In order to support micro-businesses in the production of agricultural products for direct or indirect marketing, the Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development provides start-up aid for the development of micro-businesses.

This aid covers 2 components:

• aid for consultancy costs for the development of a business plan;
• investment aid (capital aid) for the implementation of the business plan.

Who is concerned

This aid can be applied for by micro-businesses:

• that produce agricultural products that are marketed:
  • either through direct sales;
  • or indirectly, provided there is only one intermediary; and
• employ fewer than 10 people; and
• whose annual turnover or annual balance sheet total does not exceed EUR 2 million.

Deadlines

The applicant must submit the application before the implementation of the business plan.

How to proceed

Filing an application

The start-up aid for the development of micro-businesses for the production of agricultural products is divided into 2 consecutive stages:

• the 1^st stage covers the costs for the development of a business plan;
• the 2^nd stage covers the costs for implementing this business plan (capital aid).

For both types of aid, the application must be submitted to the Rural Development Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development.

1. Application for aid for consultancy services for the development of a business plan

The applicant must apply for aid for consultancy services before the project is implemented.

Consultancy costs incurred before the application is submitted are eligible, provided that the relevant invoices are dated from 1 January 2021 onwards.

The applicant must attach the following supporting documents, where applicable, to the application:

• a bank account identification document (RIB);
• a copy of their business permit;
• a letter concerning applications for co-financing to other ministerial departments;
• if it is an existing micro-business:
  • a commercial balance sheet for the year preceding the application for aid; and
  • a certificate of affiliation from the Joint Social Security Centre stating the number of employees;
  • the statutes and/or agreements of the micro-business.

Before the aid is paid out, the applicant must also submit original receipted invoices for consultancy costs.

The applicant must submit their application using the completed, dated and signed aid application form (see below "Forms / Online services").

2. Application for capital aid (investment aid)

Investment aid is paid in 2 instalments.

To be eligible for a 1^st instalment of aid, the applicant must submit a business plan describing the following elements:

• the initial situation of the company;
• the details of the measures that could contribute to achieving economic viability, including those aimed at environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.

The allocation of this first instalment is subject to the validation of the business plan by the Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development.

In order to receive the second instalment, the applicant must submit a request for payment once the implementation of the business plan has been completed.

The applicant must attach the following supporting documents, where applicable, to the request for payment:

• a bank account identification document (RIB);
• a copy of their business permit;
• proof that the implementation of the business plan has started within 9 months of the decision to grant the aid: the 1^st invoice drawn up relating to the work carried out in connection with the investment;
• a letter concerning applications for co-financing to other ministerial departments;
• photos of the completed project.

The implementation of the business plan is verified on site by the regional services of the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services (ASTA).

The applicant must submit the application using the completed, dated and signed application for payment form (see below "Forms / Online Services").

Amount of aid

Amount of aid for business plan consultancy costs

An eligible micro-business may receive aid in the amount of up to EUR 3,000 for consultancy costs incurred for the development of a business plan.

Amount of investment aid

The capital aid (investment subsidy) in the amount of EUR 12,000 is paid out in 2 instalments:

• the first instalment of EUR 8,000 after approval of the business plan;
• the second instalment of EUR 4,000 after implementation of the business plan.

Forms / Online services

Who to contact