Lithuanian Fisheries Sector Programme 2021–2027

The Lithuanian Fisheries Sector Programme 2021–2027 aims to promote sustainable fisheries, sustainable aquaculture and the development of the blue economy, while ensuring the protection and restoration of aquatic biological resources.

The total budget of the Programme amounts to EUR 82.458 million, of which EUR 57.72 million is financed from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), with the remaining share provided from the national budget.

The Programme is an important instrument for ensuring the sustainable development of Lithuania’s fisheries sector by creating the conditions for economic growth, environmental protection and the well-being of communities.

More information on funding opportunities and the latest updates is available on the National Paying Agency’s (NPA) website: www.paramazuvininkystei.lt.

The Lithuanian Fisheries Sector Programme 2021–2027 comprises 24 measures.

In 2025 project implementation plans and applications for compensation were collected under 14 measures, of which the most popular measure was “Implementation of Local Development Strategies (Implementation of Local Projects)”. Under this measure 66 project implementation plans were received in 2025.

Across all measures of the Lithuanian Fisheries Sector Programme 2021–2027, 148 project implementation plans and applications for compensation were received in 2025, while EUR 12.5 million was disbursed.

During the first five years of implementation of the Programme, nearly EUR 19.5 million in support was disbursed, accounting for 23.6% of the total Programme allocation.

Fisheries Local Action Groups

Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), in cooperation with local communities, municipal authorities and business representatives, identify local priorities, prepare Local Development Strategies (LDSs) and launch calls for local projects. Through Community-Led Local Development (CLLD), local initiatives in fisheries areas are supported, contributing to the vitality and resilience of communities in coastal and inland water areas and promoting sustainable social, economic and environmental development tailored to the specific needs of individual FLAG territories. This intervention forms part of Priority 3 of the Lithuanian Fisheries Sector Programme 2021–2027.

Main areas of support under FLAG measures:

1. Development of businesses in blue economy sectors through innovation, blue biotechnology and renewable energy, as well as the diversification of fisheries and aquaculture activities by supporting the integration of tourism and other services with fisheries and aquaculture.
2. Climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management, through investments in the circular economy, digitalisation, innovation and the strengthening of local resource governance.
3. Development of sustainable food systems through innovation and digitalisation across the value chain, promoting the integration of the blue bioeconomy into local economic activities, enhancing the marketing and value addition of local catches, and fostering cooperation.
4. Strengthening the vitality of local communities through investments in the creation of safe and quality employment opportunities, the promotion of social inclusion and the attraction of young people.

During the new programming period 10 FLAGs are implementing their LDSs. A total of nearly EUR 8.11 million has been allocated for the implementation of local projects under these LDSs. In 2025 the following results were achieved by the FLAGs:

• 65 calls for proposals were launched;
• 75 project applications were received;
• 28 grant agreements were concluded with a total allocation of nearly EUR 1.76 million;
• nearly EUR 0.81 million was disbursed on the basis of payment claims received;
• 5 projects were completed.