LEADER in GOZO. Rural Development Programme for Malta. European Agricultural Funds for Rural Development (E.A.F.R.D)

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1 LEADER in GOZO Rural Development Programme for Malta European Agricultural Funds for Rural Development (E.A.F.R.D) GOZO ACTION GROUP FOUNDATION

2 LEADER in GOZO Gozo Action Group Local Development Strategy, Communication, Consultation Rural Development Programme Local Development Strategy Priorities Your Opinion

3 GOZO ACTION GROUP The Gozo Action Group Foundation was officially launched in August The foundation s main aim is that through its establishment Gozo may be able to participate in the LEADER Project Gozo Action Group is formed by all the Local Councils of Gozo together with Gozo Tourism Association, Gozo Business Chamber, Gozitano, Association of Gozo NGOs. Board: Dr. Joseph Grech Chairman Mr. Antoine Vassallo Secretary Mr. David Apap Vice Chairman Mr. Joe Cordina Treasurer Mr. Joe Grech Member Mr. Paul Buttigieg Member Mr. Paul Scicluna - Member 3

4 GOZO ACTION GROUP 2 The aim of Gozo Action Group Foundation is to prepare a local development strategy which will be submitted to MRRA for approval. Once the strategy is approved, Gozo Action Group will be entrusted to implement the strategy prepared and specific funds from the Rural Development Programme will be allocated. The final beneficiaries of the LEADER are: - Local Councils - Private entities - Farmers - NGOs - Gozo Action Group The types of project that can be financed should not be eligible under any other EU fund and they consist on: Studies and Analysis, Capital Investments, Marketing, Training 4

5 STRATEGY, COMMUNICATION, CONSULTATION Strategy Communication The Strategy is based on the analysis of the specific needs of the territory and leads to the definition of specific measures/actions to be carried out in Gozo The Strategy is realised by the Gozo Action Group with the support of a team of experts The communication campaign is aimed to promote the LEADER in Gozo and to inform the residents as well as economic operators on the consultation process and it included flyers, posters, newspapers adverts etc. Meetings in all Gozo localities Consultation Meetings with economic operators, farmers, and NGOs Online consultation on 5

6 RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME LEADER is financed by the European Commission under the Rural Development Programme, which: Was approved by Commission on Dec 2007 Covers 7 years (payments can continue till 2015) Has a budget of 100 Million Euros for Malta (76 Million EAFRD funds + 24 Million Government of Malta) 6

7 RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME - 2 Axis 1 Improving the Competitiveness of the agricultural sector 34,280,000 Axis 2 Improving the environment and the countryside 25,025,000 Axis 3 Improving the quality of life in rural areas 32,986,667 Axis 4 LEADER initiative 3,875,000 Axis 5 Technical Assistance 4,084,473 7

8 RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME - 3 LEADER funding in RDP: 0,2 MLN TO GOZO Axis 1 Axis 2 Axis 3 Axis 4 Axis 5 Improving the Competitiveness of the agricultural sector Improving the environment and the countryside Improving the quality of life in rural areas LEADER initiative Technical Assistance Responsibility for actions under Axis 1: Measure 125, Action 3: Access Roads to Farms Responsibility for actions under Axis 3: Measure 313: Encouragement of Tourism Activities Action type 3 Setting up trails that interlink various sites of tourist value. Actions under Axis 4: Building local Capacity; Improve local Governance; Mobilize rural actors; Develop potential of rural areas. 1,4 MLN TO GOZO 8

9 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Agricultural and Environmental profile Land: 47.8% agriculture % Natural Habitats - 28,6% urban/developed areas 2,400 agricultural holdings, mostly on terraced strips of land, about 73% smaller than one hectare. In 2007, persons engaged (PT & FT) = 3,525, declining by 1.18% FT = 316 (increasing) PT = 3,209 (decreasing) Gozitan farmers produced 9.5% out of the total, 7.4% of the total vegetables and 46.8% of the total fruit. Gozo accounts for: 31% of the dairy herd 6% of the pig herd 19% of the poultry capacity 9

10 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Biodiversity Habitats such as cliffs, valleys, garrigue and sand dunes; this environment covers 22% of the total surface area. Landscape The whole of Comino and most of Gozo are in fact designated Rural Conservation Areas and the rural environment contributes to the landscape character of the region Water Agriculture uses about 37% of the total estimated water consumption in the Maltese Islands (RDP, ). Adding water consumed by farms and that is billed to them, agriculture accounts for 43% of the total estimated water consumed. 10

11 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Economy The GDP Gozo 2007 = million (6.1% of the national total). Per capita GDP estimated at 74.5% of the national average, and at 57.1% of the EU average. GDP Average Malta 5.6% 6.2% 6.8% 6.2% Gozo 5.2% 5.8% 5.5% 5.5% Per Capita GDP Source: NSO 231/ Average Malta 10,348 10,918 11,588 10,951 Gozo 7,804 8,184 8,629 8,206 Gozo/Malta 75.4% 75.0% 74.5% 74.9% 11

12 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Income 27.5% other service category which includes gaming activities, IT as well as the government sector 26.6% tourism and retail sector 20.4%financial and real estate sector A comparison to the national economy indicates that to a larger extent than that of Malta, the Gozitan economy depends further on agriculture and fishing as well as construction. Industry Declining contribution to GDP from 14.9% to 12.3%; sector made up of 3 components 1 larger manufacturing factories at Xewkija 2 smaller Companies located in different parts of the island 3 crafts and cottage industries that is a well-established activity in Gozo 12

13 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Tourism Employment 29.5% of total workers; 26.6% of the regional GDP High number of upper-class farmhouse compared with Malta. Dependence on international tourists and on Maltese stay-over tourists/day trippers Extent of seasonality particularly in the case of non-residents as per table below Jan MarMay Jul Sep Nov Jan Mar May Jul Sep Nov Jan MarMay Jul Sep Nov Jan MarMay Non-residents Residents 13

14 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Construction and Financial Sector Construction sector accounts for 5.5% of total value added generated within Gozo and for 10.6% of total employment. The financial sector has developed over recent years, and is mainly driven by financial services accounts for a high proportion of economic value added. Indeed the productivity of the sector is significantly high at 68,670 per worker. 14

15 PRIORITIES Analysis of the main assets of Gozo for marketing purposes Marketing campaigns promoting Gozo as a distinct destination both in Malta and overseas Facilitate online booking for all hotels/accommodation/catering in Gozo Further promote fastivals/entertainment/cultural initiatives including those based on Gozo intangible heritage Increase the consumption of local agricultural products by catering establishments through a specific scheme combining training and promotion Setting up of farmer markets and direct sales initiatives in Malta and abroad 15

16 PRIORITIES Improve signposting in Gozo, including maps and town plans Identify and support landscaping initiatives Improvement of sport facilities Increase accessibility to fields (M. 125) Encourage the establishment and development of leisure parks as well as thematic trails in the context of Measure 313 Improve skills/raise awareness on impact of farming activity on resources, especially water; awareness of consumers on waste management and separation; local students on the value of local agricultural production as well as innovation 16

17 PRIORITIES Improve environmentally friendly mobility systems Analyse the cost/benefit of setting up of a laboratory specialised in quality controls and testing; Analyse the cost/benefit of creating a network of minibus operators for the service Malta Airport Gozo Better understand the potential of Gozo agriculture in the context of the Common Agricultural Policy Support to cluster of excellence (SMEs) and IT Cluster Promotion of Gozo's attractiveness for business establishment Support to craft sector 17

18 YOUR OPINION DO YOU THINK THE PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED ADDRESS THE REAL NEEDS OF GOZO? WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT AND URGENT PRIORITIES FOR GOZO AMONGS THOSE LISTED? ARE THERE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT IN YOUR OPINION SHOULD BE ADDRESSED? WHICH? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE LEADER TO BE COMMUNICATED TO THE GOZO RESIDENTS? 18

19 LEADER in GOZO Rural Development Programme for Malta THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION DANIELE FANTECHI CONSULTANT, GOZO ACTION GROUP FOUNDATION 19