Germany, February 2026: M&E Factory and COFAD are evaluating the EMFAF’s contribution to transformation.

The German programme under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021–2027 supports, amongst other things, the reduction of CO₂ emissions, the protection of biodiversity, adaptation to climate change and other changes in the operating environment, as well as improved working conditions. Against this backdrop, the fund’s contribution to the sector’s transformation is to be examined.

The transformation evaluation will run from February to December 2026 under the leadership of M&E Factory. It will examine implementation experiences from 2021 to 2025 and assess the relevance and effectiveness of the funding. In doing so, funding needs, financing gaps and administrative and regulatory barriers will be analysed.

The study will utilise document and monitoring data analyses, an online survey, expert interviews and focus groups. Four case studies in coastal fisheries, inland fisheries and aquaculture, as well as examples of good practice from other EU Member States, will complement the investigation. The findings will result in recommendations for the current programme, its successor and Germany’s position on the future EMFAF Regulation.