22.12.2023
20 MILLION EUROS FOR START-UP FARMERS OVER 41 YEARS OLD
Provision of a grant of EUR 30,000 for new producers aged 41 to 65 who wish to start an agricultural business. This is what the new support scheme looks like, which is included in the corrections sent to Brussels at the end of last week in the strategic plan for agriculture, allocating funding for the sector in the current program period until 2027. It will be allocated 20 million euros, with the goal is to attract at least 663 new entrepreneurs in the sector.
With the sent corrections in the strategic plan, a new assistance intervention will be created - "Start-up assistance for the establishment of new farmers in agriculture" with a budget of 20 million euros. It will support applicants aged 41 to 65 who would like to receive financing to start an agricultural business. The condition is that they have registered their first agricultural holding - sole trader or sole proprietorship, a maximum of 12 months before the date of application for the funds. As well as having the "relevant professional knowledge and skills to carry out agricultural activities" or undertake to acquire them during the implementation of the project.
According to the scheme, it will be possible to receive financing of 30 thousand euros for starting a business: 15 thousand euros of the amount will be provided after the approval of the project, and the rest - after the implementation of its activities, the new intervention foresees. Co-financing from the applicant is not required.
Each project will have to start a maximum of 9 months after its approval and be completed within 3 years, the rules stipulate.
The New Farmers Scheme complements the existing opportunity for young farmers under the age of 40 to start a farming business. In the corrections to the strategic plan sent to Brussels, it is foreseen that the support for them will be increased to 40 thousand euros for starting a business. Persons between 18 and 40 years of age who register their first agricultural holding and have professional knowledge or skills, or undertake to acquire them, will be able to apply for it.
Funding for young farmers is also planned to be in two stages – 20 thousand euros upon approval of the project and 20 thousand euros after its implementation, which should be within three years.
