Processing and Marketing of Regional Agricultural Products (VuVregio)

The funding program targets small regional businesses and producer organizations involved in the processing and marketing of agricultural products in Bavaria. It aims to strengthen the regional food economy through targeted support, thereby promoting jobs as well as environmental and animal protection.

Funding is provided for investments in processing and marketing facilities, measures for internal rationalization, as well as market studies and development and marketing measures for quality products. Support covers areas downstream from agricultural production and includes both material and, in certain cases, personnel expenses.

Funding is provided as a grant (project funding) in the form of co-financing. The amount of the grant varies depending on the project and ranges between 20% and 80% of the eligible expenses. There are defined minimum and maximum limits for the eligible expenditure volume per applicant and within a 12-month period.

Applicants must meet the EU's SME definition, and their project must be economically viable. Specific requirements, such as sourcing regional products for a defined period, participation in evaluation measures, and compliance with state aid regulations, are mandatory. Multiple funding for the same project is excluded.

Applications must be submitted to the State Academy for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (FüAk) before the start of the measure. Selection is made via a ranking procedure, with applicants with the highest score being preferred. If funds are oversubscribed, the funding rate may be uniformly reduced.

The funding program is based on the Directive for the Promotion of Measures to Strengthen the Processing and Marketing of Regional Agricultural Products (VuVregio) of the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry. It is also subject to various EU regulations and the Bavarian Budget Code.