Germany: Evaluation of the German EMFAF programme's contribution to green and socio-economic transformation

Project Background:

The German European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme 2021–2027 supports the green and socio-economic transformation of fisheries and aquaculture, aligned with the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy. Priorities include lower CO₂ emissions, energy-efficient vessels, selective fishing methods, biodiversity protection, improved working conditions and generational renewal.

Sharp declines in Baltic cod and herring stocks make coastal fisheries diversification particularly urgent. Additional income from tourism, environmental education, conservation and scientific services, alongside processing and direct or regional marketing, is intended to strengthen business resilience.

The evaluation, carried out by M&E Factory and COFAD, examines implementation experience from 01.01.2021 to 31.12.2025, also drawing on earlier funding periods and the 2025 evaluation of German EMFAF implementation structures and processes.

Objectives:

• Assess the relevance and effectiveness of EMFAF support for green and socio-economic transformation, focusing on coastal fisheries diversification.
• Identify target-group support needs, funding gaps, administrative and regulatory constraints, and requirements for new financing instruments, taking account of the nine-point fisheries plan and the 2025 Fisheries Future Commission recommendations.
• Determine which diversification approaches strengthen income stability, employment and resilience in coastal fisheries, inland fisheries and aquaculture, and contribute to environmental and climate objectives. Examine successful approaches from other EU Member States and their transferability to Germany.
• Develop recommendations for the ongoing programme, its successor and Germany’s position on the future EMFAF Regulation.

Activities and/or Results:

• Theory-based evaluation: intervention logic and evaluation matrix.
• Document and monitoring-data review, online stakeholder survey, expert interviews and focus groups.
• Compilation of good practices in other EU Member States.
• Four case studies in coastal fisheries, inland fisheries and aquaculture, including four stakeholder interviews and one focus group each, Infosys analysis and recherche.
• Three digital workshops.
• Implementation concept, interim slide report, final evaluation report with recommendations, and digital closing presentation.