FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

Fiches FLAG

Liepaja FLAG

Official name: 
Biedrība “Liepājas rajona partnerība”
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
LV201
Programming period: 
2007-2013
2014-2020

Area

The Liepaja FLAG area is located in the south-western part of Latvia, bordering with Lithuania. The FLAG area stretches for 111.28 km along the Baltic coast and includes the municipalities of Ventspils, Saldus and Kuldiga districts. Five percent of the area is covered by waterways, which include the rivers Bārta and Durbe, and the Liepāja, Pape, Tosmare and Durbe lakes. Forestry accounts for a further 41% of the FLAG area.

There are 3651 businesses registered in the area, 90% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises with an annual turnover of less than €70 000. There are 92 premises offering touristic accommodations with the total capacity of 2 025 beds. The coastal municipalities and the city of Liepāja have 59 registered businesses operating in the fisheries sector. The unemployment rate in the FLAG area is 8% (2014), which is slightly below the national average in Latvia (10.8%).

The main economic sectors are: agriculture, the processing of agricultural products, logging, wood processing, transport, construction, the production of building products, fisheries and fish processing.

The main challenges for the area is attracting new entrants to the fisheries sector and promoting diversification.

The FLAG’s area also lacks comfortable and safe places for leisure and recreation along the Baltic coast. The existing infrastructure is outdated and inadequate for the numbers of tourists visiting the area. This prevents opportunities to promote the coastal areas and thus increase the socio-economic benefits for the FLAG area.

Type de zone:
Bassins:
Protected areas: 

There are 14 Natura 2000 sites, 19 protected areas, three nature parks and one nature reserve in the FLAG area.

Population
40 000
Surface area (km²)
3 594
Population density
11
Total employment in fisheries
1 000
Fishing: 
324
Aquaculture: 
9
Transformation: 
667

FLAG strategy

The FLAG strategy aims to:

  • Diversify the fisheries sector in the Baltic coastal area and add value to fish and aquaculture products;
  • Strengthen the fisheries sector by creating new jobs and by ensuring the transfer of fishing traditions and skills, especially to young people;
  • Promote cooperation between fisheries and tourism businesses along the Baltic coast by supporting new innovative services related to the sea and the coast and the implementation of projects that reduce the negative impact of seasonality;
  • Encourage activities to preserve the cultural heritage of fishing villages along the coast and support infrastructure that reduces the depletion of natural resources (e.g., wooden footbridges);
  • Foster the restoration of fisheries heritage landmarks and improve their accessibility in order to meet the needs of the tourism sector;
  • Promote new activities and strengthen the role of fishermen in tourism activities in the FLAG area. 
Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
5
% of the budget allocated: 
35%
Supporting diversification
4
30%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
2
10%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
3
25%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
2 024 400
  • EMFF: 
    1 720 740
  • MS co-financing: 
    303 660
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National

  • Multi-funding: 

    EAFRD – €1 909 883.21 including national co-financing of 68%.

  • Funds: 
    EAFRD

Project examples

  • Establishment of a fisheries and fishing museum in the city of Liepaja.
  • Support for the development of fish processing businesses: processing and filleting equipment, and improving the delivery chain and the sale of fish and fish products, the development of new fish products, etc.
  • Diversification of existing tourism businesses and the creation of new businesses along the Baltic coast.

Calls for proposals

The FLAG organises calls for projects once a year.

The first call for projects related to the EMFF support closed on 2 June 2016. 

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG has experience in project evaluation, the facilitation of workshops and the involvement of members of the FLAG and other stakeholders in the evaluation of project results. It is also active in the organisation of Open Days workshops on CLLD.

The FLAG is interested in developing cooperation projects on the following topics:

  • Marketing fisheries products;
  • Tourism and coastal development.

No budget has been defined for cooperation.

Partnership

Accountable body: 
Biedrība “Liepājas rajona partnerība”
Members of the partnership: 

The FLAG board (decision-making body) consists of 12 members, but all 72 members of the FLAG are actively involved.

The FLAG board consists of two representatives of the public sector (municipalities) and ten representatives of the private/NGO sectors.

The private sector is represented by four fishermen and two rural businesses.

There are four NGO representatives, including one representative of a youth association, one representative of women associations, and two representatives of environmental associations.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
72
% of fisheries actors: 
36%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
42%
% of environmental actors: 
7%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
12
% of public actors: 
15%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
2,00

Visuals

Map

Contacts du GALPA

Biedrība “Liepājas rajona partnerība”
 
Krasta iela-12
Grobiņas novads
3430 Grobiņa
Latvia
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Inita Ate
Phone:
+371 63 491 806
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Santa Brale
Phone:
+371 63 491 806
FLAG President:
Ms. Anda Veidele
Languages:
  • Letton (Mother tongue)
  • Anglais (Basic)
  • Allemand (Basic)
Publication date: 
26/12/2016
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