Promotion of Willingness to Transition to Organic Farming

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg supports providers of specialist, informational, and advisory events within the framework of a grant program, which assist small and medium-sized enterprises in primary agricultural production as well as in processing and marketing. The aim of the program is to sustainably increase knowledge transfer and willingness to convert to organic farming. The funding relies on qualified and regularly trained personnel to ensure the professional implementation of consultations, specialist events, demonstration projects, and farm inspections. Measures that enable a sustainable and economically viable transition in the agricultural sector and thereby strengthen regional competitiveness are supported.

The initiative focuses on various projects that include both information and advisory services as well as the implementation of demonstration projects. Grants are paid out at 100% of eligible costs. Specifically, demonstration projects can be funded with up to €100,000 over a period of 36 months, and individual advisory services with up to €1,500 per deployment. Eligible expenses include, among others, the establishment of project management, coordination of project work, public relations, as well as the recording and analysis of issues. A detailed financing plan and a convincing project description demonstrating that successful implementation would not be possible without the funding form the basis of the application. Due to the high requirements, the application must be submitted to the Authority for Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture in Hamburg no later than one month before the start of the project.

The funding measure makes a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Hamburg by promoting innovative approaches and professionally sound advice. Through targeted knowledge transfer and practical support, agricultural enterprises are accompanied in their transition to organic production methods and strengthened in the long term for new market opportunities. At the same time, the funding improves the market position of small and medium-sized enterprises by enabling a sustainable and future-oriented dialogue between conventional and organic farms. Compliance with strict funding guidelines and transparent allocation of grants ensure that only economically viable and innovatively designed projects are supported, thereby sustainably strengthening Hamburg as a location for sustainable agriculture.