France

The FLAG area is typical of Northern Brittany, combining a succession of rocky coastline, bays, river estuaries and marshes, as well as coastal towns strongly connected to a dynamic maritime environment. A great variety of ecosystems and scenery compose this area which is greatly influenced by the strong tides and harshness of the sea.

The Côte d’Emeraude – Rance – Baie du Mont Saint-Michel area surrounds the Rance river estuary. It is characterised by very contrasted landscapes: rocky shores, small rias stretching inland, marshes and polders. The territory relies on tourism, agriculture and maritime activities.

The FLAG area is located on the western tip of the Brittany peninsula, covering a range of urban, rural and coastal environments. Its important urban centre, the Brest Metropolis is home to the second biggest military port in France. However, with over 600 km of coastline, the area is overwhelmingly defined by its maritime identity.

The Arcachon – Val de l’Eyre basin is a semi-closed bay where many marine activities take place, and in particular tourism, which is the key activity for the local economy. Fisheries and aquaculture are also important sectors in the area.

The Marennes Oléron FLAG covers a rural and coastal territory whose natural and agricultural landscapes represent 85% of the area (40% of which are marshes). Tourism and primary sector activities are important components of the local economy, along with services and commercial activities.

Cornouaille, on the western part of Brittany, has a 330km coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The FLAG area counts 130 000 jobs and its key industries include food processing, tourism and commercial fisheries. 20% of the fish landed in French ports is landed in Cornouaille

This guide is composed of six factsheets, including real-life examples, designed to help FLAGs ensure better results through developing strategic objectives, selecting indicators and setting targets, collecting data and managing information, and adopting a results-oriented approach in all activities of the FLAG.

This guide presents examples of applying CLLD under the different ESI Funds: EMFF, EAFRD, ESF and ERDF from the perspective of Managing Authorities and local actors.

The North Sardinia FLAG wishes to cooperate with FLAGs concerned with new start-up models led by young people, fishermen’s relatives or young people leaving secondary schools who want to create self-employment opportunities.

The experience developed by FARNET under Axis 4 of the EFF (2007-2013) is still highly valuable for the current programming period, especially for new FLAGs.