The rural regions development programme is a successor of SAPARD programme. The programme provides grants in the area of agriculture, food-processing industry and forestry. The resources of the programme are provided by the European Agricultural Fund For Rural Development.
Funding areas goals:
* Axis 1
Development of competitive and innovative agricultural, forestry and food-processing sectors;
* Axis 2
Preservation of natural resources and the living environment in the rural regions;
* Axis 3
Improvement of the quality of life and diversification of employment opportunities in the rural regions;
* Axis 4
Development of local capacity and improvement of local administration.
Potential beneficiaries:
* Farmers (private and legal entities) registered under Regulation No 3 from 1999 for establishment and development of farmers register issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Foods;
* Organizations of farmers
* Educational and training organizations
* Associations of private forests' owners, irrigation associations
* Micro start-up enterprises, established in the rural regions
* Non-government organizations for development of non-agricultural products
* Municipalities
Eligible expenses: purchasing of agricultural machines, industry equipment and machines, building of production and storage facilities, etc. Infrastructural projects will be also supported, including roads and streets repairs, drinking and sewage water systems, etc. Some of the funds will be allocated for small business start-ups, development of rural tourism and other non-agricultural activities in the rural regions of the country.
Total budget: EUR 3,233 mln.
Territorial scale: all rural municipalities in Bulgaria
Contracting Authority: Rural Regions Development department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Foods