Improving the implementation of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund in Spain

The Commission provided technical support for the implementation of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in Spain, after it had experienced substantial delays, affecting the fund’s absorption. Two key issues identified were the complex governance scheme, involving several players at national and regional levels, and the difficulty to apply the appropriate rules to the regional specificities.

The main objective of the technical support to the Spanish managing authority of the EMFF was to improve the authority’s management capacity and enhance the overall performance and use of the fund. The project provided recommendations and an action plan to reinforce the institutional capacities of the bodies involved in the management of the EMFF.