Support for the Organization of Advisory Services for Soil and Water Protection
Direct funding of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture for the provision of advisory services on soil and water protection and water-compatible agriculture in Upper Austria. Applications can be submitted indefinitely.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of the provision and organization of advisory services in matters of soil protection as well as the use of plant protection products and to support the targeted and appropriate implementation of water-compatible agriculture in Upper Austria.
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Creation of internal organizational prerequisites for the provision of consulting services in the form of a defined organizational unit (Department Soil.Water.Protection.Consulting)
- Ensuring the necessary consulting media and methods (e.g., software, speakers)
- Orientation of consulting services towards the reduction of nitrate and pesticide contamination as well as erosion control and sustainable drinking water supply
- Annual performance agreements with the funding provider
- Submission of annual performance reports
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Description
Within the framework of the program, the Chamber of Agriculture of Upper Austria supports the organization and provision of expert consulting services in the fields of environmental/nature conservation, agriculture & rural development, as well as energy efficiency & climate protection. The aim of this open-ended grant funding is to assist landowners and users in Upper Austria in reducing nitrate and pesticide contamination, erosion control, and the sustainable safeguarding of drinking water supply. The consulting includes environmentally appropriate fertilization strategies, selection and evaluation of plant protection products, as well as the development of tailored erosion protection concepts. Since 2016, the funding has been continuously available and is based on the provisions of the Upper Austrian Soil Protection Act and the regional Water Supply Act.
Eligible for funding are public institutions that establish a defined organizational unit (Department Soil.Water.Protection.Consulting) and provide suitable consulting media and methodological standards. This includes specialized software solutions, informational brochures, and professional speakers to ensure practical knowledge transfer. A prerequisite for the grant is the alignment of services with pesticide-free cultivation methods, efficient nutrient management, and sustainable soil protection. The direct form of funding as a grant enables demand-oriented allocation of funds. The scope of services and specific targets are defined in annual agreements with the funding agency before disbursement is made quarterly based on actual expenditure. For transparent and effective implementation, the submission of detailed performance reports is mandatory; their review is conducted by a steering and control committee. Additionally, the General Funding Guidelines of the State of Upper Austria must be acknowledged to ensure legally compliant and sustainable use of funds.