Smart coastal areas: Resourcefulness and innovation in FLAG communities

FARNET's 8th transnational seminar will take place from 2-4 April 2019 in Bantry, Ireland. The seminar will be an opportunity for FLAG managers to explore ways in which their FLAG areas can become “smarter” by doing things differently and investing in imaginative ideas to tackle existing challenges. It will also be a chance to reflect on how to work towards smarter strategies for the future.

The theme of this event "Smart coastal areas: resourcefulness and innovation in FLAG communities". This seminar is organised at the initiative of the European Commission with the support of FLAG South, Ireland’s Sea Food Development Agency - BIM (Bord Iascaigh Mhara) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of the Republic of Ireland. 

Topics covered will include:

• Smart Partnerships (creating win-win situations between different interest groups)
• Smart Resource Use (optimising local resources and production systems)
• Smart Financing (reaching small-scale beneficiaries: micro-credit, crowd funding, etc.)
• Smart Services (adapting services to ensure their viability: smart harbours, connecting remote areas, etc.)

The seminar themes were addressed through a series of presentations, working groups discussions, mini-plenary sessions, a "Meet the Practioners" session and a field visit.