The Commission launched a new interactive guide mapping all funding opportunities available at EU level for rural areas.
EU funds and programmes that can foster sustainable growth and well-being in rural areas abound. However, identifying the most appropriate option is not always straightforward for potential beneficiaries. The Rural toolkit gathers funding opportunities from 26 different EU funds, from the Common Agricultural Policy to Cohesion Funds, Horizon Europe and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. In just a few clicks, rural entrepreneurs and local authorities can find out the best funding available to help them develop their project.
This newly launched comprehensive gateway to EU funding and support initiatives available for rural areas in the EU aims to equip applicants with the knowledge and tools needed to address local needs. Beneficiaries may be local authorities, institutions, businesses, associations and individuals.
FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR RURAL AREAS IN ALL EU LANGUAGES
The new tool offers automatic translations in all EU languages. An interactive funding finder allows users to filter existing schemes based on several criteria:
- their role or organisation;
- the activity they want to implement (for example, improving infrastructure, addressing societal challenges, strengthening the local economy, enhancing climate resilience and sustainability);
- the type of support they are looking for: grants, financial instruments (such as loans and guarantees) or technical assistance likeadvisory services, training, mentoring programmes, support networks,etc.
After narrowing the choice to the most relevant options, key information about current programmes and initiatives is readily available in printable factsheets. These explain how each option is relevant for rural areas, and include practical details, links to calls and relevant contact points.
TIPS, GUIDANCE AND INSPIRING STORIES
The Rural toolkit also provides extensive guidance on how to make the most out of available opportunities. Users can get inspired and explore a wide range of examples and case studies, discovering how EU funds and support mechanisms have already been implemented successfully in rural areas across the EU. Many inspiring stories are displayed on a clickable map – for example, the Biovilla cooperative in Portugal has become a leading actor of sustainability and environmental protection, by promoting nature tourism, educational programmes and landscape restoration activities thanks to a combination of private and EU funds. Following a similar approach, the Meridaunia organisation in Italy has promoted rural, environmental and cultural tourism experiences, alongside local agricultural products, thus enhancing the competitiveness and reputation of the Monti Dauni area. In Romania, EU funds co-financed the setting up of a wooden toy manufacture that now exports around the world and created several jobs.
The resources section offers guidance documents, reports and manuals on EU funding opportunities for specific sectors, including broadband, culture, education, energy, environment and tourism. Additional background material can be consulted on the Frequent questions and About pages.
Source: European Commission | Press Corner (https://shorturl.at/aRYZ2)