-financing requirements.

Step 2: Define the Marine Problem

Clearly identify the environmental problem the project will address.

For example, applicants could document:

Lost fishing gear. Marine litter accumulation. Single-use plastic pollution. Risks to marine habitats. Pollution or contamination. Gaps in marine litter collection infrastructure. The problem statement should be supported by relevant evidence wherever possible.

Step 3: Develop the Project Activities

Explain precisely what the project will do. Activities could include retrieving lost fishing gear, collecting marine litter, transporting recovered materials, establishing reception infrastructure or implementing prevention measures. Each activity should have a clear connection to aquatic biodiversity protection and restoration.

Step 4: Demonstrate Environmental Impact

Applicants should explain the expected environmental results.

Useful indicators could include:

Quantity of fishing gear removed. Quantity of marine litter collected. Number of collection operations. Areas of marine environment covered. Amount of pollution prevented. Number of participating fishers or organisations. Improvements in waste reception or management capacity.

Step 5: Prepare the Financial Plan

The application should provide a realistic project budget.

Applicants should demonstrate:

Eligible project expenditure. EU contribution. Malta or other required contribution. Availability of co-financing. Valu