Funding for Organic Model Regions (VwV Organic Model Regions)

This funding initiative is aimed at legal entities comprising regions, municipalities, and stakeholders from the regional agricultural sector in Baden-Württemberg. The goal is to support concepts for improving the regional marketing of organic food and strengthening organic farming. The funding is directed at small and medium-sized enterprises as well as partnerships within the agricultural sector.

The program supports projects that focus on the creation and management of networks and the improvement of value chains in organic farming. Eligible expenses include personnel costs for regional managers and certain material costs. The main focus is on concepts that have been selected as an Organic Model Region through a competitive process and support their implementation.

Funding for Organic Model Regions in Baden-Württemberg is granted as a subsidy. The amount of the grant depends on the available budget and the number of selected regions. Specifically, personnel costs of regional management are subsidized proportionately, while material costs are financed as a fixed sum.

To receive funding, applicants must meet certain requirements concerning both the structure of the cooperation and the content of the project. Important conditions include successful participation in a selection process as an Organic Model Region and compliance with European state aid rules, especially regarding transparency obligations.

The application process for funding Organic Model Regions is two-tiered: First, a competitive procedure selects and designates the Organic Model Regions. After successful selection, a formal application must be submitted to the competent Regierungspräsidium (regional council), requiring specific documents such as a cooperation agreement and detailed project descriptions. Approval is granted after verification of completeness and compliance with the requirements.

The funding for Organic Model Regions is based on a specific administrative regulation issued by the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg. This regulation integrates European and state-specific state aid rules as well as budgetary provisions to support the development of organic farming in the state. The funding is tied to compliance with these comprehensive legal frameworks.