Education – Advanced and Continuing Training

With the national special guideline for further education and training, youth organizations in rural areas, employees in dependent employment, as well as students in all eight federal states from Burgenland to Vienna receive extensive subsidies for practice-oriented educational and qualification measures in agriculture and forestry. The goal is to familiarize young people with the provisions of the Agricultural Act 1992 and the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as to promote professional skills through workshops, seminars, study trips, and personality development projects. Special attention is given to the establishment of a nationwide service center for internships abroad, including a web-based directory of suitable enterprises, country-specific information offerings, and preparatory training. Eligible costs include personnel expenses and material costs; the project duration is limited to twelve months. The funding rates cover between 80% and 100% of the eligible costs depending on the measure. Applications can be submitted by October 31 of the preceding year (for 2024 until December 31, 2023) and are based on economy, appropriateness, and thriftiness.

Eligible applicants are natural and legal persons, companies, non-profit organizations, interest groups, as well as public institutions that demonstrate the professional qualification to carry out the projects. In addition to the formal and timely submission of the funding application, a declaration of commitment and a needs assessment are required. Taxes and duties, procedural costs, financing and insurance costs, as well as representation expenses are not eligible for funding. The obligation to consider all public funds used ensures economical use of resources. By supporting practice-oriented training offers and international learning formats, the guideline sets sustainable impulses for a vital rural area and strengthens professional competence in Austrian agriculture.