Marketing and Market Development

The national special guideline "Marketing and Market Development" specifically supports measures to strengthen existing as well as to develop new sales markets for Austrian agricultural products. Federal, state governments, and interested associations or clubs can apply for grants for events such as awards, fairs and exhibitions, information campaigns on producer prices, as well as other sales-promoting activities. Eligible expenses include personnel and material costs starting from EUR 7,000, whereby advertising activities in favor of individual enterprises or brands as well as international livestock exhibitions are excluded. The funding aims to increase the reach and economic efficiency of innovative projects and to intensify public relations for domestic products. The project duration is up to 12 months, with a maximum funding rate of 80% of eligible costs. Evaluation criteria particularly include economic efficiency, appropriateness, and coherence with the objectives of the special guideline.

Funding applications can be submitted by partnerships, legal entities, or associations of persons registered in the Austrian commercial register with a branch in Austria no later than October 31 of the previous year (for 2024 by December 31, 2023). The application must be accompanied by a detailed financing plan, a project description, a declaration of commitment, and a statement of need. Upon positive decision, the federal grant is disbursed subject to the availability of funds and in coordination with state subsidies. Applicants are obliged, upon written request, to submit proof of use and reports by March 31 of the following year. The special guideline is valid until December 31, 2029, and provides a framework to sustainably position Austrian products domestically and abroad.