FARNET
Fisheries Areas Network

FLAG Factsheet

Suwalki-Augustow Lake District FLAG

Official name: 
Stowarzyszenia Lokalna Grupa Rybacka „Pojezierze Suwalsko-Augustowskie”
Country:
Region: 
Code: 
PL219
Programming period: 
2007-2013
2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area covers 20 municipalities and is of high natural value. Scenic landscapes with forests, hills and lakes attract a lot of tourism to the area, 60% of which is in the summer. Over 70% of the workforce is employed in agriculture (including fish farming), but incomes are low and there is a high level of unemployment (including high levels of long-term unemployment), especially among people with low skills. A proximity to the border and pre-established transnational cooperation’s, mainly with Lithuania, is also an important feature of the region.

There are numerous fish farms catching mainly freshwater bream, but also perch, pike and roach, which are sold primarily to local restaurants and bars or processed in small-scale plants. Angling accounts for ca. 30% of the income of fish farmers. Key challenges include low level of economic activity, an underinvested tourism infrastructure and the need to diversify and add value to fish farming and protect water quality.

Type of area:
Sea Basins:
Protected areas: 

The FLAG area has several protected areas including the Wigry Lake National Park, which is covered by the Ramsar Convention and by Natura 2000, the Suwałki Landscape Park which has the deepest lake in Poland, Hańcza (Natura 2000), the Augustów Forest (Natura 2000) and a network of natural reserves.

Population
111 119
Surface area (km²)
3 481
Population density
32
Total employment in fisheries
131
Aquaculture: 
111
Processing: 
20

FLAG strategy

The primary objective of the FLAG strategy is the sustainable development of the area and this includes two key goals:

  • Developing local entrepreneurship, creating new jobs and businesses (including diversification of the fisheries sector and adding value to the fish products).
  • Improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of the area.

The FLAG will also support and carry out activities linked to the promotion of its area.

Objective: 
Adding value, creating jobs, and promoting innovation along the fisheries chain
Priority: 
3
% of the budget allocated: 
14%
Supporting diversification
4
25%
Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets
2
6%
Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage
5
54%
Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development
1
2%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
3 000 000
  • EMFF: 
    2 550 000
  • MS co-financing: 
    450 000
  • Sources of co-funding: 

    National

Project examples

FLAG project examples and ideas include:

  • Promotion of the area through the organisation of fish festivals.
  • Developing or renovating small-scale tourist infrastructure.
  • Supporting initiatives for improving water quality and preventing poaching.
  • Developing accommodation, gastronomy and angling businesses.

Calls for proposals

The FLAG makes two calls for projects a year. Information about project calls is available on the FLAG website: http://lgr-pojezierze.eu

Expertise & cooperation

The FLAG has experience in a wide range of innovative activities to animate the local community. The FLAG is interested in exchange and joint promotion of fisheries heritage and natural assets. An inter-territorial project with other Polish FLAGs on promoting fisheries heritage; a transnational project with a Lithuanian FLAG on valorisation the area’s assets.

Budget envisaged for cooperation: 
25000.00

Partnership

Accountable body: 
Stowarzyszenia Lokalna Grupa Rybacka „Pojezierze Suwalsko-Augustowskie”
Members of the partnership: 

The public sector is represented by 20 municipalities and 15 institutions active in the field of culture, environmental protection or forestry. There are 77 businesses, mainly from the tourism and gastronomy sectors. The social sector is represented by 35 NGOs and over 150 individuals.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly: 
367
% of fisheries actors: 
11%
% of public authorities and other: 
4%
% of other (non-fisheries) private / NGO sector actors: 
85%
Number of individuals on main decision-making body/board: 
20
% of public actors: 
40%
Number of contracted staff in FLAG: 
3,00

Map

FLAG Contacts

Stowarzyszenia Lokalna Grupa Rybacka „Pojezierze Suwalsko-Augustowskie”
 
ul. Wesoła 22
16-400 Suwałki
Poland
FLAG President:
Mr. Cezary Cieslukowski
Phone:
+48 602 448 140
FLAG Manager:
Ms. Małgorzata Dudzińska
Phone:
+48 87 565 53 89
Languages:
  • Polish (Mother tongue)
  • English (Basic)
Publication date: 
08/09/2017
PDF Version