The Ministry of Rural Affairs and Agricultural Policy has allocated slightly more than 678,000 euros to support initiatives in coastal areas through the Local Fisheries Action Groups (GALP). These grants, structured in three calls, can be applied for until the 20th of this month.
The resources, from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), are aimed at local administrations, businesses, and non-profit entities, with the goal of promoting economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable development in coastal regions, as the Principality has stated in a press release.
The minister, Marcelino Marcos, traveled to Bajo Nalón this Tuesday to learn about several business projects on the ground, where he highlighted the role of these participatory development mechanisms "to promote new opportunities on the coast, by supporting initiatives that contribute to population retention and the revitalization of the local economy."
The Bajo Nalón Rural Development Group (GDR) has a sum of 692,045 euros within the EMFAF 2023-2027 program, aimed at supporting actions related to sustainable development.
During the visit, Marcos learned about an avocado farm that received aid exceeding 134,000 euros; a bar-shop that received 94,730 euros; and a catering company promoted by a fisherman, supported with more than 148,000 euros.
Likewise, he checked the actions carried out at the San Juan de la Arena Fishermen's Guild, in L'Arena. This intervention, with an investment close to 180,000 euros, has served to increase the energy efficiency of both the main building and the warehouses used by maritime professionals.