North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group (NESFLAG)

Role:

The North East Scotland Fisheries Local Action Group (NESFLAG) is a cross-sector partnership focused on supporting the sustainable development of coastal and fishing communities in North East Scotland. It was established by Aberdeenshire Council and includes representatives from local fishing sectors, community organisations, private businesses and the public sector. NESFLAG’s role is to act as a bridge between local needs and funding opportunities that can deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits to coastal areas.

Responsibilities:

NESFLAG is responsible for delivering and managing local investment programmes, most notably the Aberdeenshire Coastal Communities Challenge Fund (CCCF), which channels revenues generated by Crown Estate Scotland into community-focused initiatives across the region. This includes processing and evaluating grant applications, making recommendations to the council on project awards, and ensuring that funded activities deliver positive outcomes such as business support, sustainable tourism development, community facility enhancements, and environmental improvements. NESFLAG also contributes to shaping local development strategies and ensuring that projects align with strategic priorities for coastal regeneration and community resilience.

Contact information:

Website: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/business-support/funding/cccf/

Email: coastalcommunities@aberdeenshire.gov.uk