FLAG Factsheet
The FLAG area is located on the Atlantic coast in the north of Portugal and covers 12 local administrative units in three municipalities. These municipalities have traditionally had strong economic, social and cultural links with the sea (fishing, fish markets, fish processing, canning, aquatic and nautical sports and seafood restaurants) and the FLAG area is home to 25% of the registered fishermen and 11% of the fishing vessels in mainland Portugal.
The area has 13 ports and harbors, one of which is the second largest in the Country, Porto de Leixões. Leixões also has a new cruise terminal, capable of receiving large cruise liners. The cruise terminal building also hosts the University of Porto’s Science and Technology Park of the Sea, which includes a Maritime Research Centre.
The main challenges facing the area include: an innovation deficit related to the processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products; a decline in the status of fishing as a career; weak and inadequate education and training programmes; fragmentation in the fisheries sector and poor institutional and business cooperation; social exclusion and the risk of poverty in fishing and coastal communities; long-term youth unemployment and underdevelopment of the area’s tourism potential.
One protected area: the coast of Vila do Conde and the ornithological reserve of Mindelo (protected landscape).
The FLAG strategy is focused on the sustainable development of local communities, drawing on the area’s resources, its culture, traditions and its ability to innovate in areas related to the sea.
The strategy has five main goals:
Regional / municipal / private
The FLAG will have specific deadlines for submitting project proposals. The schedule will be released by the managing authority, in close cooperation with the FLAG manager.
Areas of interest for FLAG cooperation:
Members of the FLAG have experience in the management of local development programmes, including initiatives that promote partnerships between public and private entities. Area Metropolitana do Porto (AMP) is also an intermediate body for the Operational Programme Norte 2020.
DLBC Rural - GAL Litoral Rural: includes Matosinhos, Vila do Conde and Póvoa do Varzim.
FLAG Strategy should be consistent with the Integrated Territorial Development Strategy (NUTS III level).
Area Metropolitana do Porto (AMP), an inter-municipal body (NUTS III Region) comprising 17 municipalities. AMP plays a fundamental role in encouraging cooperation between these municipalities, as well as between institutions that can catalyse wider networks that promote economic, cultural, social and environmental development in the territory.