FLAG Factsheet
Lesvos is the third largest island in Greece and forms part of the North-East Aegean region. The island is rural and sparsely populated.
The island’s per capita income is below the average for EU regions, and it is in need of better infrastructure and accessibility to the mainland. The local economy is based on agricultural and fisheries activities. The island is known for olive oil, local dairy products, and fish. There is also a growing tertiary sector based mainly on tourism. Lesvos can be described as largely unspoilt and has a varied landscape which ranges from mountains to plains to rough volcanic terrain.
The challenges here include a need for better infrastructure, a declining population and a lack of younger people entering the fisheries sector.
Almost 40% of the island, across nine separate Natura 2000 areas, is protected. This includes three areas of Special Community Interest (SCIs) and six Special Area of Conservation (SACs). In addition to this, there are also several protected aquatic areas.
The FLAG’s strategy focuses on enhancing social and economic prosperity in the area with emphasis on the advantages of the island’s remote location and the diverse rural and insular natural environment. There will also be a focus on the need to develop synergies in the supply chain for fisheries and aquaculture products.
There will be an emphasis on introducing appropriate expertise in order to increase innovation and competitiveness. CLLD in Lesvos also aims to introduce qualitative differentiation and branding of products and services from the island and the creation of a local tourism identity that focuses on the local characteristics of the area.
National
EAFRD funds, EDRD funds and ESF along with local funds will be used to complement the strategy in various projects.
Ideas for upcoming projects include:
The first call for projects could be opened towards Summer 2017 After the selection criteria will have been approved.
The FLAG has experience in managing natural resources and is interested in cooperating with areas in the Mediterranean basin on:
The FLAG plans to continue the transnational cooperation www.diveinourislands.com, enlarging the partnership and enriching actions.
The Lesvos Local Development Company (ETAL SA) is both a LAG and FLAG for the area and coordinates various projects and programmes under an overarching development strategy for the area.
ETAL S.A primarily operates in the Island of Lesvos and, in some cases, at a regional level. There are many links with other LAGS and FLAGS under schemes of networks and cooperation, both nationally and internationally.
ETAL S.A. Partnership, as a legal entity consists of:
And is complemented at the board of the CLLD decision making body (LAG/FLAG) by the:
Decision-making on the main board of the FLAG and LAG is done on a consultative basis and is reported to normally be unanimous, the key guiding principle in all decisions is transparency.