To facilitate project implementation, reduce the administrative burden on applicants for support, and encourage public involvement in the development of coastal areas, on Tuesday, 15 September, the Government approved amendments to the procedures for granting national and EU support from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) under the measure “Implementation of Community-led Local Development Strategies” (CLLD).
One of the most significant changes provides greater opportunities to involve local communities in the implementation of small public-benefit projects. Going forward, up to 10% of a project’s eligible costs may be covered through in-kind contributions, in the form of voluntary or unpaid work. As the Rural Support Service (RSS) ensures financial risk management and compliance with the principle of sound financial management during the project assessment process, the requirement to assess whether an economic operator is in difficulty has been removed. The threshold for applying additional economic viability indicators has also been increased from EUR 50,000 to EUR 70,000, and the eligibility requirements for construction costs have been clarified.
The administrative burden will also be reduced in the project application and assessment process. Going forward, a self-assessment of the project’s compliance with the assessment criteria will only be required if the Local Action Group (LAG) specifies this for a particular project application round. LAGs will also provide more regular information on the funding available for project application rounds lasting longer than 30 days.
A separate new provision concerns coastal fishers. Under a project, the owner of a fishing vessel or a coastal fishers’ association will also be eligible to receive support for the purchase of a motorhome or caravan, creating an opportunity to provide more suitable working, recreational and living conditions close to fishing sites, particularly where fishing takes place further away from the permanent base.
The measure is implemented using the Community-led Local Development (CLLD) approach, with decisions on the allocation of support based on local development strategies for 2023–2027 developed by Local Action Groups. Six Local Action Groups operate in the coastal area, bringing together representatives of the public and private sectors to jointly address local development issues within their respective areas of operation, including by launching calls for project applications.
Support is provided under the EMFAF Programme for the Development of Fisheries for 2021–2027. CLLD support contributes to the development of local businesses and the coastal economy, improves infrastructure, promotes the sustainable use of environmental resources, and supports initiatives of importance to coastal communities, including the preservation of fishing and maritime cultural heritage.
The amendments to Regulation No. 579, “Procedures for Granting State and European Union Support under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund Measure ‘Implementation of Community-led Local Development Strategies’”, will enter into force on the day following their publication in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis.
