Area-based Local Development—A New Opportunity for European Fisheries Areas

Abstract

The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) focuses support primarily on the fisheries sector, but areas affected by loss of income from fisheries can also benefit from EFF funding to strengthen local economies and create jobs in fishing communities. Additional sources of income can come from activities linked to fisheries, as well as from a wide range of other sectors, including tourism, environment, culture etc. The main factors of success involve adapting the choice of activities to the specific character of the area, ensuring synergies between activities and partners, strengthening links between the fisheries sector and the wider community and encouraging local ownership and involvement. In this process, the key role is played by multi-sector partnerships—the Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs). These groups are not only responsible for the preparation and implementation of local development strategies, but also for providing skills and advice, mobilising community support and ensuring complementarity of individual projects within a wider strategy.