European agricultural fund for rural development (EAFRD) is an instrument of the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) that focuses on resolving the particular challenges of rural areas. The government appoints the Managing Authority whose task is to inform potential beneficiaries of the support that is available, the rules that apply and the level of the EU contribution.
In the 2014-2020 programming period, EAFRD co-financed the rural development through Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) run by national governments. Under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) transitional regulation, RDPs have been conditionally extended for 2021 and 2022. During these years, RDPs will be provided with €26.9 billion from the EAFRD budget for 2021-27 and an extra €8.1 billion from the next generation EU recovery instrument. Due to this extension, many of the projects and schemes included in RDPs will continue to run until the end of 2025. From 2023 onwards, all new rural development actions will be incorporated into national CAP strategic plans. Each national plan will be built around key social, environmental and economic objectives for EU agriculture, forestry, and rural areas.
The RDPs (until 2023 ) cover 4 of the 6 priorities set at the EU level:
- Knowledge Transfer and Innovation
- Farm Viability and Competitiveness
- Farm Viability and Competitiveness
- Food Chain Organisation and Risk Management
- Restoring, Preserving and Enhancing Ecosystems
- Resource-efficient, Climate-resilient Economy
- Social Inclusion and Economic Development
Key policy objectives of the CAP (2023-2027):
- to ensure a fair income to farmers;
- to increase competitiveness;
- to rebalance the power in the food chain;
- climate change action;
- environmental care;
- to preserve landscapes and biodiversity;
- to support generational renewal;
- vibrant rural areas;
- to protect food and health quality.
CAP specific objectives by country
In order to get information on the open calls for project proposals, you need to contact the Ministry of Agriculture in your country.
All European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) including EAFRD can be used in integrated packages at the local, regional or national level through the use of territorial integrated instruments such as Community-led Local Development (CLLD) and Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) – for more information see CLLD and ITI.
National or Regional managing authorities - DG REGIO - DG AGRI
Rural Development Programmes per country until 2023 and CAP strategic plans as of 2023