FLAG Factsheet
The FLAG area is situated in the north-western part of the Western Pomerania region, close to the German border. There are relatively few protected areas or areas of high natural value, but the area’s clean and attractive beaches are a strong asset and a foundation for the development of tourism and water sports. The fisheries sector consists of small-scale boats which primarily land Baltic herring, sprat, cod, flounder, turbot, salmon, trout, roach, pike and perch, sold mainly to gastronomy and processing.
One of the key challenges to the FLAG area is a high outmigration, especially of young people, and a very low and declining rate of employment (the number of economically active inhabitants per 1000 is 110, compared to 192 across the whole Western Pomerania region and 226 across the country). The existing infrastructure is insufficient to develop tourism activities and fully utilise the area’s water and fisheries-related potential.
There are 26 protected areas consisting mainly of coastal and bird habitats, natural reserves and one protected landscape. However, the total protected areas are small in comparison to the entire FLAG area (only 1.6%).
The FLAG will analyse the causes of outmigration and try to address them; it will support businesses to develop the area’s fisheries supply chain, to create and maintain jobs and to start new business activities based on the water potential of the area.
It will also finance tourism and recreation infrastructure linked with the area’s fisheries heritage and tradition. Training and educational activities for the community are of importance to ensure that the inhabitants understand and use the potential of CLLD funding, as this is a new FLAG, not operational in 2007-2013.
National
Project examples and ideas for the Western Pomerania FLAG include:
There are periodic calls for projects once or twice a year, which are published on the FLAG website: http://rlgdpz.pl
The FLAG has experience in providing advice to beneficiaries. The FLAG is interested in cooperating with other coastal FLAGs in Poland or transnationally on topics such as stimulating and encouraging beneficiaries and environmental protection.
The FLAG has no links with other CLLD groups
The public sector is represented by eight municipalities and a cultural centre; the private sector includes local tourist businesses, fishermen and a fish farm. There are also several associations (including the Szczecin branch of the Polish Anglers’ Association) and individual actors.