November 2015

The possibility of supporting CLLD has now been extended to all the ESI Funds. Uptake under the EAFRD and the EMFF is quite significant already, while the ERDF and ESF are now also adopting this approach and this is expected to provide an important boost to the impact of EU funding at local level.  CLLD has an important role to play in addressing many of the challenges currently facing Europe, and projects and initiatives developed in this context could benefit from appropriate interventions from more than one fund. The seminar aims to assist MAs in launching their CLLD programmes. It will also seek to strengthen cooperation between ESI Funds at EU level, and between MAs at national and regional level, with a view to encouraging a better integration of the funds locally.

In the coming months, FARNET Flash will provide regular updates on CLLD developments across the EU.

The event raised awareness of how CLLD can help local communities and fisheries professionals to embrace and take ownership of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) to strengthen their position in the market and dynamise supply chains, for example, by using social media or online sales platforms. 

Different examples were presented, showing how ICTs can have a much greater impact in the small-scale fisheries sector, helping to increase traceability, simplify the collection of catch data, and open up new communication channels, providing opportunities to transfer knowledge and tell the local story. The presence of Axis 4 projects such as  Drecklyfish and Télécapêche, but also guest projects such as the Horizon2020 Bluebridge project, reinforced the message that digital empowerment through local development can lead to more inclusive, resilient and sustainable fisheries communities. 

Are you involved in a digital project that impacts positively on your local community? Let us know by sending details to info@farnet.eu.