The marine villages of Ionian Sea FLAG

Official name:

FLAG I Borghi Marinari dello Jonio

Country:

Italy

Region:

Calabria

Code:

IT-CAL-IT213

Programming period:

2007-2013

2014-2020

Area

The FLAG is located at the North-Eastern side of the Calabria region, close to the Gulf of Taranto. Under the 2007-2013 programming period (EFF – Axis IV), the FLAG area included eight municipalities, of which the two main ports of Schiavonea and Cariati; it now covers six more municipalities with a similar social-economic profile.

The area has important fish landing ports, fish processing enterprises and significant tourism potential, however there are challenges here linked to poor integration between sectors especially poor linkages between traditional fishing activities and tourism.

Type of area:

Coastal
Urban

Sea Basins:

Mediterranean

Protected areas:

There is one protected area in the FLAG area: Capo Rizzuto (province of Crotone)

Population

157 096

Surface area (km²)

860

Population density

183

Total employment in fisheries

463

FLAG strategy

The strategy aims to enhance local development by promoting a local identity, to diversify the local economy and to improve the quality of life.

Main actions include:

The development and diversification of local fisheries businesses
Supporting sustainable tourism linked to fisheries, while maintaining the protection and promotion of local, cultural and natural heritage
Increasing opportunities for cross-sectoral projects, fostering cooperation among the various categories of local stakeholders.

Themes:

Objective:

Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

20%

Supporting diversification

30%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

20%

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

15%

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

15%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020:

1 481 072

EMFF:

740 536
MS co-financing:

740 536
Sources of co-funding:

National (€518 375,20), regional (€222 160,80)

Project examples

Examples of projects include:

Introduce innovative methods in aquaculture and mari-culture
Support local processing of local fish products
Set up common sales points for local products from land and sea
Further development of restaurants providing “quality catering at zero kilometres” which has been very successful with tourists, especially North Europeans

Calls for proposals

The FLAG foresees to publish project calls two times a year (at least).

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG is interested in developing cooperation with FLAGs in Spain and France who have expertise with pesca-tourism and integrated tourist packages. The FLAG is also interested in setting up projects for peer-learning between fishermen on aquaculture techniques and high quality fish processing. Exchange programmes for young fishermen (stages of 4-6 months) are also envisaged.

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

Part of the FLAG area is covered by the Sibaritide LEADER LAG, and informal cooperation is planned for as soon as both CLLD groups are operational. This will include marketing of local high quality products from both land and sea.

Partnership

Members of the partnership:

FLAG members are public administrations, and partners from fisheries, aquaculture, processing, marketing mainly.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

24%

% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors:

30%

% of environmental actors:

Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board:

% of public actors:

33%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

0,75