FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

Fiches FLAG

Ahaia FLAG

Official name: 
ΑΧΑΪΑ Α.Ε. - Αναπτυξιακή Ανώνυμη Εταιρεία Ο.Τ.Α
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
GR215
Programming period: 
2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area is situated in western Greece, in the north-western part of the Peloponnese peninsula. It includes the coastal areas of the municipalities of Patras, Aigialeia and West Achaia.

The economic as well as the social life of the area is influenced by the two urban areas of Patras and Aigio. The tertiary economic sector accounts for the largest part of economic activity and includes tourism along the west coast, however parts of the area also have remarkable dynamism in the production and processing of agricultural products (especially wine, olive oil and vegetables).

Fisheries and aquaculture are concentrated mainly in the western part of the area and to a lesser extent in Aigialeia. These activities consist mainly of coastal fishermen with small sized vessels. A very large part of the coastal economy is indirectly dependent on fishing, as many activities such as tourism, food services and commerce benefit from marine products.

Some of the area’s main challenges include the need for diversification, the strengthening of the weak processing sector and the linking of the maritime economy with tourism and the fisheries heritage of coastal areas. The protection and promotion of the area’s coastal ecosystems is also a concern.

Type de zone:
Bassins:
Protected areas: 

The FLAG area includes five Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) and three Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These sites/areas cover 200 km2 (27%) of the FLAG area. They are mostly found in West Achaia and consist of a lagoon (Limnothalassa) and the wetlands of Kalogria, the forest (Dasos) of Strofylia and the Lamia Marshes (Elos).

Population
91 574
Surface area (km²)
742
Population density
123
Total employment in fisheries
115

FLAG strategy

The main strategic objectives of the FLAG include:

  • Strengthening local entrepreneurship
  • Improving the competitiveness of the agri-food sector value chain.
  • Introducing new practices and innovation regarding sustainable development, climate change and environmental protection.
  • Improving social well-being, strengthening social cohesion and combating poverty.
  • Promoting participation, cooperation and networking, as well as exchanging know-how between different stakeholders in the area.
Objective: 
Supporting diversification
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
55%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
4
17%
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
3
14%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
2
9%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
1
5%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
2 750 000
  • EMFF: 
    2 062 500
  • MS co-financing: 
    687 500
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National

  • Funds: 
    EAFRD

Project examples

  • Supporting investments for the processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products.
  • Setting-up of restaurants and leisure activity units.
  • Expansion of handicraft enterprises and activities that serve the coastal economy.

Expertise & cooperation

During the 2014-2020 programming period, two cooperation projects are envisaged: Bio-monitoring of marine mammals by developing an innovative ecotourism service (an inter-territorial project) and Wetland Life (a transnational project).

Partnership

Members of the partnership: 

The development agency’s membership, which dates back to before the setting up of the FLAG, includes the municipalities of West Achaia, Kalavrita, Aigialeia, Patras and Erymanthos and the regional union of municipalities of Western Greece, the Kalavrita ski centre, the agricultural dairy cooperative of Kalavrita, the local chamber of commerce and industry, the centre for the local development of West Achaia, the Achaia young farmers’ association, the hoteliers association of Achaia, the local agricultural cooperatives union and the oil and wine productions agricultural cooperative of Patras.

Although no fisheries actors are formal members of the association, a local fisheries organisation sits on the project selection board of the FLAG.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
14
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
57%
% of environmental actors: 
7%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
9
% of public actors: 
44%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
2,50

Visuals

Map

Contacts du GALPA

AHAIA SA Development Company
 
ΑΧΑΪΑ Α.Ε. - Αναπτυξιακή Ανώνυμη Εταιρεία Ο.Τ.Α.
Agiou Alexiou & Asim Fotila
25001 Kalavrita
Greece
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Argiro Tsimpri
Languages:
  • Grec (Mother tongue)
  • Anglais (Advanced)
  • Français (Basic)
  • Italien (Basic)
Publication date: 
25/08/2017
PDF Version