EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE WORKING VISIT17-18 JUNE 2014 г., RIA DE VIGO – A GUARDA, SPAIN

European Fisheries FundInvesting in Sustainable Fishery

FISHERIES LOCAL ACTION GROUPPRIMORSKO – SOZOPOL - TSAREVO

The fishery area of Primorsko – Sozopol – Tsarevo consists of the territory of Primorsko, Sozopol and Tsarevo municipalities. It is situated in the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast.The FA territory benefits from unique flora and fauna as well as multiple cultural and architectural landmarks. To ensure their protection, 19 preservation sites have been established, amongst which the oldest natural preserve, the largest natural park in Bulgaria and sites protected by NATURA 2000 and UNESCO.

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Information about the fishery area PRIMORSKO – SOZOPOL - TSAREVO

» 31 settlements (6 towns and 25 villages);» Population - 32 366 (relatively loose density);» Area - 1 411 sq.m.

SozopolPrimorsko

Tsarevo

The main draught comprises of sprat, pelagic fish (belted bonito, bluefish, scad, etc.), demersal fish (turbot), others (veined rapa whelk).

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Condition of the Fishery section in the area

» 1000 to 1800 tons of annual draught;» 688 registered fishing vessels;» 2 fish processing plants ;» 5 % of the total labour force is engaged in this

sector.

The headquarters of FLAG “Primorsko – Sozopol - Tsarevo” is situated in Primorsko and the NPA maintains open offices in Sozopol and Tsarevo.

The reception of projects for the period 2007 – 2013 is officially closed on 2.07.2014. Currently, out of 46 projects, 6 have been rejected, 20 are being processed and 20 are under contract.

Brute Financial Product of projects in process and under contract is 4 291 275 EUR, thus the sums requested exceed the budget by 1 000 000 EUR.

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Information about FLAG “Primorsko – Sozopol - Tsarevo”

21.12.2010 г.

• Non-profit association FLAG “Primorsko – Sozopol - Tsarevo” is registered.• Members of the NPA are the municipalities of Primorsko, Sozopol and Tsarevo, 16 natural persons, 8

fishery associations .

30.03.2012 г.

• FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE EXECUTIVE AGENCY and FLAG “Primorsko – Sozopol – Tsarevo” sign Contract N60 for granting financial assistance for „Strategy of development from FLAG “Primorsko – Sozopol - Tsarevo” for the period 2011-2013 г.“ totaling € 3 589 850.00. Budget for current expenses is 358 985 €.

29.05.2012 г.

• A team of Manager, Coordinator and Technical assistant is appointed.

25.09.2012 г.

• Reception of projects on all measures of Local Development Strategy is open.

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Milestones in the Strategy of FLAG

The main directions are:» Creating added value;» Supporting the sector through the development of marketing strategies and

advertising;» Development of innovative projects;» implementing HACCP systems, improving working conditions, environmental

protection, etc.;» Development of tourist attractions;» Building/restoring and renovation of draught unloading sites;» Building/restoring infrastructure and services, related to small fishing and tourism;» Creating extra employability outside the fishery sector.

Prior Goal of the strategy is to create a solid basis for sustainable development and improvement of quality of life in the fishery area of Sozopol, Primorsko, Tsarevo.The stated goal is to be achieved through the application of a group of 8 measures, following 3 priority axes.

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Milestones in the Strategy of FLAG

Indications of successful implementation of the strategy :

35 financed projects; 35 new jobs created; 10 successfully trained participants (fishermen); 2 HACCP systems implemented; 7 new tourist attractions; 2 newly built or renovated draught unloading sites; 10 newly built or renovated infrastructure facilities/services related to small fishing

tenures and tourism.

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Working principles

According to its normative establishment, FLAG advertises the Strategy among the local community, informing of application possibilities, providing application forms and supporting applicants throughout the process of project organization and payment requests.

1. The applicant submits the project to FLAG;

2. FLAG carries out administrative investigation and evaluates the potential contribution to the strategy (prioritization of the projects). The approved projects are forwarded to the Executive body - FAEA Sofia

3. FAEA carries out technical and financial evaluation and, if necessary, requests additional information. If the application is successful, it proposes a 3-sided contract to the applicant and FLAG ;

4. The applicant adheres to the contract and submits payment request to the NAF payment agency;

5. NAF – PA carries out administrative and factual investigations to confirm the completion of the project. If successful, the applicant receives the financial grant as legally arranged.

6. FLAG collects information regarding the result achieved following the completion of the poject and include s the details in Report to the Executive body regarding fulfilled indicators of the Strategy.

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Major problems and challenges

»On a national scale:

- Gaps and lack of clarification in the normative base as well as rigidity in amendment ;- Lack of a unified set of documents and rules of conduct of FLAG in Bulgaria;- Relatively extensive periods of investigation and payment;- Lack of options to offer loans with small or zero interest rate to beneficiaries of the

programme;

»On a local scale:

- Late start of the programme;- Gaps and lacks of clarification in the Strategy;- Initial distrust towards the programme due to the novelty of its structure and the

unavailability of successful projects examples;- A major part of the eligible applicants from the private sector are not in the possession

of free capital;- Dispersed ownership, lapses in planning and limited project realization capability;

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Successful Practices

Up to date, 3 projects have been finalised, 2 out of them have been repaid in full and the rest are being processed or under construction. Some of the projects approved by FLAG are:

- Fish festival in Tsarevo:

- Project for the construction of a museum in Primorsko, which will exhibit the local culture and customs.

- Project for the construction of a seaside alley in Tsarevo

- 3 projects for the acquisition of new sailing boats in order to train children and youth, granted to one sailing club in each of the three municipalities.

Before

After

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- Project for the restoration of a dock in Ahtopol

- Project for improving the infrastructure leading to the anchorage in Sinemorets

project

Condition before the realization of the project

Condition of the infrastructure prior to the project. Following its completion, the street will be paved, pedestrian pavements and lighting facilities will be built, etc.

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- Project for electronic fish market;- Project for the modernization of fish processing facility in Sozopol;- Projects for establishing restaurants serving fish and fish products;- Project of a young fisherman for a new tourist attraction: a motor boat with transparent bottom ;- projects for the renovation of the cultural houses in the municipalities.

- Project for the renovation of the art gallery in Sozopol, one of the emblematic edifices in the town. The aim is to generate more interest I the cultural heritage of the region.

Other projects submitted to FLAG:

T h e E n d !

Thank you for your attention!

FISHERIES LOCAL ACTION GROUP “PRIMORSKO-SOZOPOL-TSAREVO“EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUNDINVESTING IN SUSTAINABLE FISHERY