The first cooperation initiatives in Ireland are expected to emerge in 2017 following a national call for cooperation projects, which the Managing Authority (MA) plans to launch mid-2017. Although cooperation was not a strong element of the 2007-2013 Axis 4 programme in Ireland, the MA hopes that the call in the current programming period will result in at least one cooperation project per FLAG.
FLAG areas in Denmark are focused on the few remaining small-scale fisheries communities. As such, cooperation activities are expected to focus on supporting small-scale fisheries businesses, attracting young people to work in fisheries and diversifying activities.
The KAVALA FLAG from Greece aims to encourage private investment in processing fisheries and aquaculture products (FAPs), highlighting the new opportunities and markets.
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 Bothhian Sea and Lake Pyhäjärvi FLAG from the south of Finland is open to cooperation ideas. The FLAG has long-term experience in lake fisheries and in the development of fisheries with a strong link to water quality management.
The Mariña Ortegal FLAG from Galicia, Spain, is open to cooperation ideas from around Europe. In particular, it is interested in cooperation on projects related to adding value to fisheries projects through processing and marketing.