The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. today launched the Local Development Strategies for the 7 Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs).
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. today launched the Local Development Strategies for the 7 Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) established under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme and announced the first call for applications for the €12 million FLAG funding available.
Minister Creed said: “I am delighted to announce the publication of the new Local Development Strategies for our 7 FLAGs. These Strategies will guide the FLAGs in best using the €12 million funding available to them under the EMFF Operational Programme. The Strategies will promote and support innovative projects in their regions that foster economic growth and jobs, by adding value to seafood products and diversifying the local economies of these coastal areas towards new economic activities, particularly in the broader maritime sector. These new Strategies have been developed by the 7 FLAGs over the course of 2016 and are the culmination of much analysis and consultation on the needs of their coastal regions and of their potential opportunities for growth and development.”
Minister Creed added: “I am also delighted to announce that the 7 FLAGs are now inviting applications within their regions to fund projects that contribute to the objectives of their Local Development Strategy. I have made available €2.4 million to Bord Iascaigh Mhara in 2017, and this will be dispersed in full to the projects selected by the FLAGs in 2017 for support. Overall, €12 million will be available over the course of the EMFF Programme.”
Funding under the FLAG Scheme Contributes to the Action Plan for Rural Development.
Pictured at the launch of the Local Development Strategies for the seven Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) are:
L to R: Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD; Jerry Gallagher – Chair North FLAG; Paddy Crowe -Chair of West FLAG; Kieran Calnan – Chairman BIM; Kevin Flannery – Acting Chair South West FLAG; Finnian O’Sullivan – Chair South FLAG; Garrett O’Brien – Chair North East FLAG; Mary Gavin – Vice Chair North West FLAG; Eibhlin O’Shea – South FLAG and Noel McDonagh – Chair South East FLAG.
