FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network
FLAG Factsheet
The area includes the coast of the Ilia prefecture and the Pinios Lake and is located along the western half of the Peloponnese peninsula. The fisheries activities found here are mostly small-scale. Tourism is also an important part of the economy given the area’s close proximity to Athens.
The main challenges include an aging population, rural depopulation, high unemployment, a lack of female entrepreneurship and a lack of cooperation between the fisheries sector and other relevant sectors in the area.
There are eight Natura 2000 protected areas and one RAMSAR convention protected area. The main protected areas are River Delta, various archaeological sites and a lagoon. These protected areas cover 70% of the FLAG area.
The main priorities of the FLAG strategy include the utilisation of local agricultural and fisheries production by using modern methods and processing techniques, standardisation, certification, labelling and promotion. It is also hoped to differentiate and broaden the productive and economic base of the region, while protecting the cultural and natural environment.
The FLAG strategy aims to improve social cohesion by reducing inequality, tackling poverty and by enhancing the attractiveness of the region.
National
The FLAG is multi-funded. It has a total public budget of €8 950 000. (€2 100 000 from the EMMF and €6 850 000 from the EAFRD)
Project ideas include developing complementary activities for fishermen, expanding tourist services, developing processing and marketing enterprises and enhancing infrastructure as well as services to improve the quality of life in fisheries areas.
The calls for projects will be published at www.anol.gr.
The Development Agency of Olympia has gained experience through the implementation of the LEADER program for the period from 2009 to 2015 in the mountain area of the Ilia Prefecture. They have implemented several transnational projects including “Rediscovery and enhancement of the Mediterranean rurality” a transnational co-operation project.
The FLAG is interested in transnational cooperation projects in Europe related to the development of new markets for quality products and alternative tourism as well as the exploitation of Natura areas and cultural resources. It is also hoped to raise public awareness on issues related to environmental protection and develop volunteering via transnational cooperation.
The FLAG shares a legal structure with the local LEADER LAG and their territories overlap. They have board members in common and also have a common Programme Management Committee which allows them to share strategies. The FLAG also cooperates with other FLAGs nearby and throughout Greece.
The FLAG membership includes the municipalities of, Andritsena-Krestena, Ancient Olympia, Zacharo, Pinios and Pirgos and the region of Western Greece.
