EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUND (EFF) Axis 4: Sustainable Development of Fisheries Areas Christine FALTER DG Fisheries Unit C1 – General Aspects of Structural Policy

STRUCTURE European Fisheries Fund EFF - Axis 4 - why new priority - principles - areas - objectives - eligible measures - groups - complementarity

EFF: five priority axes EFF adopted on Axis 1: Adjustment of Community fishing fleet Axis 2: Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing Axis 3: Measures of common interest Axis 4: Sustainable development of fisheries areas Axis 5: technical assistance

EFF – Axis 4 Why this new priority axis? Targeted support for fisheries areas most affected by restructuring of the fisheries sector Diversification and creation of alternative employment Integrated rather than sectoral approach Adapted to local situation to meet real needs of fishing communities

Axis 4 – principles Territorial approach – area based local development strategies Bottom-up approach: mobilising local actors « groups » Integrated – as opposed to sectorial Networking (and cooperation)

Axis 4 – what areas? Fisheries areas: - with sea or lake shore, ponds, river estuary and significant employment in the fishereis sector - smaller than NUTS III - geographical, economic and social coherence Selected by MS acc. to (at least) 3 criteria: - low population density or - fishing in decline or - small fisheries communities - other specific criteria defined by MS  MS to inform the Commission

Axis 4 - objectives Maintain economic and social prosperity of fisheries areas and add value to fisheries and aquaculture products Maintain and develop jobs (diversification) Promote quality of coastal environment Promote national and trans-national networking (Community network of groups)

Axis 4 – eligible measures Strengthening competitiveness of fisheries areas Redirect economic activities (eco-tourism) Diversification – job creation outside the sector Add value to fisheries products Protect the environment in fisheries areas Inter-regional and trans-national networking (and cooperation) Capacity building / preparation + implementation of local development strategy Running costs of groups (10% as a general rule)

Axis 4 – the groups Whenever possible based on existing organisations Selected acc. to transparent procedures, with adequate publicity, guarantee competition (no later than 3 years after approval of the OP) Propose and implement local development strategy Chose operations (majority to be led by the private sector)

Complementarity Complementarity: art EFF (indicate in OP) ESF and ERDF EARDF (esp. axis 3: economic diversification and quality of life and axis 4 (Leader)) Level of group: LAG and group - same administrative support structure - different selection cte – different partnership