Support to small scale coastal fisheries ĥ The challenge of generational renewal ĥ FLAGs, local innovation and risk taking ĥ Cooperation takes ...
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No 15 I Autumn 2017 I SSN 1 8 3 1 -5 7 2 0
M A G A Z I N E
ĥĥ Support to small scale coastal fisheries
ĥĥ The challenge of generational renewal
ĥĥ FLAGs, local innovation and risk taking
ĥĥ Cooperation takes off in CLLD fisheries areas
ĥĥ Reports from Spain, Sweden and Germany
EN
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 2 I
Contents
Photographs (pages):
DIOMEDIA / Image Source RF (1), European Commission (3), Mariña-Ortegal (Galicia, Spain):
Lorena van de Kolk (4, 6), Xaime Ramallal (5), Diego Calvo (5), An experienced FLAG shares knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Jean-Luc Janot (6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27,
28, 29), Erika Larsson (9), Leader Mittland Plus (10), Since 2009, the Mariña-Ortegal FLAG has been helping to launch and
GAC Oeste (13, 14), FLAG Cornouaille (13, 15), support small fishing businesses on Galicia’s northern coast, and always
East Finland FLAG (13), ESKO FLAG (16, 18),
Stockholm Archipelago FLAG (20), Margalaica (21), with the same cross-cutting approach – fostering and maintaining syner-
Tourismuszentrum Oberpfalz (23), ARGE Fisch e.V. (24, 25, 26) gies between local and European-level projects through cooperation and
Cover: Young fishermen on a salmon lake in Scotland, UK. active involvement in FARNET.
Journalists:
Jean-Luc Janot, Eamon O’Hara. Report: Lights in all windows
(Västernorrland, Sweden) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
Other contributors:
Pedro Brosei, Urszula Budzich-Tabor, Shane Heneghan, In a sparsely populated rural and coastal area of Sweden, the Leader Mitt-
Sabine Kariger, Marguerite Korenblit, Lorena van de Kolk, land Plus Local Action Group is seeking to include young people, women,
Monica Veronesi Burch, Gilles van de Walle.
the elderly and refugees in the development process.
Production:
DevNet geie (AEIDL/Grupo Alba) / Kaligram.
Supporting local innovation and risk taking:
Contact: three FLAGs, three contexts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
FARNET Magazine, FARNET Support Unit
Rue de la Loi 38, boîte 2 Three-way interview with Rogério Cação (Portugal), Pauline Chalaux (France)
B-1040 Brussels and Pekka Sahama (Finland).
+32 2 613 26 50
info@farnet.eu – www.farnet.eu
The challenge of generational renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
A common challenge identified in FLAG strategies across the EU, from the
Baltic to the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, is an ageing workforce and how
to attract the younger generation into the sector.
FARNET Magazine is published by the Directorate-General Cooperation takes off in CLLD fisheries areas . . . . . . . 20
for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European The fisheries sector is playing a leading role in some of these first CLLD
Commission. It is distributed free on request.
cooperation projects, which can be found across Europe.
FARNET Magazine is published once a year. This issue is
available in English, French, German, Greek and Spanish.
Editor: European Commission, Directorate-General for
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Director-General.
Report: The Land of Four Thousand Ponds . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Disclaimer: Whilst the Directorate-General for Maritime
Affairs and Fisheries is responsible for the overall produc- Tirschenreuth, in north-east Bavaria, is home to around 60 professional fish
tion of this magazine, it is not responsible for the accuracy, farmers and some 4 700 ponds. The area’s identity and local development
content or views expressed within particular articles.
The European Commission has not, save where otherwise strategy are based on aquaculture and carp.
stated, adopted or in any way approved any view appearing
in this publication and statements should not be relied
upon as statements of the Commission’s or the Directorate- FLAG support to Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries . . . . . . 27
General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries’ views. Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries (SSCF) represent the vast majority of jobs and
The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy
of the data included in this publication, nor does the vessels in the EU fisheries sector. However, this part of the fleet has tradition-
European Commission or any person acting on its behalf ally struggled to make the best use of the support available through different
accept responsibility for any use made thereof.
funding schemes, including the EU fisheries fund.
© European Union, 2017.
Reproduction is authorised provided the source is
acknowledged.
Printed in Belgium on recycled paper.
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 3
Editorial
“We have gone faster than in last
period and the first signs from the
ground shows we will also do better”
Maturity and experience are two words that come to mind while Last but not least we can also see that women play an integral
reading the accounts of the three FLAGs featured in this issue of part in the life of many FLAGs as exemplified by the artisanal can-
the FARNET Magazine. The amazing diversity and richness of the ning project developed by three unemployed women in Spain or
projects supported in the different territories is a testament to the women-only workshop on water management from Sweden.
the learning curve that fishing and aquaculture areas have gone It is also a woman who is behind the use of innovative carp art to
through over these past years. Who would have imagined only rebrand the Bavarian Tirschenreuth FLAG area in Germany, a FLAG
a few years ago finding a coral farm in Galicia or carp farming which will be hosting the next FARNET seminar on aquaculture.
becoming trendy again?
The emergence of the first cooperation projects presented in this
This is thanks to the experience gained over the past years within Magazine also reminds us that even though local action is vital to
fishing and aquaculture areas, and the attitude and commit- responding to local needs, it cannot happen in isolation from the
ment of FLAG managers have been key to this success. Learning innovation at play in different parts of the EU. Local action has to
directly from some of them about how to foster even more inno- be reinforced by transfer of knowledge and practical cooperation
vation from the ground is therefore crucial. at the regional, national or transnational level.
These reportages also demonstrate FLAGs to be versatile tools The end of 2017 marks the end of the FLAG selection process and
which can help tailor EU support to the needs and assets of each also corresponds to the mid-point of the implementation period.
local area. They take us on a journey from the shores of one of This means we have gone faster than in last period and the first
the most important fisheries regions in the EU (Galicia) to North- signs from the ground shows we will also do better. Still, now is
ern Sweden where the integrated Mittland Plus LAG/FLAG has the time to keep up the momentum and continue improving fish-
brought its coastal and inland communities together with a com- eries CLLD to ensure thriving fisheries and aquaculture communi-
mon vision for local development. The journey ends in the heart ties by 2020.
of Europe in an inland area which is home to a centuries-old tradi-
tion of fish farming (Tirschenreuth, in north-east Bavaria).
This issue of the FARNET Magazine not only highlights the ability Veronika Veits,
of FLAGs to adapt to a wide variety of territories but also to reach Director, Unit D/3 –
those parts of society that others cannot reach while tackling CFP and Structural Support, Policy
head on some of the important challenges faced by EU fisher- Development and Coordination
ies and aquaculture sectors. Indeed, the survey on FLAG support
to small-scale coastal fishing confirms the crucial role played by
FLAGs in support of this specific segment of the fleet. In addi-
tion, FLAGs are also actively working on supporting generational
renewal in the sector with many different initiatives springing up
in different corners of the EU.
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 4 I
A year in the life of a FL AG
MARIÑA- ORTEGAL [G A L I C I A , S PA I N ]
An experienced FLAG
shares knowledge
Since 2009, the Mariña-Ortegal FLAG has been helping to launch and support small fishing businesses on Galicia’s
northern coast, and always with the same cross-cutting approach – fostering and maintaining synergies between local
and European-level projects through cooperation and active involvement in FARNET.
“Believe me when I tell you that being presi- tomers about the work that goes into get-
dent of a FLAG is hard work,” says Basilio ting products from the net to their plate. Our
Otero, president of the Mariña-Ortegal hard work is starting to pay off. Everyone
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG). involved in the FLAG understands that work-
“Especially when you have to run a lot of ing together and supporting each other
other things, too!” Basilio also happens to is key to local development. We work as a
be president of the Burela cofradía,1 of team. It’s a source of great pleasure.”
the Lugo province fishermen’s federation
and of the confederation of Spanish cof- The Mariña-Ortegal FLAG has 50 mem-
radías. The walls of his office are adorned bers, including fishermen and shellfish
with posters depicting the many facets of gatherers, the 13 local councils, several
the local fisheries sector, including vari- cultural, environmental, social economy
ous projects that the FLAG has supported and other charities and foundations, and ▲ Shellfish gatherers sorting their catch.
since the launch of Axis 4 of the European other representatives of the private sector
Fisheries Fund (EFF) in 2009. and professional organisations. able to small businesses,” adds Alberto
Santos, whose shipbuilding company
“I’m a firm believer in communication. You “With our 2014-2020 strategy, we want to received €140 000 from the EFF Axis 4 to
have to pass on your knowledge. We’ve get as many people involved as possible,” install a new workshop and create six new
produced a lot of promotional materials, explains the FLAG manager, Mar López- jobs at Burela port.
especially for schools. Educating people is Leitón Ramos. “When we launched the fish-
our number one priority. We have to raise eries CLLD programme, we held six public In the period 2007-2013, the FLAG had a
awareness across the board. For example, meetings and met with lots of individual budget of €3.7 million. This has more than
there are copies of this brochure in restau- stakeholders – especially local government doubled to €7.62 million for 2014-2020,
rants all around the local area. It tells cus- employment officers. The knock-on effect making it the second-highest fisheries
was huge. And since then, word of mouth CLLD programme budget in Galicia. The
has done the trick. The FLAG is now seen as FLAG supported 60 projects in 2007-2013
an important player throughout the area.” and has already launched two calls for pro-
1 In Spain, cofradías (fishermen’s guilds) are public jects in the current period. Under the first,
law organisations that operate in an exclusive
geographical area and represent the interests of
“EFF Axis 4 and the fisheries CLLD pro- in July 2016, it selected 18 projects and 17
the fisheries sector as a whole. gramme are the only funding sources avail- of these have already been implemented.
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 5 I
▲ Vanesa Rodríguez produces around 100 different species of coral.
More women
are running businesses
Vanesa Rodríguez has installed 19 aquari-
ums, housing around 100 different species
of coral, in a prefabricated building behind
her stunning Indiano2 style home. She set
up her business, known as Reef Water Coral
Farm, in 2013 with €60 000 from the EFF
Axis 4 (out of a total cost of €200 000). It is
the only farm of its kind in Europe. “There
▲ ASPROMOR employees repairing plastic containers used by auction houses. are four or five coral importers, but I’m the
only person who actually farms it,” explains
Vanessa, who has turned a hobby into a
For the second call, issued in March 2017, delivering cost savings (the auction houses
business. “I’ve always enjoyed collecting
it chose 31 projects from 38 submissions. no longer have to buy new containers,
coral, but I struggled to find some varieties,
“These projects can generally be put into cutting costs by 65%) and reducing the
so I decided to start growing it myself. And
one of two categories,” says Mar. “Some are volume of waste generated. ASPROMOR
I’m about to hit a major milestone – I’m quit-
individual production projects that focus on provided plastic product repair training
ting my sales job in two weeks’ time and I’ll
creating jobs for women and young people. for 12 people who were long-term unem-
be making a living off my coral farm business.
Others are joint projects that mostly benefit ployed, and subsequently hired eight of
charitable organisations.” these trainees. The company is now plan- ▶▶▶
ning to run a container and bin collection
On the social enterprise front, the Mariña- service to broaden its service offering.
Ortegal FLAG is supporting an innovative The fisheries CLLD programme provided
2 The term Indiano refers to Spaniards who emi-
project led by ASPROMOR, a local charity 75% of the total funding for the project grated to South America to seek their fortune.
that provides employment opportunities (€26 785). Upon their return, many Indianos built sumptu-
for disabled people and long-term job- ous colonial-style houses in their home towns.
So-called rutas de las casas de Indianos (Indiano
seekers. The project involves the repair of house streets) have become tourist attractions in
plastic containers used by auction houses, many parts of Spain.
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 6
▲ Nuria Carreño Crispín, one of the founders of Conservas Artesanas Curricán S.L. ▲ The FARNET logo appears on Curricán products.
As with many businesses, it takes five years to
pass the break-even point. It’s even harder in
my case because it takes 18 months to start
Coope rat ion at eve r y leve l growing coral. As my biologist advisor from
Madrid always says, ‘if farming coral were
The Mariña-Ortegal FLAG stands out for its commitment to cooperation
easy, everyone would be doing it’.” Coral
at all levels:
fetches between €15 and €400 per piece.
>> At the local level: the FLAG has funded a programme of school activities (Mares Vanessa sells most of her produce online
de Cultura), bringing together around 15 projects that have received EFF Axis 4 and she has recently launched a new prod-
or fisheries CLLD programme funding. The programme encompasses around 20 uct – a coral-based soap that is claimed to
different activities, including visits to auctions, fishmongers’ and shellfish farms, help treat skin conditions. “It’s also a way
and fun sporting activities connected with the sea and fisheries. The FLAG also to put the pruning off-cuts to good use. We
organises beach clean-up days. released our first soap product three weeks
ago. We’ve signed an agreement with a soap
>> At the regional level: Mariña-Ortegal is one of six FLAGs in Galicia working
factory and we hope to be able to produce
together on the Mar Galaica project, which aims to promote marine tourism and
600 bars a month.” Mar explains why the
heritage. Members visited the Golfo Ártabro Norte FLAG in May 2017.
FLAG supported the project: “It’s a highly
>> At the national level: the FLAG is involved with the Spanish FLAG network. innovative family-run business and it has
already created two new jobs for women.”
>> At the transnational level: the group works with the Costa da Morte FLAG
Vanessa’s business also serves an educa-
(Galicia, Spain), the Levante Almeriense, Noroeste de Cádiz and Cádiz Estrecho
tional purpose, with four school groups
FLAGs (Andalusia, Spain), and the Brest FLAG (Brittany, France) on FLAG working
visiting the farm each month.
methods, administration and project selection.
>> At the European level: the Mariña-Ortegal FLAG has attended all FARNET events Many Galician families preserve fish and
(seminars and conferences) but one. Two projects supported by the FLAG have seafood in jars. In 2012, three unemployed
been presented to the network (Conservas Artesanas Curricán, which won the women decided to harness this tradition
project competition at the FARNET “Sailing Towards 2020” conference in Brussels and start their own business. “We decided
in March 2015; and social enterprise ASPROMOR featured as a case study in the to press ahead when we found out we could
FARNET seminar on social inclusion for vibrant fishing communities, held in get funding and technical support from the
Jūrmala, Latvia, in March 2017). FLAG,” recalls Nuria Carreño Crispín, one of
the three business owners. They secured
€36 000 to fit out premises and buy equip-
ment to process and jar tuna, octopus,
squid and other local fisheries produce.
Five years later, their company, Conser-
vas Artesanas Curricán S.L., processes ten
tonnes of fish each year, creating a dozen
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 7 I
▲ Carmela López, fishmonger. ▲ María José Ríos makes chocolates with algae. ▲ María Begoña Fraguela makes use of the tides
to grow shellfish beneath her premises.
or so different products that are sold at with algae. This innovative project secured “The local area is our industry,” says Alberto
delicatessens across Galicia, as well as in €59 000 from the fisheries CLLD pro- González, mayor of Valdoviño (popula-
Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and as far away gramme, which was used to fit out a new tion: 6 500). The local council is working on
as Andalusia. The project even won an workshop. “I’d been toying with the idea a new surfing museum, which will open in
award at the FARNET conference in Brus- for a long time and the product was ready. August 2017. “I want to take this opportu-
sels in March 2015. The three partners are I decided to make the leap after attending nity to say what a great job the FLAG is doing
extremely grateful for the network’s sup- a FLAG meeting, where I learned about the – and to pay tribute to its tireless coordinator
port and the FARNET logo appears on the strategy and project eligibility criteria.” The in particular. This is the first time we’ve sub-
packaging of all their products. project has created two jobs for women. mitted a project for CLLD programme fund-
ing. The FLAG quickly got involved and really
Carmela López, who opened a stylish- helped us out.”
looking fishmonger’s at Burela port in
2013, has a similar story. “I was unem-
Young entrepreneurs Valdoviño boasts “one of Spain’s top three
ployed after losing my job at a big fish Some 40.3% of young people in Galicia surfing beaches (Pantín)”, according to
trading firm. I was horrified that local are unemployed3, and for this reason the Jacobo Suárez, who set up the Sinaliza
catches were being sold at rock-bottom FLAG has made youth employment a top project in 2016. His company, which
prices, with no genuine concern for qual- priority. designs environmentally friendly infor-
ity. I read about the FLAG in the press and mation boards, received €20 000 from the
went to see Mar. She gave me a lot of help In 2013, jobseeker María Begoña Fraguela fisheries CLLD programme. “Around here,
to set up my business.” Carmela obtained launched a shellfish farming business after there are seven beaches where people surf
€38 000 of the €91 000 she needed from completely overhauling the former breed- all year round. It’s a major boost to the local
the EFF Axis 4, which she used to buy ing tank at Cariño port, which was built in economy and it creates employment oppor-
equipment for her second business line 1931 but unused since 1985 and in a state tunities for young people. Surfing directly
– providing fisheries products to schools of disrepair. The infrastructure is truly accounts for 40 local jobs.”
and retirement homes. “The shop brings unique – the sea rises and falls with the ▶▶▶
in about 60% of my revenue and the cater- tides around the stilts beneath the build-
ing business makes up the remaining 40%,” ing, allowing shellfish to grow in an entirely
explains Carmela, who is about to meet natural setting. EFF Axis 4 provided 60% of
representatives from three schools in the €62 000 investment needed to restore
Asturias that are interested in her service. the structure. Maria Begonia now farms
The company has created four jobs. lobster, giant crab, velvet crab and crayfish.
“We buy some of the shellfish at auction, but
In Ribadeo, near the border with Asturias, we also farm a lot from birth. We keep them
María José Ríos has turned her chocolate- here as prices and demand change. We sell
making expertise into a business. She to local individuals and restaurants, and we
recently opened a shop selling artisanal also have customers in big cities. Our revenue 3 Eurostat: Unemployment in the EU regions in 2016,
chocolates, including two products filled is increasing all the time.” 27 April 2017.
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 8
The FLAG is supporting a number of surf- the project because it comprised two com- CLLD programme to run fun workshops
ing-related projects. Agustín González ponents – manufacturing and education,” for children, buy 12 electric and hybrid
wanted to stay living in Valdoviño, so he explains Mar. The FLAG provided €85 000 bikes, and invest in a surfing simulator to
decided to set up his own business, open- of the total investment of €187 000. “The allow beginners and experienced surf-
ing a Surf & Breakfast in 2015. “If you want business would never have gotten off the ers to train on dry land. The company has
to live around here, you need to work for ground without this support,” says Ana de maintained two full-time jobs. Iván has
yourself. Otherwise, you have no option but Lara, a full-time employee at Maremasma. also developed a smartphone app, giv-
to leave. I realised that there was no hostel- The firm created four jobs in its first year ing users access to five hiking and moun-
style accommodation for surfers locally, so I and now employs 12 people. tain biking routes around Burela, and also
submitted a project proposal to the FLAG.” showing various points of interest, includ-
EFF Axis 4 covered three quarters of the ing fisheries.
€100 000 that Agustín needed to renovate
and fit out the large villa he rents for his
business. Further east along the coast, in
Foz, is another, similar project, this time
FARNET sharing
working with schools. The business offers The work does not end once projects like
surfing, residential language courses and those mentioned here – start-ups and
sports and cultural activities around fish- small-scale infrastructure – are up and
ing and the marine environment. EFF running. The Mariña-Ortegal FLAG funds a
Axis 4 provided €150 000 of the total programme of 23 school activities involv-
€287 000 investment. ing 15 different project initiators (see box
▲ Iván García runs a sports and leisure company.
page 6) who, together, form a sort of local
In the same town, a group of sailing club Iván García, who founded his sports, lei- network. And the same rule also applies at
instructors founded Maremasma S.L. in sure and events company in 2007, has a other levels – the FLAG president or coor-
2014, in an effort to diversify their income similar tale to tell. “I work with local author- dinator have, for example, attended every
and overcome problems of seasonality. ities, hotels and individuals, but I needed to single FARNET seminar and conference
The business now also manufactures surf diversify, retain my existing customer base since 2009.
boards and, in winter, organises school and tap into the potential of the sea.” His
tours focusing on the environment, fish- firm, IG10, secured a €55 000 grant (50% “I think there should be more FARNET
eries and the sea. “We decided to support of the total outlay) from the fisheries seminars,” explains Basilio. “You learn so
much from them – and it’s not just techni-
cal knowledge. You also get to talk to other
FLAGS from across Europe and find out what
MARIÑA-ORTEGAL (Spain)
they’re doing and how they work. The FAR-
NET seminars and our local cooperation
Mariña-Ortegal work fit together nicely. FARNET covers gen-
Area: eral themes that encompass a lot of smaller
1 155 km² subjects. And most of our other coopera-
tion work focuses on a specific challenge or
Population:
project. It’s a bit like the difference between
83 838 inhabitants
macro- and micro-economics.”
GALICIA Density:
72.6 inhabitants/km² Basilio believes that the main challenge
for FARNET events is to keep both long-
standing and new FLAGS interested: “I
SPA I N think it would be useful to have a seminar
looking at how more experienced FLAGs can
EMFF Budget EUR
transfer their knowledge and expertise to
EU Regional Total newer groups.” ■
Total 6 476 736 1 142 953 7 619 689
CONTACT
Grupo de Acción Local do Sector Pesqueiro A Mariña-Ortegal
c/o María del Mar López-Leitón Ramos
Rúa Praia, 1-2º Celeiro E-27863, Viveiro (Lugo)
Tel.: +34 982 56 33 55 / +34 606 56 85 06
gac1@accioncosteira.es
http://www.accioncosteira.es/
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 9 I
Report
I N C LU S I V E CO M M U N I T Y- L E D LO C A L
D E V E L O P M E N T I N E A S T- C E N T R A L S W E D E N
Lights in all windows
In a sparsely populated rural and coastal area of Sweden, the Leader Mittland Plus Local Action Group is seeking to
include young people, women, the elderly and refugees in the development process.
“See, you’re doing the work with me.” Tablet
in hand, Erik Spade, a biologist with the
Örnsköldsvik municipality, inspects and
points out a culvert that carries a river
– and its fish – beneath a forest road. From
his computer, he can access location data
and detailed information about every
man-made structure in the Moälven river
basin – an area covering some 2 300 km².
But it has been years since the last inspec-
tion and Erik’s data is outdated and does
not always reflect reality. Conducting a
detailed inventory and structural inspec-
tions of man-made structures is, there-
fore, one of the first projects supported by
the Leader Mittland Plus group’s fisheries
CLLD programme. “The project has three
components,” explains Erik. “First, we’re
assessing the condition of around 150 man-
made structures in the area, which could ▲ “Lights in all Windows”, a slogan that captures the challenge of the local strategy.
be blocking migration routes for salmon
and trout – species that are now returning owners working on the spawning grounds. We want to change that. Women make up
after many years. Secondly, we’re creating As for the inventory of potential salmonid half of the population. Many of them are
spawning grounds for the fish. And thirdly, migration route obstacles, about thirty recreational fishers or own waterside prop-
we’re raising awareness among local peo- young people have volunteered. I met them erty or forest land. We will soon be holding
ple – especially waterside property owners – at an at-sea surveillance training and I told a seminar exclusively for women under the
about the importance of managing water them about the fisheries CLLD project. They education component of the project. I won’t
and fish stocks in an area known for inten- said they’d be willing to get involved and a be there. All of the speakers and attendees
sive logging.” few weeks ago they set up a Facebook group will be women. Men still think they have a
to coordinate their work. They’re now get- monopoly on water management expertise,
Erik has set up volunteer groups to imple- ting ready to do the job.” so the idea is to help women take ownership
ment the project. “As a biologist, it’s my job of the project.”
to develop the theoretical tools. Then, local But Erik is also keen to get women on ▶▶▶
residents carry out the work. We’ve got six board. “Fishing is an industry dominated
groups of fishermen and waterside property by men – especially men of a certain age.
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Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 10 I
Flying the (F)LAG
The Leader Mittland Plus group was
formed when two LEADER groups – Mitt-
land and Timråland – merged. It now acts
as a one-stop shop for local develop-
ment in Västernorrland, a county in east-
central Sweden. Here, LAG and FLAG are
one and the same.4 Because Sweden has
adopted a multi-fund approach for the
2014-2020 period, Leader Mittland Plus
has resources from the EAFRD (€3 million),
the EMFF (€758 000), the ESF (€481 000)
and the ERDF (€348 000) to support pro-
jects under one single strategy. “The funds
are separate, but there’s plenty of flexibility,”
explains group coordinator Erika Larsson.
“Quality and alignment with the strategy are
what really matters. When we get a project
proposal, we channel it to the appropriate
fund, according to its objective – rural, social
or fisheries. That’s how it always works for
smaller projects. We tend to submit more ▲ Erik Spade inspecting a culvert beneath a forest road.
than one funding application for bigger pro-
jects – EAFRD for the rural part and EMFF for
The over-arching strategy is divided into
the fisheries component, for example.”
a number of priority areas. “One of our
slogans is ‘an open forest and open seas’,”
The 12-member group comprises repre-
says Erika. “That’s where Erik’s project fits
sentatives from the public, private and
in. Social economy is also really important
non-profit sectors across the four munici-
for us because it can provide jobs and local
palities, plus one representative of the
services in our villages. We’re also encourag-
local (largely recreational) fisheries indus-
ing people to set up businesses, especially in
try. Erika and her colleague Anna Svedin
the tourism sector, as a way to create new
are in charge of coordinating the group
employment opportunities. Accessibility
and helping draft project proposals, with
is another key word and, more generally,
the help of four local “inspirers” (their
inclusion is one of the main thrusts of what
own choice of term for animators), one
we do. In fact, if we were writing our strategy
from each of the four municipalities. Once
today, inclusion would make up about half
complete, the proposals are submitted to
of the content.”
the (F)LAG, which selects the best bids
according to quality. ▲ The Matfors model.
The Leader Mittland Plus group’s strat- Model
egy bears the catchy title “Lights in all
The latest project to receive Leader Mitt- after an accident, while others are unskilled
Windows”. “We chose the title because it
land Plus approval is a prime example of workers,” explains project leader Lena
encapsulates the challenge facing coastal
this drive for inclusive local development. Schmidt. “We’re going to set up a work-
and inland areas alike,” says Anna. “They’re
In the small town of Matfors (population: shop adjoining the museum, where they’ll
sparsely populated and most of the houses
3 200) stands an abandoned industrial be making handicrafts, including replicas
are second homes, so they’re empty for 11
paper mill. A local resident used recycled of the small houses from the model to sell to
months of the year.”
materials to produce a stunningly detailed visitors.” Leader Mittland Plus is providing
12 m² model of the factory and the brick half of the total cost, from two funds – the
houses of the workers’ village. The town’s EAFRD for the museum and the ESF for the
federation of 50 local charities has now social enterprise. The project will be up
decided to convert the former paper mill and running by the summer of 2018. “This
4 A LAG is a local action group under the LEADER
into a museum, and to make the model is the first time we’ve combined funds from
programme (sustainable development). A FLAG its main attraction. It has also founded the EAFRD and the ESF,” adds Erika. “We
is a fisheries local action group (local develop- a social enterprise employing around a can’t wait to see how it turns out.”
ment of coastal and fishing-dependent areas). The
abbreviation “(F)LAG” could therefore apply to the
dozen long-term job-seekers. “Some of
Leader Mittland Plus group. them are tradespeople, left unable to workI I
Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 11
Pleasure-boaters
and refugees
The tiny hamlet of Tynderö sits on the
Baltic coast, where an inlet separates the
mainland from an island. Harald Nordkvist
is president of the local fishermen’s asso-
ciation, of which all 65 members are ama-
teurs. “Except for one boat, which supplies
a fermented herring canning factory, there
have been no professional fishermen around
here since the 1980s,” explains Harald. “Our
future lies in tourism and pleasure-boating
services.” In 2013, the association began
overseeing work to turn the small fish-
ing port into a marina. A quay has already
been built on the island shore and work
has recently begun on a second project to
construct a pontoon and convert a former
ice warehouse into a café, restaurant and
service centre for pleasure-boaters stop-
ping off on the way to the High Coast5 in
the north. As well as injecting fresh life ▲ Building a new pontoon in Tynderö.
into local tourism, the people behind the
project also want to create jobs for refu-
gees. “There used to be a refugee centre not
The People’s House
far from here. It closed recently for logistical The coastal town of Timrå is home to one
reasons. But when we submitted the pro- of Sweden’s 600 “People’s Houses”, but
posal back in 2016, there were 400 refugees “one of only a handful that are self-man-
living in the local area. We thought that aged the way we do it”, according to the
opening a café and service centre would give Director, Christina Thonman. The centre, a
them a chance to find work.” sort of arty, relaxed setting, offers a wide
range of cultural and leisure services,
“What Harald says gets to the heart of one including a library, concert venue, record-
of our main concerns,” notes Erika. “Many ing studio, gym and café. It has hosted ▲ The People’s House in Timrå .
of our projects are designed with refugees in film screenings, plays, lectures and even
mind. We tell them to ‘bring their skills, and live broadcasts streamed via satellite from
we will do the rest’. We can help them find the New York’s Metropolitan Opera, Mos-
somewhere to live, get a job, or even set up cow’s Bolshoi Theatre, and a recent TED
their own business.” According to Statistics Talk event in Vancouver. But what is most
Sweden, there were 5 792 asylum seekers remarkable is the way in which the Peo-
living in the area covered by the Leader ple’s House is managed – mainly by young
Mittland Plus group in 2016. So the (F)LAG volunteers (aged 13-19), with a small paid
has commissioned a study to look at the team of employees and “seniors” (older
role of immigrants in local development. youths who “worked” at the venue when
“Based on the results of the study, we plan to they were teenagers).
run a project targeting refugees,” says Erika.
“Each year, between 60 and 100 teenagers
spend on average one day a week here,”
explains Christina. “We introduced our self-
management programme back in 1985, as a
way to modernise the people’s movement.6
Young people manage everything here. But
this is not a youth centre, we appeal to a
much broader audience. Our aim is to target
the entire community.”
5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Coast.
▶▶▶
6 Sweden’s People’s Houses (Folkets Hus) have long
been associated with the workers’ movement. The ▲ Christina Thonman holding the
Timrå People’s House opened in 1901. “House without Racism” network plaque.I I
Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 12
Around half of the young volunteers come Just the beginning
from troubled family backgrounds or have
Erika Larsson sums up what community-
special needs. “Often, they’re the most resil-
led local development is all about in
ient ones,” says Christina, affectionately.
Västernorrland, and the prospects for
The People’s House has teamed up with
EMMF-funded CLLD, which is only begin-
the Leader Mittland Plus group to support
ning: “Inclusion and accessibility are both
a number of social projects and to work
local priorities targeted in all four funds.
with refugees. For example, “People’s
For us, the “lights in all windows” objective
meetings and the Söråker world” is a pro-
is one part of the solution. EMFF CLLD is still
ject aimed at creating an open, tolerant
new for us, and we expect many more pro-
cultural venue and social arena, and the
jects to come. We do get a lot of questions
“Folkan Garden” is a social garden, also
▲ Pascal Doré leads the setting-up of a about the EMFF and the new opportunities
developed as part of the People’s House car-sharing platform.
it brings to our area. In fact, two new EMFF-
concept. “Last year, there was a bust-up
projects will be presented to the next (F)LAG
between Afghan and Swedish youths. We
Pascal put together a seven-strong team meeting: one is a local project about a future
had to do something about it, so we brought
to submit a proposal to the (F)LAG, secur- aquaculture park; and the other is a trans-
15 young Afghans into the programme. It’s
ing €73 000 in funding – €20 000 from the national project on the economic impacts
working really well.”
EAFRD and the rest from Sweden’s Min- of seals and cormorants on aquaculture
istry of Agriculture and other sponsors. and fisheries, involving Finland, Estonia,
The platform is currently being devel- Latvia and Poland. But this is just the start.
Car-sharing oped by a social enterprise that special- The main aim of CLLD is local development
ises in computing. Meanwhile, Pascal and regardless of which fund is used, and, as
Pascal Doré – a Dutch national living in
his friends have already started market- we don’t separate the LAG from the FLAG,
Sweden for the last four years – arranged
ing the system. “We’re targeting schools, the development opportunities of the FLAG
to meet us outside the petrol station in
charities and social media in particular,” he increase. We can be a lot more flexible and
Ljustorp, a remote village in the munici-
explains. “It’s about getting the ball roll- we can focus on doing what’s best for the
pality of Timrå. “See this petrol station here?
ing. We have to find 50 or 60 users to act area, taking the best parts of all four funds
It belongs to the community,” he explains.
as ambassadors, so we can reach a criti- in order to achieve the aims of our local
“Local people formed a cooperative to be
cal mass.” The platform will be ready in strategy.” ■
able to buy their fuel here.” Pascal is a recy-
August 2017 and the system will be up
cling consultant who often travels long
and running in January 2018.
distances for work. He sees transport as
one of the region’s major challenges, so,
LEADER MITTLAND PLUS (Sweden)
with a few friends, he decided to set up a
car-sharing platform. “This is obviously a
remote location,” he adds. “There’s a coach
service, but it’s limited. You need a car to Area:
get around here, but not everyone has that Leader 25 390 km²
Mittland Plus
option – especially young people, the elderly
Population:
and refugees. But there are also lots of com-
172 744 inhabitants
muters travelling to and from Timrå, Sunds-
vall and elsewhere on the coast. Our idea Density:
was to set up an online platform and an app 6.8 inhabitants/km²
to connect drivers and passengers in real
time, for both regular trips and one-off jour- S W ED EN
neys between villages. It’s a proven model
that works in other places – users pay a sub-
EMFF Budget EUR
scription and get an account, passengers
pay drivers for each trip, and the platform EU National Regional & Local Total
manages the financial side of things. Eve- Total 370 500 125 970 244 530 741 000
ryone saves money and it makes transport
more flexible. And because it keeps extra CONTACT
cars off the road, it’s good for the environ- Leader Mittland Plus
ment too.” c/o Erika Larsson
Box 890, S-851 24 Sundsvall
Tel.: +46 70 316 23 66
info@mittlandplus.se
www.mittlandplus.seI I
Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 13
People
Supporting local innovation
and risk taking: three FLAGs,
three contexts
Rogério Cação Pauline Chalaux Pekka Sahama
Supporting innovation is a mandatory feature of CLLD, but for the stakeholders, our goal is to include a maritime education,
FLAGs and managing authorities need to create appropriate research and innovation expert in our FLAG decision-making
conditions for such support. FARNET has asked representatives body. It was not the case with Axis 4 of the EFF and we think it will
of three FLAGs how this issue was addressed in different fisher- support the development of innovative projects.
ies areas. Answers were provided by Rogério Cação (President,
Oeste FLAG, Portugal), Pauline Chalaux (Manager, Cornouaille
FLAG, Brittany, France) and Pekka Sahama (Manager, East Fin- Can you briefly describe one or two projects your FLAG
land FLAG). has supported that you consider particularly innovative?
What did your FLAG do to make the project happen?
Pekka: We have a project called “Developing selective systems
FARNET Magazine: What is innovation for you? How
for vendace trawls”. Vendace is the most important fish species in
important is it in your FLAG’s work?
our fishery in East-Finland and vendace stocks are underutilised
Rogério: Innovating is doing things differently in order to achieve in many of our lakes. Trawl fishing is the most efficient and spe-
better results. It is also about discovering alternative processes to cific method. But in trawl fishing there is also a risk of by-catch
reach the same goals. It means creating something new which of endangered land-locked salmon and brown trout. Commercial
responds to a concrete need. fishermen want to make their fishing method more sustainable.
A totally new system has been developed, “escape opening”,
Pekka: Innovation is a way of doing things in a new way. This is a
through which the salmon swims freely out from trawl. We have
very important aspect of our strategy and FLAG´s work.
a video of the project.
Pauline: For our FLAG, as part of the CLLD, it means develop-
▶▶▶
ing new processes, new products, new ways of work, but also of
dialogue/consultation for the benefit of the whole FLAG area. As
other FLAGs in Brittany, we are also a LEADER LAG and we man-
age EMFF, EAFRD and regional funds under a single strategy. AsI I
Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 14
People
It took almost two years to start the project. We studied experi- How is innovation addressed in your FLAG strategy and
ences of selective trawl fishing methods abroad. Meetings were in your animation activities?
held with researchers and funders and commercial fishermen. As
Rogério: We organise animation meetings especially for poten-
the project promoter, we found a private development company
tial project promoters. There, we show examples in order to stim-
from our area. We found out that the project seemed to be so big
ulate their motivation.
that we also needed support from other axes of the EFF.
Pauline: Innovation is very important in our strategy and we
Rogério: The project “Pilado added value”, has been imple-
have two main criteria for the EMFF CLLD projects we will sup-
mented by the Polytechnic of Leiria. It is about finding new use
port: innovation and collaboration (pooling of resources)
for pilado crab (Polybius henslowii), an abundant resource for
between stakeholders. We will certainly help all companies and
which there had not been any use so far. Another project is “Do
other interested organisations in our area make contact with the
Mar ao Prato” (From the Sea to the Plate), which has also been
bodies specialised in innovation that can help them develop their
implemented by the same institute. It promotes the synergies
ideas.
between science and gastronomy by developing a gastronomic
guide dedicated to local traditions, which also integrates sci- Pekka: Innovation is important in the whole FLAG strategy in
entific information on the used marine species. The guide was East Finland. For example, we have worked in partnership with
designed in an appealing way, which turned it into an excellent the Eureka! Ranch, an innovation engineering company which
tool for the promotion of tourism. helps in the development of innovative products and services
(eurekaranch.com). We met Eureka! Ranch representative at the
In order to stimulate innovative ideas, we launched open chal-
FARNET seminar in Holland. The company helped us increase the
lenges to the creativity of project promoters through local and
overall sales for frozen vendace. This work involved an export
regional media, on our website and on Facebook, keeping in
study of vendace roe which indicated a need for some certificate
mind the potential in the universities. Then the projects just
of sustainability. After that, we decided to make MSC pre-assess-
popped up on their own.
ment, the first one for fisheries in Finland, and full assessment is
running today. Now there are some positive views in the export
Pauline: The main innovative project we support in Cornouaille
market of vendace.
is a business incubator facility linked to a hatchery laboratory. It
aims to attract, host and support new aquaculture businesses.
The promoters are Agrocampus Beg-Meil (a research and train-
Do you have bodies in your partnership or do you work
ing centre) and the intermunicipal body of Fouesnant in Corn-
in close partnership with bodies that have a particularly
ouaille. The FLAG and the local Technopole Quimper Cornouaille
strong link with innovation?
technology agency support this project on three key aspects:
networking, funding and political support. Another project we Rogério: Yes, we have strong links with the Superior School
support is studying the possibility of developing spirulina aqua- for Marine Technology and, as has been mentioned it, with the
culture (producing dietary supplement from algae) in a social marine research institute of the Polytechnic of Leiria.
enterprise (integration through work).
Pauline: We are fortunate to have in our partnership the Techno-
One opportunity to get new project ideas was a meeting with pole Quimper Cornouaille, a local technology agency, particu-
civil society representatives at which the FLAG strategy (which larly specialised on marine activities. We also have two research
included aquaculture development) was presented; this is where centres dedicated to marine biology, an applied research centre
one of the promoters got its diversification idea! dedicated to the food industry (a partner in our ialys food clus-
ter), and a good network of innovative local businesses.I
Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 15I
▲ Cooperation with research and innovation centres in the Cornouaille and Oeste FLAG areas.
Is the risk of failure a particular concern? How do you Is the managing authority or national network – or any-
address it? How do you draw lessons from failures? body else – providing guidance, capacity building focused on
innovation, learning opportunities between FLAGs, etc.?
Pekka: When I started my work as FLAG manager I had the mis-
sion to find new ways of working with the fisheries sector, with a Rogério: Not specifically. I must say that innovation is part of the
big risk of failure. Innovative projects can lead to results only after “official speech” but there are no concrete mechanisms or instru-
many years. Results of the project need to be analysed carefully, ments for its promotion.
through open reporting and discussions with all stakeholders.
Pekka: We have had very close cooperation between Finnish
Rogério: We have to face the risk of failure already at the stage FLAGs from the beginning – informal at first, but regular. We
of project assessment. It is then that we ask the project promoter share the results and experiences very openly. This is very impor-
about concrete options for concrete problems. Drawing lessons tant and it helps a lot. FLAG managers, who represent many dif-
is primarily ensured through internal meetings with the promot- ferent skills and types of expertise, are really valuable support
ers on the reasons for and consequences of failure. If the project when planning innovative projects.
is innovative, we will ask the project promoter to meet the local
Pauline: We have Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, an economic
innovation agency. They are members of the FLAG and it’s their
development cluster focused on the sea, which leads innovation
task to accompany innovation. We’ll also advise the project pro-
in our region. The cluster facilitates the emergence of collabora-
moter to do a market study – with a margin of error – because it
tive research and development projects and supports the growth
helps limit the project risk of failure.
of its member companies, particularly by placing new products,
services and processes resulting from research on the market. We
should also soon have a national network for EMFF CLLD. Innova-
Are there any obstacles to innovation in the imple-
tion will certainly be a common topic on which we’ll cooperate. ■
mentation system? How might these be overcome?
Rogério: Innovation is not understood in the same way by all Interviews conducted (in English) in May 2017.
stakeholders, for instance authorities look at innovative projects
primarily from the point of view of eligibility. We had projects for
which authorities had certain reservations, fortunately the pro-
moters were able to eliminate these reservations by coming up
with technical and scientific solutions. On the other hand, inno-
vation is always an expensive process, and that’s why the finan-
cial means are always scarce in relation to the ideas that come up.
Pekka: Actually, in the previous period we had a little more free-
dom to implement our strategy. For example, we are under CFP
rules and common problems are “overfishing”, etc. That’s why we
cannot finance projects which increase fishing effort, although
many lakes here are “under-fished”. EU rules seem to be stricter
now than during last period and that does not help us to have
innovative projects. To my mind, we FLAGs should have more
liberty to implement our well-planned strategies – CLLD is only
about 11% of the EMFF in Finland.I I
Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 16
Focus
A C A R E E R I N F I S H E R I E S O R A Q U A C U LT U R E ?
The challenge of generational
A common challenge identified in Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) This starts with the fishing or production
attending the FARNET seminar in Latvia in activity for each species and extends right
FLAG strategies across the EU, from
March 2017 highlighted the average age through to where and by whom they are
the Baltic to the Atlantic to the of fishermen in their areas, which ranged eventually consumed, including how they
from 49 (Brittany, France) to almost 60 are transported, traded, processed, pack-
Mediterranean, is an ageing work-
(southern Finland), and expressed con- aged and marketed. Support can then
force and how to attract the younger cern for the durability of the sector, and be targeted at those activities that need
the resulting environmental and social strengthening and can have the most
generation into the sector.
impacts, if the current trajectory doesn´t impact on the sector’s success, and on
change. ensuring that value generated stays in
Around Europe, fishing and aquaculture
the area – a challenge that many fisheries
activities are diverse, as are the working
While the barriers to entering the fisheries areas grapple with.
conditions in the sector, retirement provi-
sector vary from country to country, and
sions and the education systems in place
depend on the type of fishing or aquacul-
to channel new recruits towards a career
ture present, certain issues are recurrent,
in fisheries. And yet, a common challenge
including: a general lack of awareness
Young fishermen
identified in FLAG strategies across the
and/or poor image of the fisheries sector Fishing companies in many areas are
EU, from the Baltic to the Atlantic to the
as a career choice; concerns linked to the struggling to find workers. This is espe-
Mediterranean, is an ageing workforce
quality of life one can expect from a career cially true for off-shore fishing, given the
and how to attract the younger genera-
in fisheries (working conditions, work-life tough working conditions and the long
tion into the sector. Something, it seems,
balance, wages etc.); and the difficulties of periods away from home and family that
needs to change if local communities are
obtaining permits and covering the start- come with the job. Indeed, reports point
to preserve the know-how to profit from
up costs of acquiring a boat or an aquacul- to many fishing boats resorting to irregu-
their fisheries resource in the future, and
ture farm. lar ways of recruiting a full crew, including
maintain healthy marine and fresh water
hiring immigrants that do not have their
ecosystems based on sustainably man-
papers in order or recognized qualifica-
aged fisheries.
tions, or using retired fishermen to plugI I
Farnet Magazine No 15 Autumn 2017 page 17
▲ Young fishermen in Cyprus. ▲ Ben George, a fisherman from Cornwall, UK.
renewal
holes – despite rules against doing so and Initiatives are under way around Europe, Another set of more concrete barriers
the physical challenges of taking on such with varying degrees of success. FLAGs tend to be more country specific, and
tough work. need to look at tackling the multiple fac- depend on the systems in place (or not) to
tors that result in low interest on the one train young people, provide start-up sup-
Small-scale coastal fishing also faces hand, and the significant obstacles on the port, and ensure that permits and quota
recruitment challenges, linked to a variety other, to embarking on a career in fisheries. are accessible. FLAGs can help promote
of issues, such as the perceived (and often existing provisions. For example, many
very real) difficulties of making a good liv- This starts with a series of activities to help Member States have opened up Article 31
ing from small-scale fishing, and the high raise awareness of the fisheries sector and of the EMFF to provide support for those
start-up costs or the lack of quota made its contribution to society, while also pro- under 40 to purchase a vessel. More active
available in some areas. The poor image of moting it as an attractive career choice. promotion of this opportunity, and hands
the sector, which, in many countries, lacks It also requires significant dedication to on support to take advantage of it, could
the respect that professions such as teach- actually making the sector more attrac- help to improve uptake. FLAGs could
ing or nursing enjoy, also appears to play tive. For this, making the sector more also work more closely with national and
a strong role in dissuading young people profitable is fundamental, be it through regional authorities to ensure existing
(or their parents) of the merits of a career the use of new methods or technologies schemes are really meeting needs on the
in fishing. to increase quality, optimize handling or ground and, in some cases, they could
improve marketing. Boosting the image of organise their own local initiatives such
So how do we convince young people that fishing as an interesting and challenging as training and apprenticeships for young
life as a fisherman will offer them profes- job, demanding environmental and tech- people.
sional fulfilment and a decent living? This nological know-how, and offering links to
▶▶▶
is the question that many FLAGs and fish- more “popular” activities such as tourism
ing organisations are grappling with, along or marketing, can also make it significantly
with strict legislation on taking youngsters more attractive to young people.
on board and a lack of organised appren-
ticeships to allow them to learn the trade
and transition to professional fishing.You can also read
