The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is funding six groups to deliver community led local development in England. These Fisheries Local Action Groups, FLAGs, will use the knowledge of local stakeholders to tackle fisheries issues at a local level. The MMO, which administers the EMFF in England recently issued funds to six FLAGS to take forward their strategies and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly FLAG tells us more about their approach below:
£800,000 European and government funding approved
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly FLAG welcomes the approval of its funding by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). This will invest £800,000 in the local economy from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the MMO.
We are excited to have the opportunity to focus on locally identified priorities and build upon previous FLAG success, as we have a sound understanding of key partners and local contacts to turn thee ideas into quality projects that will make a real difference to our fishing communities.
Funding themes
Our priorities and themes have come from a widespread consultation process across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to ensure that the investment is targeted towards the needs of the industry.
The FLAG will be supported by Cornwall Development Company who will carry out the management and administration and Cornwall Rural Community Charity who will provide the animation function for the partnership; working directly with the industry.
The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly FLAG will have three local themes within its strategy:
- Safe working harbours
- Encouraging and supporting young people into marine careers
- Innovation research and diversification
Funding priorities
Within these three themes the FLAG has 4 priorities:
- Supporting innovation, diversification and micro business development. This will aim to build communities through encouraging collaboration between fishermen
- Developing and supporting social, economic and environmental projects which especially benefit smaller and isolated communities where the numbers of beneficiaries is low but impact is an important consideration
- Supporting innovation projects, by bringing forward new fish products, fish waste/bi-products and new processing methods. Such projects could be in partnerships with social enterprises, scientists and researchers
- Developing and supporting training to mentor new entrants. Working with skipper mentors to develop training to ensure entrants are safe and skilled in the many requirements of work. This priority has been spawned from previous FLAG projects and will look to develop a much more thorough new entrant programme with mentoring
For further information contact Chris Ranford, Cornwall Rural Community Charity on 01736 364324.