1. Task 1.2
Review existing and new financing instruments relevant for MSFD implementation

2. Implementation MSFD Financing = crucial success factor Article 22
“Given the priority inherently attached to the establishment of marine strategies, the implementation of this Directive shall be supported by existing Community financial instruments in accordance with applicable rules and conditions. The programmes drawns up by the MS shall be co-financed by the EU in accordance with existing financial instruments”
>> MS will need to address own resources and EU funding
>> need for guidance to optimal use of funding

3. Overview of funding opportunities
The following instruments have been screened for available financial resources and thematic priorities, related to MSFD measures typology:
Barcelona Convention
Black Sea Convention
Cohesion Fund
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
European Regional Development Fund
European Social Fund
The EU Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7)
HELCOM
Horizon2020
International Financial Institutions
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance II
Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)
OSPAR
Overview of funding opportunities

4. Relevance for MSFD

5. Priority areas:
Article 6 (1): Promoting a sustainable and resource efficient fisheries and aquaculture, focusing on:
(a) reduction of the impact of fisheries on the marine environment;
(b) protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems;
(c) enhancement of ecosystems related to aquaculture and promotion of resource efficient aquaculture;
(d) promotion of aquaculture with high level of environmental protection and of animal health and welfare and of public health and safety.
EMFF

6. EMFF Available resources: Types of measures funded, e.g.:
Shared management: €5.800 mio.
Direct management: €1.000 mio.
The max. EMFF contribution rate is 75% of the eligible public expenditure, min. is 20%.
Types of measures funded, e.g.:
Art 35: …support to conservation measures under MSFD…;
Art 36: …Innovation linked to the conservation of marine biological resources…;
Art 37: … investments in equipment to limit the impact of fishing on the marine environment…;
Art 38: …Protection and restoration of marine biodiversity and ecosystems in the framework of sustainable fishing activities…;
Art 41: …Investments in facilities for waste and marine litter collection in ports…;
Art 79 (c): …knowledge on the state of the marine environment to establish monitoring and POMs in MSFD…
EMFF

7. LIFE Priority areas: "LIFE consists of two subprogrammes:
Environment and
Climate Action.
Most relevant for MSFD is the subprogramme of Environment. This subprogramme has three priority areas:
Environment and Resource Efficiency
Nature and Biodiversity
Environmental Governance and Information."
LIFE

8. LIFE Available resources: Types of measures funded, e.g.:
Environment: € mio.
min 55% to support nature conservation and biodiversity;
max 30% to integrated projects, making it possible to achieve results in other policy areas, in particular MSFD
Types of measures funded, e.g.:
Water: activities for the implementation of the POMs.
Waste: activities for the implementation and development of Union waste legislation, with particular emphasis on the first steps of the Union waste hierarchy (prevention, re-use and recycling).
Nature: activities aimed at conservation of habitats and species, including marine habitats and species.
(a) Information, communication and awareness raising campaigns
(b) Support of effective control process as well as measures to comply to Union environmental legislation
LIFE

9. ERDF
Priority areas:
strengthening research, technological development and innovation;
enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs (by facilitating the economic exploitation of new ideas and fostering the creation of new firms);
supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors;
promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management;
protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency;
promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures;
promoting employment and supporting labour mobility.

10. ERDF Available resources: Convergence regions € 162,6 bn.
Transition regions € 39 bn.
Competitiveness regions € 53,1 bn.
Territorial cooperation € 11,7 bn.
Cohesion Fund € 68,7 bn.
Types of measures funded, e.g.:
Research and Innovation applied to fishery/maritime sector
Addressing the significant needs for investment in the waste and water sectors to meet the requirements of the environmental acquis;
protecting biodiversity, soil protection and promoting ecosystem services including NATURA 2000 and green infrastructures.
ERDF

11. Horizon 2020 Priority areas:
Funding will focus on the following challenges:
Health, demographic change and wellbeing;
Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the Bioeconomy;
Secure, clean and efficient energy;
Smart, green and integrated transport;
Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials;
Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies;
Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.
Available resources:
Blue Growth indicative budget:
2014: €100 mio.
2015: €45 mio.
Horizon 2020

12. Horizon 2020 Types of measures funded, e.g.:
Sustainable exploitation of the diversity of marine life:
2014: valuing and mining marine biodiversity;
2015: preservation and sustainable exploitation of marine ecosystems and climate change effects on marine living resources.
Offshore challenges:
2014: support action (CSA) preparing potential large –scale offshore initiatives (one initiative focuses on sub-sea technologies);
2015: large scale initiative on response to oil spill and maritime pollution.
Ocean observation systems/technologies:
2014: novel monitoring systems for in-situ observations will be supported + acoustic and imaging technologies.
Horizon 2020

13. Next steps Establishing guidance for co-financing of MSFD measures.
Selection of relevant financing instruments
Review of existing examples of funding guidance
Filling in the guide
The Guide should give very practical advice on the scope of the funding and the administrative requirements.
In the WG ESA meeting (1-3 April 2014) a set-up of the guide for co-financing will be presented and discussed, combined with step 1 as mentioned above (selection of relevant financing instruments).
Next steps