FLAG Factsheet
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.
Maismaa kaitseala - Lahemaa Rahvuspark
The FLAG strategy will focus on:
National
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.
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:
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.
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.