The European Commission services have officially approved the Third Amendment to the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027
The changes were made to improve the efficiency of funding, reduce the administrative burden for beneficiaries, and promote the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas in Bulgaria. Among the main changes in the plan is the creation of a new agro-ecological intervention, which is in the form of a multi-year commitment and is aimed at the use of environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Its financing will be carried out through the transfer of 65 million euros from the budget of the intervention promoting integrated production practices. In the "Organic Plant Production" intervention, the percentage of the average level of support for all crop groups is increased. As a result of proposals from interested parties, in the "Investments in Basic Services and Small-scale Infrastructure in Rural Areas" the maximum eligible value of projects for public areas has been increased from EUR 100,000 to EUR 500,000 thus ensures more efficient financing of activities to improve living conditions in rural areas.
The creation of a new agri-environmental intervention is among the main changes in the plan which takes the form of a multi-annual commitment aimed at the use of environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Its financing will be carried out by transferring EUR 65 million from the budget of the intervention promoting integrated production practices.
In the "Organic Plant Production" intervention, the percentage of the average level of support for all crop groups is increased. As a result of proposals from stakeholders, for public areas in the "Investments in basic services and small-scale infrastructure in rural areas" intervention is increased.
A grace period has been introduced for young and new farmers for acquiring professional competences, as well as the possibility of appointing a second manager if the applicant is a woman and is on maternity leave. In the "Risk Management Tools" intervention, the support intensity is increased to 70% for all crops, to be in line with the state aid for agricultural insurance applied so far.
Under the "Support for the EIP Оperational Groups" intervention, the eligibility of partners is extended to include higher education institutions in economics.
The approval also includes the transfer within the sectoral interventions for beekeeping for 2025 of part of the unused funds. А total of BGN 882,539 will be allocated to interventions with increased demand while the remaining amount will be used for a second acceptance of applications.
From 2026, the requirements for practicing mobile beekeeping are eased, financial support for investments in tangible assets is increased, and new eligible costs for the modernization of beekeeping farms are introduced.
This is expected to lead to improved conditions for beekeepers' activities, easier access to financing, and better adaptation of the sector to climate and economic challenges. Support for project advisory services is also increased.
The Third Amendment to the Strategic Plan ensures adaptation to changes in European legislation, and achieves simplification and greater precision in the conditions for the implementation of interventions.