Grants for the Implementation of the European Innovation Partnership for Productivity and Sustainability in Agriculture (EIP-Agri-NRW-RL)

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Who is Funded

This funding guideline is aimed at Operational Groups (OG) or their lead project partners in North Rhine-Westphalia. Groups must consist of at least two members, with at least one member being a primary agricultural, forestry, or horticultural production enterprise. The funding aims to improve cooperation and innovation transfer in the agricultural and food industries, thereby contributing to a competitive and sustainable agricultural sector. Project partners from other federal states or EU countries can also participate, provided that the majority of the project is carried out in NRW.

What is Funded

Funding is provided for expenses related to the cooperation, establishment, and activities of Operational Groups (OG) as well as the implementation of innovation projects. These projects focus on the development of new products, methods, processes, and technologies in agriculture, forestry, and the food industry, as well as horticulture, including the application of new or conventional practices in new geographical or environmental contexts. Certain expenses such as land and building costs or the purchase of used machinery are not eligible for funding.

Type and Scope of Funding

The program provides grants for Operational Groups and innovation projects. The amount of the grant can be up to 100 percent of the eligible expenses, but is limited to a maximum of 500,000 Euros per Operational Group. For investment expenses of SMEs within innovation projects, a cap of 300,000 Euros applies. The type of financing varies between full and partial funding depending on the implementing body. The project duration is generally three years, but can be extended in exceptional cases.

Conditions and Requirements

The funding is subject to various conditions, including the conclusion of a cooperation agreement between the OG members and the assurance of overall financing. There are specific rules for the composition of Operational Groups and the publication of project results. Furthermore, the applicable EU state aid rules must be observed, especially those relevant for agricultural holdings and SMEs. Enterprises in difficulty are also excluded from funding. The tie-up period for funded investments corresponds to the project duration.

Application Process

The application process begins with a competitive procedure where project outlines are submitted. Following a positive evaluation of the outline, applicants are invited to submit a full application. Projects are selected by an expert committee and the granting authority based on defined criteria and available budget funds. The grant is disbursed exclusively based on payments made and proven by the grant recipient.

Legal Basis

The funding is based on the "Guidelines for the Granting of Subsidies for the Implementation of the European Innovation Partnership for Productivity and Sustainability in Agriculture (EIP-Agri-NRW-RL)" of February 16, 2024. These guidelines are based on various EU regulations and national laws concerning the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and state aid rules for the agricultural and forestry sectors. The objective of the underlying regulations is to promote cooperation and innovation transfer in agriculture.