Support for the creation of new processes, goods or services in agriculture and forestry

From July 1 to July 31, 2017 can apply for support at the event “Collaboration”Support is available in two sub-measures:

– Support intended for the creation of new products or processes at national level, usable by the widest possible range of beneficiaries across the sector “Support for the implementation of projects of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability Working Groups” (hereinafter referred to as sub-measure 16.1). The total available funding under the sub-measure is EUR 3 million, but the total amount of eligible costs for one EIP working group cannot exceed EUR 500,000 over a 5-year period.

– Support for individual farm solutions “Support for the development of new products, methods, processes and technologies” (hereinafter referred to as sub-measure 16.2). The total available funding under the sub-measure is EUR 2 million, but the total amount of eligible costs for one group of applicants for support cannot exceed EUR 100,000 over a 5-year period.

The aid intensity in both sub-measures is 90% of the eligible costs. If the project plans to purchase machinery, equipment or facilities that will be used for profit, then the aid intensity for the above-mentioned fixed assets is the same as in the measure "Investments in tangible assets".

In sub-measure 16.1, the selection takes place in two stages. In the first stage, the Commission of the Ministry of Agriculture selects the project idea and approves the EIP working group, while in the second stage, the Rural Support Service selects the detailed project applications. Support can be received if 3 partners are involved in the project, of which at least one is a farmer or a forester. Juris Cvetkovs, Head of the Rural Development Department of the Latvian Agricultural Service, emphasizes: “The very name of the support measure “Cooperation” already emphasizes that projects can be implemented through cooperation. Potential project implementers should pay attention to the importance of cooperation with scientists or researchers when developing ideas in sub-measure 16.1 that are useful for every Latvian farmer or forester. The developed solutions cannot be patented; after the project implementation, they will need to be presented to a commission established by the Ministry of Agriculture and published to the wider public so that any interested party can use them. This sub-measure should take into account the condition that if the idea is created in the processing of agricultural products, then the beneficiary must also be the primary producer of the product – the farmer.”

Sub-measure 16.2 must involve cooperation between at least 2 cooperation partners – a farmer or forester and a scientist.

More detailed conditions for receiving support can be viewed on the RSS website. www.lad.gov.lv in the “Support measures” menu.

Source: RSS