Funding of prevention measures and ongoing operating expenses for protection against damage caused by wolves

In the state of Brandenburg, agricultural enterprises and other land managers can continuously apply for grants for preventive livestock protection measures and ongoing operating expenses to protect against wolf damage starting from January 1, 2025. Funded are investment measures such as wolf-deterring fences, under-digging protection, night pens, or the acquisition and training of certified livestock guardian dogs, as well as the maintenance of these protection systems (including fence maintenance, dog food, and veterinary costs). The funding rate ranges between 80% and 100% of eligible expenses depending on the measure, with a maximum grant of €30,000 per year. For livestock guardian dogs, the maximum grant is €6,000 per certified animal. A prerequisite is the confirmation of professional necessity by the official wolf officer or the State Office for the Environment. Applications can be submitted until December 31, 2027, with project commencement possible from May 1, 2025. The responsible approval authority is the State Office for Rural Development, Agriculture and Land Consolidation (LELF).

With the voluntary grants from the GAK framework plan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Environment and Consumer Protection Brandenburg aims for a low-conflict coexistence of wolves and grazing livestock. Through technical and non-technical livestock protection measures, public acceptance is to be strengthened, grazing secured, and the risk of wolf attacks minimized. Eligible for funding are farmers within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No. 2021/2115 as well as other commercial users (excluding municipalities), provided they implement livestock protection within the framework of landscape management, preservation of genetic resources, or coastal protection. Applications are to be submitted using the application form for wolf prevention measures and, if applicable, a separate application for ongoing operating costs, as well as the declaration "Company in Difficulty." All required documents must be submitted via the LELF.