Building a sustainable future for fisheries and aquaculture

GOPA is helping to shape the future of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture across Europe through FAMENET, an initiative supporting the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Agriculture Fund (EMFAF). 

From 2021 to 2027, we are leading the monitoring, evaluation, and communication activities of FAMENET to ensure EU investments create real impact for communities, ecosystems and economies across Europe.  

FAMENET’s work is built on three core pillars: 

• Monitoring and Evaluation – Tracking progress and measuring the impact of EMFAF-funded initiatives to inform policy and decision-making.
• Community-led Local Development – Supporting Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) and community-based organisations in implementing sustainable development strategies.
• Communication – Strengthening outreach, knowledge exchange, and visibility through strategic storytelling, multimedia content, and EU-wide coordination.  

Data-driven analysis for stronger policies 

FAMENET combines and streamlines the previous support structures, providing the European Commission with the data, insights and tools needed to monitor progress, evaluate impact and refine policies.  

EMFAF is a cornerstone of the EU's commitment to fostering sustainable use of aquatic and maritime resources, With a budget of € 6.1 billion for 2021-2027, the Fund supports the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and promotes innovative solutions for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. To ensure that these funds are used effectively and deliver long-term impact, robust monitoring and evaluation processes are crucial.

Together with the rest of the consortium, we provide the European Commission and Member States with regular updates on the state of play of the EMFAF and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). By analysing complex datasets and generating meaningful insights to assess the progress of funded projects, we help to identify good practices and deliver strategic recommendations. Through tailored capacity-building activities, we provide Member States with the tools and methodologies they need to effectively monitor and evaluate the impact of their own projects. 

Where global expertise meets local knowledge

One of EMFAF’s key strategic goals is to empower local communities to take an active role in fisheries and aquaculture management through community-led local development efforts. 

GOPA supports the network of Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) and other community-based organisations to drive sustainable development strategies in fisheries areas. We facilitate cooperation between local groups, fostering the exchange of best practices, and providing technical assistance to ensure the CLLD strategies are well-aligned with EU sustainability objectives to ensure the long-term success of fisheries management and the blue economy.

Strengthening engagement, increasing visibility 

A sustainable future for European fisheries and aquaculture must be shaped by collaboration and communication. GOPA enhances EMFAF visibility by sharing compelling success stories, best practices, and key milestones through multimedia channels, including detailed reports, engaging videos, and targeted public outreach campaigns. We also support the INFORM EU network, which streamlines communication efforts across Member States.

Through FAMENET, GOPA is committed to helping to ensure that the EU’s maritime and fisheries policies create lasting benefits for communities, ecosystems, and economies across Europe.