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FLAG Coastal Communities Development Scheme

A grant of 50% to 80% of the cost of a project within 10km of the coast, depending on who is applying and what the project is. Each FLAG region sets its own cap per application and a limit on the total project value. These are the rates from the call that closed on 29 January 2026.

Last checked October 2026

What it is

FLAG funding from the seven Fisheries Local Action Groups, run with BIM, for projects within 10km of the coast that help a coastal community, coastal town, fishing harbour or island. Who may qualify: a community group or charity near the sea; a micro or small business in seafood, niche coastal or marine tourism such as sea angling, marine sport and leisure or marine industry, including the owner of a fishing boat; a small-scale coastal fishing vessel owner, so inshore fishermen and women with small boats of up to 12 metres; a fisheries co-op; or an individual paying for training. Projects must fit the local FLAG's strategy. It does not pay for repairs and maintenance, new ports, buying or building fishing boats or replacing a boat's engine. The last call offered 50% to 80% of the cost, with caps set by each FLAG region. It closed at 5pm on 29 January 2026. BIM said on 31 August 2026 that the next round opens in October, but no date has been published yet and on 13 October 2026 the scheme page still listed the next call as TBC. BIM says over €6 million in FLAG grants went to 212 organisations over the last two years, for projects from seafood processing and marine services to visitor attractions, environmental work and community initiatives. Successful projects from the last call must be finished and claimed by 31 October 2026 or by the date in their letter of offer.

Who can get it

A community group registered with the Companies Registration Office or a charity registered with the Charities Regulator: 80% for a public good project, 50% for a private one
A micro or small business in seafood, niche coastal tourism, marine sport and leisure or marine industry: 50%. It must be independent (not part of a larger group), with fewer than 50 full-time staff and turnover or balance sheet under €10 million. This includes the owner of a larger fishing boat. If the project supports a fishing boat's operations, Sea Fisheries Protection Authority records must show the boat is actively fishing
A small-scale coastal fishing vessel owner, for a project on the vessel, the catch or the product: 80%. You must not have an interest in any fishing vessel or business that is not small-scale. Sea Fisheries Protection Authority records must also show the boat is actively fishing (sales notes for boats under 10 metres, at least 60 days of logbook fishing for boats of 10 to 12 metres). If you do not meet these tests you may still apply as a business at 50%, but a project on the boat still needs it to pass the fishing activity test
A fisheries co-operative or collective recognised by BIM and registered with the Companies Registration Office: 60%
An individual living or working within 10km of the coast, for training only: 50%
The project must be within 10km of the coast in one of the seven FLAG regions and fit that FLAG's Local Development Strategy. A FLAG can make an exception for a project further inland only in exceptional circumstances

Good to know

The last call ran from midday on 25 November 2025 to 5pm on 29 January 2026. BIM said on 31 August 2026 that the next round opens in October. On 13 October 2026 the scheme page still showed it as closed with the next call TBC, so the rates and rules here may change for the next call.
There are seven FLAG regions: North (Donegal), North West (Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim), West (Galway, Clare), South West (Kerry, Limerick), South (Cork), South East (Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford) and North East (Louth, Meath, Dublin).
Each region sets its own cap per application and a limit on the total project value. In the last call the caps ranged from €5,000 for an individual's training in some regions to €300,000 in the North East, so check your region's page on bim.ie.
It is competitive. Every eligible application is scored and ranked. As budgets are limited, even a project that scores well may not be funded.
Do not spend anything before BIM acknowledges your application, because spending before that date is not eligible. Spending after the acknowledgement but before a letter of offer is at your own risk, since you may not be offered a grant.
It cannot pay for building new ports or auction halls (new landing sites are the exception), repair and maintenance, like-for-like replacements, second-hand items, land, vehicles for passenger transport or office equipment.
For fishing boats it cannot pay for anything that adds fishing capacity or helps find fish, for buying, building or importing a fishing vessel or for replacing or modernising its engine. Work on board a boat that fished fewer than 60 days in the two calendar years before you apply is not eligible either.
Anything eligible under another Seafood Development Programme scheme is not funded here. BIM tells small-scale coastal fishing vessel owners to look at its separate Small-Scale Coastal Fishers Scheme and its Fleet Safety Scheme first.
Some regions rule out more. FLAG South West excludes kayaks, jet skis, vans and new or re-engined marine tourism boats. FLAG South excludes playgrounds and outboard engines. FLAG West excludes accommodation projects.
An individual must apply before the training starts and before paying any fees. In the last call travel and subsistence were not covered and evidence of accreditation was needed by 31 December 2026.
VAT is not covered, except for a community group that has a letter from Revenue confirming it cannot recover VAT.

Where to start

On 13 October 2026 no call was open. Read the Guidelines for Applicants and your FLAG region's page on bim.ie, check that your project is within 10km of the coast and get supplier quotes and proof of address ready. When a call opens, you apply on the BIM Grants Portal. Do not buy anything before BIM acknowledges your application. Questions go to the BIM Grant Help Desk at grantshelpdesk@bim.ie.

Go to the official page →

Checked against the official source on 13 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.

Questions people ask

Is the FLAG scheme open now?

Not as of 13 October 2026. The last call ran from midday on 25 November 2025 to 5pm on 29 January 2026. BIM said on 31 August 2026 that the next round opens in October, but the scheme page still lists the next call as TBC and no date has been published. Check the BIM page for the opening date.

How much can a FLAG grant pay?

In the last call, 80% for community groups and charities on public good projects and for small-scale coastal fishing vessel owners, 60% for fisheries co-ops and 50% for small businesses, private community or charity projects and individuals' training. Each region set its own cap per application, from €5,000 to €300,000 depending on the region and the type of applicant.

Can a community group get FLAG funding?

It may qualify if it is registered with the Companies Registration Office or is a charity registered with the Charities Regulator. The project must be within 10km of the coast in a FLAG region and fit that FLAG's Local Development Strategy. Public good projects got 80% in the last call and private projects 50%.

Which areas do the FLAGs cover?

Seven regions, each covering projects within 10km of the coast: North (Donegal), North West (Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim), West (Galway, Clare), South West (Kerry, Limerick), South (Cork), South East (Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford) and North East (Louth, Meath, Dublin).

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