Varna & Asparuhovo Area FLAG

Official name:

FLAG Varna, Asparuhovo Area - Beloslav - Aksakovo

Country:

Bulgaria

Code:

BG204

Programming period:

2014-2020

Area

The FLAG territory covers the municipalities of Aksakovo, Beloslav and Asparuhovo which are situated on the Black Sea coast and near to the Varna Lake. The FLAG area is one of the most economically and socially developed regions in Bulgaria. Fishing, both coastal and inland, is mostly small-scale.

Specific challenges for the FLAG territory include a decline in the area’s fisheries sectoral development, a lack of young people in and/or entering the fisheries sector, the seasonality of fishing, and the low economic efficiency and incomes related to fisheries.

Type of area:

Coastal
Urban

Sea Basins:

Black Sea

Protected areas:

The largest protected site on the territory of Varna Municipality, respectively in the FLAG territory, is the Golden Sands Nature Park. Furthermore, the FLAG area included partially six protected areas under the NATURA 2000 Network (two of them according to Habitats Directive and the other four according to Birds Directive).

Population

59 575

Surface area (km²)

578

Population density

103

Total employment in fisheries

439

Fishing:

377

Aquaculture:

Processing:

Women employment in fisheries:

FLAG strategy

The FLAG’s local development strategy has the following key objectives:

Improving the competitiveness of the area’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Supporting the development of small and medium-size businesses.
Contributing to the diversification of the incomes of workers in the fisheries sector through the development of complementary activities and training initiatives.
Developing pesca-tourism and form linkages between the fisheries and tourism sectors.

Themes:

Objective:

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

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

20%

Supporting diversification

20%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

20%

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

20%

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

20%

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020: 
200 000
EMFF: 
170 000
MS co-financing: 
30 000

Calls for proposals

The FLAG will make calls for projects with fixed deadlines which will be published on the FLAG website: http://flag-vab.eu

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

The FLAG shares part of its territory with two LEADER LAGs (LAG Avren - Beloslav and LAG Devnya – Aksakovo). The FLAG shares board members with the LAGs and the groups cooperate informally.

Partnership

Accountable body:

Varna, Asparuhovo Area - Beloslav - Aksakovo FLAG

Members of the partnership:

FLAG members include three representatives from the local government, six representatives from the fisheries and aquaculture sector, one environmental actor and two NGO’s.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

50%

% of public authorities and other:

25%

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

17%

% of environmental actors:

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

% of public actors:

43%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

3,00