FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Soča Valley FLAG

Official name: 
LAS Dolina Soče
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
SI202
Programming period: 
2007-2013
2014-2020

Area

The Soča Valley FLAG is in north-western Slovenia near the border with Italy. It includes the river Soča which has its source in the Julian Alps, and which attracts fishermen and visitors from all over the world each year.

The most important sector in the FLAG area is processing which represents 30% of total employment. The River Soča area is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Slovenia. The number of tourists is increasing, as well as the number of businesses involved in tourism and catering.

The fisheries in the area are small scale and consist only of freshwater salmonid fisheries including local endemic species such as marble trout and Adriatic grayling. The aquaculture facilities are based on water systems which allow for the production of high quality fish products. Fisheries are oriented mainly towards local markets, with the possibility of extending marketing of special and high quality aquaculture products to wider niche markets (nationally and internationally) which is the biggest challenge for the fisheries.

The main challenges in the area include limited employment opportunities, low competitivity of the businesses, lack of value-added activities for fisheries products and underdeveloped infrastructure.

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

LAG Soča Valley has two protected areas:

  • Nature 2000 (protected area River Soča and tributaries);
  • Triglav National park; the municipalities of Bovec, Kobarid and Tolmin are included in the biosphere area of Julian managed by the Triglav national park. 
Population
24 253
Surface area (km²)
1 089
Population density
22
Total employment in fisheries
17
Fishing: 
2
Aquaculture: 
15
Women employment in fisheries: 
4

FLAG strategy

The FLAG strategy responds to the area's specific challenges by creating better employment opportunities, improving competitive business environments, raising knowledge of business activities, encouraging local producers to increase market value and develop new products, providing conditions for the implementation of primary services in the countryside, and developing new infrastructure in the countryside as an added value for tourism, culture, and aquaculture.

The strategy envisages the following measures:

  • managing nature and cultural heritage,
  • sustainable use of natural resources
  • development and marketing of new activities, knowledge, farm products and aquaculture,
  • development and marketing of tourism products and destinations,
  • animation of social activities and social inclusion,
  • supporting and development of competitive business environment.

These six measures are supporting the promotion and marketing of typical local products, the development of agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture, and the development and marketing of special tourism destination in Triglav national park and involving vulnerable groups in new activities. 

Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
4
% of the budget allocated: 
30%
Supporting diversification
3
15%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
2
10%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
3
15%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
4
30%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
1 514 583
  • EMFF: 
    1 253 183
  • MS co-financing: 
    261 400
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National

  • Multi-funding: 

    The FLAG also receives EAFRD (LEADER) and ERDF for its strategy.

  • Funds: 
    EAFRD
    ERDF

Project examples

  • Co-working centre – business training and workshops
  • Recovery of grazing area and establishment of a processing plant for sheep and goat products
  • Developing a trade mark for aquaculture products
  • Education of aquaculture employees
  • Gastronomical use of fish workshops
  • Fly-fishing presentations for tourists in the area
  • Socio-economic study of the importance of fishing in the area
  • Monitoring of pure marble trout and grayling populations as a basis for their future aquaculture use

Calls for proposals

LAG Soča Valley already published a public call for projects in December 2016, closed in February 2017. More info here.

Another public call will be published in the second part of the year 2017.

In the local development strategy, it is planned to publish two more public calls in 2019 and in 2020.

Expertise & cooperation

  • The FLAG has experience in the development of local gastronomy, stakeholder education on rural areas, activities for strengthening the local identity and developing cultural heritage etc.
  • The FLAG is interested in gastronomy – foreign study visits that inspire local cooperation projects, local development in fisheries areas, and innovative methods for the local supply chain etc.
  • It is hoped to work on a project that will develop gastronomy in Mediterranean Slovenia.
Budget envisaged for cooperation: 
120000.00

Partnership

Accountable body: 
LAS Dolina Soče
Members of the partnership: 

Public sector: 14 members – municipalities, Slovenian Forest Service – Tolmin branch office, Local tourist organisation, Triglav national park, occupational activity centre, Angling club of Tolmin etc.

Economic sector: 12 members – LIBO fish farm, FARONIKA fish farm, TONKLI Tourist farm, PLANIKA Dairy, Soča-Trenta Cooperative etc.

Private sector: 28 members (of which NGOs are 18 members) – individual persons, Foundation Peace of Walk, Association of sheep breeders from Upper Soča Valley, Tolmin Mountaineering Association etc.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
54
% of fisheries actors: 
9%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
52%
% of environmental actors: 
7%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
17
% of public actors: 
41%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
3,00

Visuals

Map

FLAG Contacts

LAS Dolina Soče
 
Trg tigrovcev 1
5220 Tolmin
Slovenia
FLAG President:
Mr. Uroš Brežan
Phone:
+386 41 344 972
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Greta Černilogar
Phone:
+386 5 384 15 07
Languages:
  • Slovenian (Mother tongue)
  • English (Basic)
Publication date: 
01/06/2017
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