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European Fisheries Fund: Axis 4 An overview. Derek McDonald Rural and Maritime Industries Development Officer Economic Development. Purpose and delivery of Axis 4. ‘to promote economic diversification and an improved quality of life for fisheries communities’
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European Fisheries Fund: Axis 4An overview Derek McDonald Rural and Maritime Industries Development Officer Economic Development
Purpose and delivery of Axis 4 • ‘to promote economic diversification and an improved quality of life for fisheries communities’ • Delivery by bottom up Leader-style approach • Enabling role of Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) partnership • Aberdeenshire Council - Lead Partner
Measures eligible for Axis 4 funding : • Maintaining economic and social prosperity • Adding value to fisheries products • Maintaining and developing jobs in fisheries areas through diversification • promoting the quality of the coastal environment(and access to it) • promoting national and transnational co-operation between fisheries areas
Budget • UK: £13.5M • Scotland: £4.5M • Aberdeenshire £1.3M • No Scottish Gov match funding • Lead authority required to commit to finding public sector match funding
Axis 4 Timescale • Expression of Interest lodged 26 May • FLAGs to submit strategy (LFDP) to Marine Scotland by 9 Sept 2011 • FLAGs notified by end Oct 2011 • FLAGs open for business Nov 2011 • All funds committed by Dec 2013 • Drawdown allowed until mid 2015
FLAG partnership • Public sector (Aberdeenshire Council, SNH, SE, VisitScotland, Banff and Buchan College) • Private sector - Fisheries industry (SWFPA, SFO, SSPF, FSB) • Civic sector - Community groups and organisations (Aberdeenshire Community Councils, East Grampian Coastal Partnership, Banff Coast Tourism Partnership
Role of FLAG partnership • Prepare and implement LFDS • Promote Axis 4, inform, encourage bids • Assess project applications, determine approvals and funding intensity • Devise robust, transparent assessment methodology and procedures
Council role as Lead Authority • Bear initial costs and administrative burden (EoI, setting up FLAG, anchoring work on LFDS) • Provide working capital • Strategic commitment to find public sector match-funding (£1.3M)
Aberdeenshire Axis 4 objectives (from Expression of Interest) • Improve social and community cohesion • Improve infrastructure to facilitate diversification from fisheries-only activities • Improve the local environment and access to it
Objectives (contd) • Improve the conditions for economic development and regeneration • Add value to fish products • Promote the cultural heritage of Aberdeenshire’s fishing communities