10.12.2021

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT FROM EUROPEAN FUNDS

Consultancy Center - Berkovitsa provides up-to-date information on financial support from European funds. Farmers can apply for three measures under the Rural Development Program. The selection of projects for increasing the citizen participation in the processes of implementation and monitoring of policies and legislation under OP "Good Governance" is forthcoming. All currently open procedures and the necessary documents can be viewed in the Information System for Management and Monitoring of European Union Funds in Bulgaria (UMIS2020).

Registered farmers, as well as producer groups or organizations that have been engaged in the processing of agricultural products without interruption for the last 36 months, may receive support to improve their overall performance. The funds are provided under sub-measure 4.2 "Investments in processing/marketing of agricultural products" of measure 4 "Investments in tangible assets" of the Rural Development Program for the period 2014-2020 (BG06RDNP001-4.015). The total amount of the grant under the procedure is BGN 387,164,028.74 - from European funds BGN 347,511,750.34 and BGN 39,652,278.40 national co-financing.

The business plan of a project must provide for eligible costs of at least BGN 29,337, and the maximum amount reaches BGN 5,867,400. Applicants can use the funds to purchase land, buildings and premises intended for production activities, to purchase new ones. machinery, equipment and facilities necessary for the improvement of the production process for processing and marketing, as well as their installation, for the purchase of specialized vehicles for the transport of raw materials or finished products used and manufactured by the enterprise, and machines used for in-house and in-plant transport, which move only on the territory of the enterprise and are intended for carrying out specific activities in it. Investments in the construction and modernization of laboratories, the acquisition of software related to processing, know-how, patent rights and licenses, trademark registration and processes are eligible.

Financial support is expected to strengthen the link between producer and processor in the production of fruit and vegetables and essential oils and in animal husbandry.

The deadline for submitting project proposals is February 25, 2022.

BGN 24,447,500.00 grants from the European Union Reimbursement Instrument are provided for active farmers aged 18 to 40. Project proposals are promoted with activities in the sectors "Animal Husbandry" and "Fruits and Vegetables", farms that are certified for organic production, farms with investments in innovative technologies - innovative production technologies, digital technologies for production and organization in agriculture, renewable energy sources and automation of work processes in agricultural production, including irrigation systems and approaches implemented through the European Innovation Partnership, leading to job creation. The support is under sub-measure 6.1 "Start-up aid for young farmers" of measure 6 "Development of farms and enterprises" of the RDP 2014 - 2020. Financial aid per applicant is not more than the BGN equivalent of 25,000 euros, which is paid to two stages EUR 12,500 - within two months after the conclusion of the administrative contract, the rest - when the correct implementation of the business plan is established. Documents can be submitted until February 28, 2022.

BGN 39,116,000 have also been provided by the European Union's Recovery Instrument to support small farms with an economic size between EUR 2,000 and EUR 7,999 standard production volume. The aim is to support them in the activities of modernization and technological renewal, in the efficient use of resources, in the measures for safe working conditions, the use of renewable energy, in the transition to the circular and bioeconomy. Priority is given to the sectors "Animal Husbandry", "Essential Oil Crops" and "Fruits and Vegetables", organic farms. The support is distributed through sub-measure 6.3 "Start-up aid for the development of small farms" of measure 6 "Development of farms and enterprises" of the RDP 2014-2020 (BG06RDNP001-6.012).

The total amount of financial aid for one candidate is not more than BGN 29,337. The first payment in the amount of BGN 19,558 is made within two months after the conclusion of the administrative contract, the rest - after the implementation of the business plan. Project proposals can be submitted until March 2, 2022.

Non-profit legal entities with public benefit activities and the National Representative Organizations of Employers and Employees have the opportunity to be assisted in activities to increase civic participation in the processes of implementation and monitoring of policies and legislation (BG05SFOP001-2.025). The funds are provided through the Operational Program "Good Governance", and project proposals are accepted until January 17, 2022.

All application documents and information are published at https://eumis2020.government.bg/bg/s/Procedure/Active