FLAG Factsheet
--ARCHIVED as of 31 January 2020--
North East Scotland FLAG (NESFLAG) covers the fisheries communities of the Banffshire, Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire and Angus coastlines. Within this area are two major fishing ports (Peterhead and Fraserburgh) and a number of smaller centers with a significant fishing industry, as well as several small villages with fishing heritage.
The area accounts for over half of Scotland’s fishing catch, with reliance on white fish, pelagic and nephrops. Fish processing is also an important element of the local economy.
There are a great deal of social and economic challenges in the area. Low income and relatively high unemployment are common in many of the main settlements. Educational attainment is below average across much of the FLAG area, and there are pockets of areas with very poor health statistics.
18 protected areas:
SSSI Cullen to Stake Ness Coast, SSSI Whitehills to Melrose Coast, SSSI Gamrie and Pennan Coast, SSSI Rosehearty to Fraserburgh Coast, SSSI Cairnbulg to St Combs Coast, SSSI Bullers of Buchan Coast, SSSI Collieston to Whinnyfold Coast, SSSI Sands of Forvie and Ythan Estuary, SSSI Garron Point, SSSI Burn of Benholm, SSSI St Cyrus and Kinnaber Links, SSSI Rickle Craig – Scurdie Ness, SSSI Montrose Basin, SPA Troup, Pennan and Lion’s Heads, SPA Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast, SPA Ythan Estuary, Sands of Forvie and Meikle Loch, SPA Montrose Basin, SAC Buchan Ness to Collieston, SAC Sands of Forvie, Ramsar Montrose Basin
The FLAG strategy delivers the fisheries elements of three separate multi-fund local development strategies (LDS): North Aberdeenshire, South Aberdeenshire and Angus.
Each LDS has variations in its priorities and focus, but common themes among them include improving connections and sense of place, developing the economy, and co-operation (both inter-territorial and trans-national).
Specific priorities for fishing areas include:
Being part of broader local development strategies allows the FLAG to focus on economic aspects, the other priorities being dealt with through other parts of the broader multi fund strategies.
Scottish Government (National)
The FLAG strategy delivers the fisheries elements of three separate multi-fund local development strategies: North Aberdeenshire, South Aberdeenshire and Angus.
All animation and administration costs are covered by the ‘lead fund’ EAFRD.
Application deadlines are called for three times per year.
2016 deadlines are April, July and October.
2017 dates are still to be confirmed but likely to be every 4 months (e.g. January, May, September).
Applications are screened at FLAG meetings around 8 weeks after the deadline.
NESFLAG members offer significant experience of the fishing industry and represent a broad cross section of the major fishing area of the UK. The FLAG is interested in all areas of co-operation, both inter-territorial and transnational. Potential areas of interest could be (but not limited to) new products, industry innovation, leisure/tourism or traditional skills.
In addition, the MA has identified a central budget for cooperation projects in Scotland in their OP. At this time no decisions have been made on how this element of the Programme will progress although it expected to be available for both inter-territorial and transnational cooperation.
Type of cooperation projects foreseen:
The FLAG territory is spread across three CLLD LAGs- North Aberdeenshire, South Aberdeenshire and Angus.
The FLAG works closely with the LEADER LAGs in the area, but is its own distinct group
There are 9 organisations which are represented on both the FLAG and other LAGs in the region.
The FLAG shares LDSs with North Aberdeenshire, South Aberdeenshire and Angus LAGs;
FLAG Co-ordinator works as part of the same team as LAG staff.
Community Sector:
Private Sector:
Public Sector: