Virumaa FLAG

Official name:

Virumaa Rannakalurite Ühing MTÜ

Country:

Estonia

Region:

Lääne-Virumaa

Code:

EE201

Programming period:

2007-2013

2014-2020

Area

The FLAG area is located on the Northern and North-Eastern coast of Estonia. The population of this area, including the fishing community is ageing. Small-scale coastal fishing of mostly flounder, perch and salmon is the main activity of local fishermen. This fish is mainly marketed directly to end consumers. The large-scale fishing of herring takes place in eastern parts of the region. This caught fish is sold to the fish processing industries and to whole-sale companies.

The challenge here is to develop sufficient infrastructure to cover the needs of fishermen, e.g. via modernising and developing the fishing harbours at Narva-Jõesuu, Toila, Karepa Võsu Purtse and Vergi to provide better facilities for fishermen and to help them diversify their activities. The seasonality of fishing activity and the economic instability this implies creates a need to support the diversification of fishermen's activities in the region.

This implies the need to support fisherman’s involvement in the primary processing of fish as well as other means of support to help fishermen earn additional income.

Type of area:

Coastal

Sea Basins:

Baltic Sea

Protected areas:

Maismaa kaitseala - Lahemaa Rahvuspark

Population

91 885

Surface area (km²)

1 885

Population density

Total employment in fisheries

261

Fishing:

145

Aquaculture:

Processing:

102

Women employment in fisheries:

FLAG strategy

The FLAG strategy will focus on:

Support for the diversification of fishermen's activities in the field of innovative products and services, including in areas such as tourism.
Adding value to fisheries, aquaculture, sea or lake resources, enhancement and marketing support to encourage primary processors of fish and the producers of fish products including home based processing and producing facilities.
Launching a regional “local fish product label” promoting product development and improving motivation to improve the quality of products.

Themes:

Objective:

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

Priority:

% of the budget allocated:

65%

Supporting diversification

26%

Enhancing and capitalising on the environmental assets

Promoting social wellbeing and cultural heritage

Strengthening the role of fisheries communities in local development

Funding

Total public budget allocated to the FLAG for 2014-2020:

2 471 844

EMFF:

1 928 038
MS co-financing:

543 806
Sources of co-funding:

National

Project examples

Construction of a boat shed for the fisherman's village. This will be used for the demonstration and building of traditional sail boats.
Investment in freezing equipment for fish processing enterprises
Renewal of fishing ports in Narva-Jõesuu, Toila, Karepa Võsu Purtse and Vergi ports will take place with investment support.

Good Practice

Mobilising the Baltic young through LAG-FLAG cooperation

Calls for proposals

The FLAG opens two calls for applications every year, one in spring and another in autumn. Info about the calls are published in the local newspapers and on the FLAG web page: www.vrky.ee.

Expertise & cooperation

In the field of cooperation already established cooperation networks are supported. The participation in regional cooperation will take place with other partners, whose activity is similar to the FLAG (e.g. with LEADER-action groups, county development centres, etc.).

Cooperation projects include:

“Young friends” – in cooperation with the local LEADER group, the ESKO FLAG and the Sepra LAG from Finland
The FLAG is interested in transnational gastronomy projects which promote national fish dishes of partner countries.

Budget envisaged for cooperation:

264196.00

Links with LEADER or other CLLD groups

Three local Leader groups operate in the region, namely NGO Development Centre, KIKO and VIKO. The FLAG has signed the cooperation agreements with these organisation for the implementation of joint activities. The main objectives of these agreements are to introduce young people to the fisheries sector, to promote local food traditions and to develop village community traditions.

Partnership

Members of the partnership:

The partnership includes seven local authorities; 35 entrepreneurs from the fisheries sector (FIE), 16 legal entities active in the fisheries sector, 3 companies not engaged in fisheries, 18 civil society members.

Number of individuals/organisations in partnership/general assembly:

% of fisheries actors:

44%

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

24%

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

% of public actors:

44%

Number of contracted staff in FLAG:

2,00