Promotion of Cooperation in Rural Areas (VwV-Cooperation)

This funding is aimed at stakeholders from agriculture, forestry, food industry, horticulture, and viticulture in Baden-Württemberg. Legally capable Operational Groups (OGs) as well as legally capable project sponsors (natural and legal persons) who wish to implement innovative cooperation projects to strengthen productivity and sustainability in rural areas are supported.

Innovative cooperation projects in agriculture, forestry, food industry, horticulture, and viticulture are funded. This includes both ongoing cooperation expenses and direct project costs, including investments and study-related expenses. The program supports projects in various development phases, from idea generation to market readiness.

Funding is provided in the form of grants, the amount and scope of which vary depending on the project type (Operational Group or pilot project) and cost category. Pilot projects can receive a maximum of up to 500,000 Euros. The funding period for pilot projects is limited to a maximum of three years.

This funding program is subject to specific conditions for applicants and recipients. These include the necessity of a specified project potential and a business plan, cooperation agreements within the groups, compliance with EU state aid rules, strict documentation obligations, and transparency requirements. Dedication periods for investments must also be observed.

The application procedure differs depending on the project type (Operational Group or pilot project) but is generally multi-stage. It involves the submission of project proposals, an evaluation and ranking by the Regional Council and the Ministry, followed by a request to submit full funding applications. Disbursement takes place after examination of the payment applications.

This funding program is based on the Administrative Regulation of the Ministry for Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection on the Promotion of Cooperation in Rural Areas (VwV-Cooperation), which is supported by various European and national regulations and guidelines. Although the specific administrative regulation expired in 2020, its original validity period reflects the state aid legal basis and framework of the program.