In the coming days, the consultation on the new call for improvement plans (sub-measure 4.1.5 in the Rural Development Programme of Greece) will begin.

In particular, in the context of the RDP 2014/22 with resources of 180 million euros from the recovery instrument and with legal commitments that can be up to 230 million eurosin December 2022, Action 4.1.5 will be launched on the implementation of investments aimed at the resilience, sustainability and digital economic recovery of farms enterprises (over-commitment of around 30%).

The submission is expected to start at the end of the year and will be exclusively electronic through the State Aid Information System.

Eligibility requirements

Individuals and legal persons will be eligible.

For Individuals the main eligibility conditions are:

1. The registration in the Register of Farmers and Agricultural Holdings in the capacity of a professional farmer (not as a new entrant) or the status of the beneficiary of sub-measure 6.1 – Young Farmers during the last five years before the submission of his application.
2. The submission of an admissible IACS declaration in the year 2022.
3. The existence of insurance and tax clearance.

Πρόγραμμα Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης - Επιλέξιμες δαπάνες

The main eligible investments are:

1. Construction, expansion, modernization of agricultural buildings and structures, including transported shelters for workers.
2. Purchase, transportation and installation of new mechanical and other equipment.
3. Purchase, transportation and installation of perennial plantations.
4. Investments in RES.
5. Investments in waste management.
6. General Expenses (fees of scholars, expenses for issuing permits, etc.)

The following shall not be supported, inter alia:

1. Second-hand equipment .
2. VAT
3. The expenses for the purchase of animals.
4. Expenditure on the purchase of annual plants or seedlings installed by sowing.
5. The costs for simple replacement of mechanical equipment.

Grading criteria

The grading criteria include:

1. The productive orientation of the holding.
2. The economic size of the holding.
3. The dynamics of the beneficiary and the holding.
4. Investments in farms in fire-stricken areas.
5. The type of investment expenditure with emphasis on digital agriculture and RES.
6. The increase in the added value of products.
7. The introduction / use of innovation.
8. Participation in priority sectors of the Region.

Evaluation of applications for the Rural Development Programme

The end of the submission of applications is followed by a comparative evaluation, grading and inclusion in the measure of those applications covered by the call budget. In order to speed up the evaluation of the application, the register of evaluators of applications for support will be enlarged.

The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. George Georgantas, pointed out: "Through the enhanced Program for Improvement Plans, the effort to support and modernize primary production and to meet the needs that have arisen from the new data continue. We support the Greek producer with deeds and arm him with all the necessary supplies to face the problems of today, but also the challenges of tomorrow".