LITHUANIAN FISHING AND A Q U A C U LT U R E LOCAL ACTION GROUPS 2014 – 2020

VILNIUS 2018

1 Lithuanian fishing and aquaculture regions and their development trends in 2014-2020

Community-led local development (CLLD) has been introduced as a new policy instrument for territorial cohesion in 2014-2020 programming period, helping to meet the needs of local and chosen target groups in cities, rural and fisheries areas, focus local potential and strengthen the interrelations of the residents in the supported areas. How CLLD is implemented in each EU country is described in countries’ partnership agreements and appropriate national and (or) regional European structural and investment (ESI) fund programmes. Various policies may be linked into a single CLLD strategy on local level in order to achieve results to contribute to the implementation of the European Union (EU) goals in several, rather than one area of policy. The place of CLLD in the EU policy framework during the 2014-2020 programming period

EUROPA 2020 ADVANCED, SUSTAINABLE AND INTEGRATED EU LEVEL GROWTH STRATEGY

Cohesion / regional General agricultural General fisheries policy policy policy

ERDF ECF CF EAFRD EAGF EMFF

General strategic programme

NATIONAL Partnership agreement LEVEL

PROGRAM Action programmes Action programmes Action programmes funded by funded by funded by LEVEL ERDF and ECF EAFRD EMFF

LOCAL Community-initiated local development LEVEL

City, semi-urban and rural Rural areas Fishery regions areas (EAFRD) (EMFF) (ERDF, ECF)

Source: European Evaluation Helpdesk for Rural Development, 2017 2 3 CLLD is based on the LEADER method (bottom - up approach) application Support is provided for local development targets: preparatory works; experience. This method has been implemented in Lithuanian fishing and implementation of local projects; preparation and implementation of aquaculture regions already since the period of 2007-2013. cooperation project; to cover current LDS implementation and active implementation costs (the latter may constitute no more than 25 per cent of CLLD features: the total public costs, incurred according to the LDS). implemented at specific sub-regional territories; initiated by the community and Local action group (LAG), constituted CLLD funding from EMFF 2014-2020 of subjects, representing public and private local social and economic interests, where representatives of a single interest group or the public sector have no more than 49 per cent of the voting rights in the decision making. Implementation of local development strategies – 99 % local project implementation, EMFF activity and 12,110 mln. created to consider the local needs and opportunities, including local activation of the population, preparation and innovations, network development and cooperation; implementation of cooperation projects, reserve EUR implemented by introducing integrated local development strategy (LDS) that link several sectors, funded from several funds. Preparatory FLAG support – LDS preparations, applicant skill development, trainings 1 % The purpose of the CLLD during the period of 2014-2020 is to help strengthen and cooperation (including cooperation in the network) 0,120 mln. the local economy: create sustainable jobs, use local resources, strengthen in order to prepare and implement an LDS EUR social cohesion, implement network activities, cooperate and introduce innovations. In 2014-2020 the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) supports Total 12,230 mln. EUR sustainable territorial development of fisheries with the aim to stop the decline Source: Lithuanian Fisheries Sector Operational Programme 2014–2020 of the many coastal and inland water communities, engaged in fishing and aquaculture, creating greater value for fishing and fishing-related activities. Support for local development is provided by selecting, approving and In order to increase employment and territorial cohesion by implementing funding FLAGs and their planned LDS according to pre-defined criteria. CLLD and supporting the implementation of LDS in fishery local action groups (FLAG). Requirements for territories, suitable for fishing and In 2014-2020 the EMFF supports: aquaculture regional development, 2014-2020 improvement of added value, job creation, attracting youth and promotion of innovation in all stages of the fishing and aquaculture Single-sector LDS Double-sector LDS product supply chain; – territories with high employment and – territories with significant employ- diversification of activity in the field of commercial fishing and other community dependence on fishery – ment and community dependence activities, life-long learning, creation of jobs; commercial fishing and / or aquaculture on fishery – commercial fishing and / environmental protection, increasing natural resources and their sectors employ at least 40 people or vol- or aquaculture sectors employ at least rational use, including fighting climate change; umes of commercial fishing are at least 15 people or volumes of commercial creation of social welfare and promotion of cultural heritage, including 100 thousand kg per calendar year fishing are at least 10 thousand kg per maritime cultural heritage; calendar year -both rural area LDS and fisheries LDS, regional and international cooperation. implemented or under implementa- Source: Lithuanian Fisheries Sector Operational tion in 2007-2013 Programme 2014–2020 4 5 FLAG tasks for implementing LDS, 2014-2020: to strengthen the capacity of local subjects in preparing and

implementing local projects, (2) to define selection criteria for local projects, prepare a transparent and non-discriminatory selection procedure in order to avoid conflict of LAG IIgnalina interests, (2)

to prepare and announce invitations to submit applications for local (2) projects, accept applications for local projects and assess them, (1) Zarasai and LAG Visaginas and Zarasai to select local projects according to their input into the implementation LAG Region Utena

of LDS goals and tasks, as well as to give suggestions for the institution, RFLAG Vilkauda responsible for the inspection of the eligibility for local project funding, to monitor the implementation of LDS and funded local projects, as well as administrative compliance and added value (quality) assessment, related to LDS. (1) South-Western South-Western RFLAG (1) (1) Raseiniai RFLAG

Fishing and aquaculture regions in Šiauliai RFLAG Lithuania in 2014-2020 (1) (1) Šilutė RFLAG RFLAG Šilutė Western Lithuania RFLAG Western Žuvėjų Kraštas Žuvėjų (1) (1) (1) Vidmarės LDS implementation territories: LDS implementation (1) single-sector LAG (2) double-sector LAG Klaipėda RFLAG Neringa RFLAG Neringa RFLAG Šventoji RFLAG Šventoji

6 7 Fishery regions, implementing local development strategies 2014-2020: priorities, measures, funding

Neringa Region Fishery Local Action Group Vidmarės (Neringa municipality) President Rasa Baltrušaitienė Project Manager Rasa Stankutė The local development strategy was funded with 695 856.00 EUR [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

CREATING ADDED VALUE FOR FISHING AND FISHING-RELATED ACTIVITIES Measures: ÖÖ Increasing competition of commercial fishing, adapting to environmental changes ÖÖAdded value, product quality and bycatch use ÖÖDiversification and new types of income

II priority:

STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF THE FISHERMEN’S COMMUNITY AND RENEWAL OF INFRASTRUCTURE Measures: ÖÖCooperation between participants of the fishing sector ÖÖFishing ports and places of unloading ÖÖPreservation and promotion of fishing traditions

8 9 Klaipėda Fishery Local Action Group (Klaipėda municipality)

Chairman Arvydas Žiogas The local development strategy was funded with 492 140.58 EUR www.klaipedazvvg.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS – DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF ALL FISHERY PRODUCTS AND CONSUMPTION PROMOTION Measures: ÖÖPromotion of fishery products and development of innovative business forms ÖÖPromotion of commercial fishery and implementation of innovations at companies

II priority:

PROTECTION AND FOSTERING OF NATURAL RESOURCES – INCREASING AND USAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES OF FISHING AND AQUACULTURE REGION Measures: ÖÖ Promotion of sustainable environmental fishing ÖÖFishing infrastructure development

III priority:

CULTURAL HERITAGE AND INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION – DEVELOPMENT OF FISHING AND AQUACULTURE HERITAGE Measures: ÖÖPreservation and fostering of maritime culture

10 11 Raseiniai District Fishery Local Action Group (Raseiniai municipality)

Chairman Antanas Grigalavičius, LDS Administration Manager Toma Petriokienė The local development strategy was funded with 688 406.90 EUR www.raseiniuzvvg.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN FLAG TERRITORY BY DEVELOPING COMMERCIAL AQUACULTURE, CREATING JOBS AND IMPROVING SOCIAL WELLFARE Measures: ÖÖProductive investments into aquaculture ÖÖProcessing of fishing and aquaculture products ÖÖPromotion of human capital and network cooperation ÖÖ Protection of fishing infrastructure and adapting it to business and public needs

12 13 South-Western Lithuanian Region Fishery Local Action Group (Kazlų Rūda, district, Prienai district municipality)

Chairman Rūta Martišienė LDS Administration Manager Jūratė Čiuknaitė The local development strategy was funded with 1 325 995.42 EUR www.pietvakariu-zrvvg.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

PROMOTION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF FISHERIES SECTOR BY DEVELOPING COMMERCIAL AQUACULTURE AND CREATING JOBS Measures: ÖÖProductive investments into aquaculture ÖÖProcessing of fishing and aquaculture products

II priority:

SOCIAL WELLFARE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLAG REGION BY ADAPTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE NEEDS OF COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PUBLIC, AS WELL AS IMPROVING QUALIFICATIONS OF WORKERS OF THE FISHERY SECTOR Measures: ÖÖPromotion of human capital and network cooperation ÖÖ Development of social welfare in RFLAG territory by adapting fishery infrastructure to commercial fishery and public needs.

14 15 Šiauliai Region Fishery Local Action Group (Šiauliai district, Kelmė district, Telšiai district municipality, Šiauliai city and Rėkyva elderates) Chairman Virgilijus Pozingis LDS Administration Manager Asta Jagelavičienė The local development strategy was funded with 1 523 346.00 EUR www.siauliuzrvvg.lt/ [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

CREATING JOBS IN FISHERY-RELATED AND OTHER ECONOMIC SECTORS Measures:  Productive investments into aquaculture  Diversification and new types of income  Fishery product processing and marketing improvement  Cooperation of commercial fishery and science for local development

II priority:

DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE BY FOSTERING REGIONAL IDENTITY AND IMPROVING SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT Measures: ÖÖ Preservation, adaptation and promotion of regional heritage and fishery traditions ÖÖ Life-long learning in the field of aquaculture ÖÖCreation and development

16 17 Šilutė Region Fishery Local Action Group Žuvėjų Kraštas (Šilutė district municipality) Chairman Virgilijus Pozingis, LDS Administration Manager Asta Jagelavičienė The local development strategy was funded with 1 523 346.00 EUR www.zuvejukrastas.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

INCREASING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE MOVEMENT BY BUSINESS START-UP PROMOTION AND INNOVATIONS IN FISHERY- RELATED AND OTHER ECONOMIC SECTORS Measures: ÖÖ Productive investments into aquaculture ÖÖDiversification and new types of income ÖÖncreasing added value of fishery and aquaculture products ÖÖCooperation of fishery and aquaculture sector for local development promotion

II priority:

INCREASING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FISHERY-RELATED FIELDS BY DEVELOPING AND USING REGIONAL IDENTITY AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE PRESERVATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES Measures: ÖÖFishing ports and places of unloading ÖÖPreservation, adaptation and promotion of Fishing traditions and heritage ÖÖLife-long learning and vocational training, scientific research, promotion of innovative practice

18 19 Šventoji RegionFishery Local Action Group ( municipality)

Chairman Vaidas Šimaitis LDS Administration Manager Erika Ribašauskienė The local development strategy was funded with 598 190.00 EUR www.sventosioszrvvg.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

IMPROVEMENT OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND CREATION OF JOBS Measures: ÖÖCooperation between representatives of fishery sector to diversify economic activity ÖÖImplementation of innovations to ensure the quality of the catch and the implementation of new marketing methods ÖÖAdded value, product quality and bycatch use

II priority:

CREATING PRECONDITIONS FOR INCREASING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Measures: ÖÖDevelopment of infrastructure, needed for fishermen ÖÖFostering of regional fishing traditions

20 21 Western Lithuania Region Fishery Local Action Group (Klaipėda district, Tauragė district, Šilalė district municipality)

Director and Project Manager Egidijus Narevičius The local development strategy was funded with 619 220.00 EUR www.vakaruzvvg.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

INCREASING COMPETITION OF COMMERCIAL FISHING BY ADAPTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES Measures: ÖÖ Productive investments into aquaculture ÖÖ Fishing and aquaculture product processing and marketing improvement ÖÖMarketing measures

II priority:

INCREASING ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE REGION BY IMPROVING AND ADAPTING INFRASTRUCTURE Measures: ÖÖAdapting of the small infrastructure and public spaces for the needs of the fishermen’s community and tourists ÖÖInfrastructure improvement and adaptation for business needs

22 23 Vilkauda Region Fishery Local Action Group (Elektrėnai, Šalčininkai district, district, Molėtai district municipality)

Chairman Algimantas Gylys LDS Administration Manager Jūratė Čiuknaitė The local development strategy was funded with 1 610 968.00 EUR www.vilkauda.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

IMPROVEMENT OF THE COMPETITIVENESS OF AQUACULTURE AND FISHING SECTOR WITH IMPROVEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT, DIVERSIFICATION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND CREATING JOBS Measures: ÖÖProductive investments into aquaculture and processing ÖÖMarketing measures

II priority:

ADAPTING INFRASTRUCTURE TO COMMERCIAL FISHERY AND PUBLIC NEEDS BY IMPROVING RFLAG SOCIAL WELFARE AND INCREASING QUALIFICATIONS OF PEOPLE, WORKING IN THE FISHERY SECTOR Measures: ÖÖ Promotion of human capital and network cooperation ÖÖDevelopment of social welfare of the FLAG region by adapting infrastructure to the needs of commercial fishing and the public

24 25 Double-sector Ignalina District Fishery Local Action Group (Ignalina district municipality, except for Ignalina city municipality) Chairman Antanas Šakalys LDS Administration Manager Ligita Smagurauskienė The fishery priority of the local development strategy has been allocated 457 399.45 EUR www.irvvg.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

III priority:

THE DEVELOPMENT OF FISHERY AND RECREATIONAL FISHING SERVICES Measures: ÖÖProcessing of fishing and aquaculture products ÖÖ Creating and improving conditions for recreational fishing

26 27 Double-sector Utena Region Local Action Group (Utena district municipality, except Utena city) LDS Administration Manager Jolita Umbrasienė The fishery and aquaculture priority of the local development strategy has been allocated 253 161.00 EUR www.utenosvvg.lt [email protected] LDS priorities and measures implemented:

III priority:

INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT, CREATION OF ADDED VALUE AND JOBS IN UTENA FISHING AND AQUACULTURE REGION Measures: ÖÖCommercial fishery establishment and development in Utena district ÖÖ Wellness promotion and creating better opportunities for amateur ÖÖ fishermen and divers in Utena district

28 29 Double-sector Zarasai-Visaginas Local Action Group Visaginas, Zarasai district municipality, except for Zarasai and Visaginas cities)

LDS Implementation Manager Arvydas Veikšra The local development strategy for local projects of the fishery community has been allocated 572 081.00 EUR www.zarasaivvg.lt [email protected]

LDS priorities and measures implemented:

I priority:

INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS AND ATTRACTIVENESS OF RURAL AREAS Measures: ÖÖDeveloping competencies of fishery communities, promotion of cooperation with other fishery communities in Lithuania ÖÖCreating and improving conditions for recreational fishing

II priority:

DIFFERENTIATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY Measures: ÖÖStrengthening the business sector of regional fishery ÖÖPromotion of economic viability of the NGO in regional fishery

30 31 Network of Lithuanian Major NLRFLAG networking elements Fishery Local Action Groups (NLFLAG) NLRFLAG goals: ÖÖ to strengthen the Association’s activity, develop local and international Vaidas Šimaitis, Chairman of the Network cooperation, exchange the good practices and other information among RFLAG in Lithuania and the European Union. of Regional Fisheries Local Action Groups, ÖÖ follow the principles of benevolence and mutual understanding in [email protected] coordinating, representing and defending the rights and legal interests In order to strengthen the development of of the members in relation with state authorities and management networks of local community action groups and institutions, municipalities, as well as public and international organisations promote their activity, the Lithuanian Fishery on all issues, related to economic, commercial, social and political activity; Action Programme for 2014-2020 (hereinafter ÖÖ create conditions for closer FLAG cooperation inside the network, with – the Action Programme) contributes to the state authorities, associations and business subjects; funding of the National Regional Fishery Local ÖÖ to focus the Lithuanian FLAG in working together, assisting in Action Group activities. implementing the strategies that they’ve prepared and approved, providing administrative, legal and other support that is needed and The association Network of Lithuanian Regional Fishery Local Action Groups available; (hereinafter – NLRFLAG) has been registered on 17 May 2017. NLRFLAG unites ÖÖ to take care of general skills, vocational knowledge and qualification 8 FLAGs, which implement single-sector, and 3 LAGs, which implement double- improvement of its members; sector development strategies for the 2014-2020 funding period, as well ÖÖ to promote economic and commercial activity development and creation as 2 FLAGs, which have implemented local development strategies in 2007-2013. of new jobs; NLRFLAG, established in order to develop local and international cooperation, ÖÖ to participate at the preparation process of Lithuanian and EU legislation, exchange the good practices and other information among regional fishery which could influence the activity of the NLRFLAG members. To provide the local action groups in Lithuania and the European Union. The NLRFLAG network projects of such legislation to its members for feedback and suggestions. operates according to the articles of association, approved at the NLRFLAG To generalise the feedback and suggestions of the NLRFLAG members, constituent assembly. The NLRFLAG is led by a chairman, elected at the general develop a general position and present it to the Lithuanian and EU meeting of members. institutions and organisations; ÖÖ to accumulate information, relevant for all NLRFLAG members, process it and distribute among NLRFLAG members; Element 3 ÖÖ to implement NLRFLAG programmes and projects; ÖÖ to look for economic, technical and international connections, coordinate Element 2 Element 4 NLRFLAG member activities by establishing and implementing joint projects; ÖÖ to promote cooperation between NLRFLAG members and EU state regional fishery local action groups, sharing relevant information, exchanging NLRFLAG examples of the good practice and implementing joint projects; Element 1 ÖÖ to analyse the activity of regional fishery local action groups using support Element 5 funds; ÖÖ to develop favourable public opinion on the NLRFLAG and its members by keeping in contact with all information distribution means; Element 6 ÖÖ to represent NLRFLAG members at exhibitions, conferences and other events, which are related to NLRFLAG activity.

32 33 Members of the Network of Local Action Groups of the Lithuanian Regional Fishery

Ignalina district FLAG Šventoji FLAG Neringa FLAG LITHUANIAN FISHING AND Raseiniai district Žuvėjų Kraštas FLAG Šilutė FLAG A Q U A C U LT U R E LOCAL ACTION Utena district FLAG Vilkauda FLAG Šiauliai district FLAG GROUPS

Western Lithuanian South-Western 2014 – 2020 FLAG Lithuanian FLAG

Zarasai-Visaginas Zarasai and Visaginas district region FLAG FLAG FLAG

The activity of the Lithuanian Fishery Local Action Groups is administrated by Tomas KERŠYS, Senior Expert of the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania

Phone: +370 5 239 1180 VILNIUS 2018 e-mail: [email protected] 34 35