EAFRD 2023-2027: Investments for the Conservation, Restoration, and Enhancement of Natural Heritage
EAFRD funding program "Investments for the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of the natural heritage" in Austria 2023–2027. Applications can be submitted continuously. Valid from 01.01.2023 to 31.12.2027.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Investments in rural areas for the preservation and enhancement of natural heritage, strengthening ecological functions, climate protection, biodiversity, and sustainable development of rural regions.
Eligible expenses
- Investment and construction costs
- Planning and project support costs
- Machinery and technical equipment
- Adaptation of existing infrastructure
- Specialized equipment for nature conservation and forest management
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of land
- Ongoing operating costs
- Purchase of vehicles
- Debt repayment
- Personnel expenses
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Cooperatives
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
- Public Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Agricultural or forestry operation
- At least 3 hectares of agricultural land or suitable forest area
- Proof of professional qualification or forest management plan from 100 ha of forest
- Possession of all official permits (forestry, water, and nature conservation law)
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Cost-effectiveness calculation
- Official approval notices
- Forest management plan
Evaluation criteria
- Economic efficiency of the project
- Contribution to climate protection and biodiversity
- Degree of innovation
- Regional benefit
- Sustainability aspects
Description
The EAFRD program "Investments for the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of the natural heritage" supports measures nationwide and in Vienna in rural areas. The goal is to strengthen ecological functions, biodiversity, and climate protection, as well as the sustainable development of rural regions. Funding is provided, among others, to agricultural and forestry enterprises, forest owners, agricultural communities, water cooperatives, cooperatives, associations, public institutions, and non-governmental organizations. Funding applications can be submitted continuously until December 31, 2027, with a maximum project duration of 60 months. Depending on the project scope and funding focus, funding rates range between 35% and 100%, with both joint measures and individual investment and construction projects possible.
Eligible are investment and construction costs for infrastructure adaptation (e.g., watercourse renaturation, bank protection, buffer strips, wetlands), costs for planning and project support, acquisition of machinery and technical equipment, specialized devices for nature conservation or forest management, as well as the establishment and modernization of existing structures. Excluded are land acquisition, ongoing operating costs, vehicle purchases, debt repayment, and personnel costs. Requirements for application include, among others, an agricultural or forestry enterprise with at least 3 hectares of land or suitable forest area, professional qualification or forest management plan from 100 hectares, and all necessary official permits. To be submitted are the project description, financing plan, cost-effectiveness calculation, official approvals, and, if applicable, forest management plan. Awarding is based on cost-effectiveness, contribution to climate protection and biodiversity, degree of innovation, regional benefit, and sustainability aspects. The total budget amounts to €7.775 million.