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AbstractThe implementation of the European Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) system applies a neo‐endogenous approach, which can restructure public intervention in favour of a mosaic of local territories. By resting on a Finnish case study, this article studies the local adaptation of the FLAG system and how FLAG managers are positioned as intermediaries in horizontal and vertical networks that enhance local fisheries' livelihoods. The analysis of the FLAG system's approaches and various roles of the managers is based on qualitative interviews and a stakeholder survey, set in the interactive governance framework. Our findings show how via its intermediary role, expertise, commitment and networking, the FLAG system, and especially FLAG managers, can mend the failures of the governance system. We conclude that the recruitment of the right type of FLAG managers can be a path towards the enhancement of local small‐scale fishers in a well‐functioning governance system
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AbstractIn European Union member states, the community‐led local development (CLLD) approach implemented through Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) represents different social organisational and democratic traditions. Hence, FLAGs operate and apply local development strategies and strengthen the role of fishing communities and the fishing industry under the influence of nationally contingent factors. Based on document analysis and mixed methods data, this article addresses the role of input legitimacy in FLAGs in Denmark and Finland. The findings show that Danish FLAGs demonstrate input legitimacy, while the fishery sector's interests are relatively weakly represented on FLAG boards. In Finland, the FLAG institutional system is perceived to be more flexible, demonstrating a lower level of input legitimacy, while the fishery sector's interests are substantially represented on FLAG boards. The comparison provides an analytical basis for member states financing CLLD through EMFAF and paves the way for reflexion on the FLAG governance system based on different programming periods and institutional contexts.

[EN] Community-led Local Development (CLLD) offers a novel bottom-up approach to achieving territorial development in EU fisheries and aquaculture areas. Through Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), CLLD sets out to increase both employment and territorial cohesion by bringing together local stakeholders in the selection and implementation of projects which meet the specific needs of the FLAG area and its fisheries communities. Through an analysis of 2691 FLAG projects, this study offers comparative insights into the implementation of CLLD across eight EU Member States. The analysis shows that there are three areas that account for almost 90% of total budget spending, projects attributed to adding value to the fisheries value chain, the diversification fisheries activities, and those with socio-cultural focus, while fewer projects attributed to the environment or increasing representation in local governance. The results of this analysis are compared with the priorities expressed by FLAGs at the beginning of the program, as well as the national Operational Programs of individual Member States. ; This article is based upon work from COST Action CA15217 -Ocean Governance for Sustainability -challenges, options and the role of science, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology, www.cost.eu), within the working group `Fisheries Governance.' COST is a funding agency for research and innovation networks, helping to connect research initiatives across Europe through actions enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. Thanks to the FARNET Support Unit for their support and guidance on this research, to Urszula Budzich-Tabor for her feedback on various drafts of this paper, and to Margot Van Soetendael for her guidance on the analysis of the dataset. Funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union. ; Miret Pastor, LG.; Svels, K.; Freeman, R. (2020). Towards territorial development in fisheries areas: A typology of projects funded by Fisheries ...

AbstractIn comparison to the wealth of critical evaluation of LEADER (i.e., Liaison entre actions de développement de l'économie rurale), there has been no consolidated attempt to reflect on the contribution of Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), now entering their third EU programming period. Set up in the image of LEADER, and a novel governance instrument within the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), FLAGs aim to activate local responses that build resilience and adaptability within the fisheries sector and wider communities. In addition to introducing the accompanying articles that make up this special issue of Sociologia Ruralis, our article gives an account of the emergence of community‐led local development (CLLD) in fisheries and the attributes that have characterised the application of the LEADER approach within a fisheries‐territorial development context. In many cases, FLAGs have led to improved relationships between the small‐scale fishing sector and wider local social and economic networks, helping the sector reimagine its role within local economies. Yet outcomes vary as the FLAG approach has been applied across different cultural and institutional settings. There are indications that the system is becoming enveloped by wider priorities of coastal development and blue growth. Yet FLAGs may well provide a successful test case for widening participation in the CFP and upscaling integration of the fishing industry within local and regional economies. For CLLD in general, they are a reminder of the value of a differentiated CLLD approach tailored to different sectoral‐territorial contexts.

Tourism Governance takes a systematic approach to reveal the varying internal and external dynamics that influence tourism policy and strategy across countries. With particular attention to the role of stakeholders and governmental scales, the book offers a broad geographic representation, highlighting the diversity of governance relationships towards tourism in Colombia, Egypt, Finland, France, India, Italy, Lebanon, Mexico, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, and United States. Two additional chapters push beyond borders to examine tourism driven nongovernmental organizations and international tourism governance. As the first and only comprehensive comparative analysis of tourism across governmental systems, Tourism Governance promises to be a platform for inspiring critical discourse on the forces that shape this global industry

This paper is based on results from the research project UNISECO, which is funded by European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 773901.We would like to thank all the farmers, farm organisations and stakeholders of the multi-actor platforms of the UNISECO project who contributed to the data collection. We also like to thank Andreas Basler whose corrections improved the comprehensibility of the paper. ; Peer reviewed ; Publisher PDF

The overall aim of the UNISECO project is to provide recommendations on how the sustainability of agro-ecological farming systems (AEFS) in Europe can be promoted. These recommendations build upon multi-actor engagement and practice-validated strategies. The project explores both of these approaches in 15 case studies across Europe. Every case study reflects an AEFS at a certain point of transition towards agro-ecological farming systems. A first step in all of the case studies was to characterize the status quo of the farm systems. Along with other methods to describe the status quo, three decision support tools (DST) were applied in the case studies to provide information on the environmental, economic and social performance of current AEFS. The tools applied were COMPAS, an economic performance assessment tool, Cool Farm Tool, a greenhouse gas inventory tool, and SMART, a multidimensional sustainability tool. This deliverable presents the overall approach taken to assess the farms along the agro-ecological transition, describes the tools, and presents results from their application in the case studies. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 773901.