European Projects

Spain: Building dry stone walls to improve farm productivity while protecting soil erosion

A young farmer used RDP funding to rehabilitate terraces and stone walls, to maintain the traditional landscape and avoid erosion and soil loss. This investment helped him to increase the area suitable for cultivation, to protect the soil on his farm and secure an income that allows him to stay in the area. MORE

Hungary: In response to COVID-19, a website was set up to match agricultural companies with jobseekers

Due to restrictions in cross-border travelling resulting from the COVID-19 crisis, labour shortages have emerged in the agricultural sector. Through the technical assistance under the Rural Development Programme, a website was set up to connect farmers and producers with potential employees. MORE

Latvia: ‘BeeKing’ – Digital solutions for apiary management

This LEADER project was established to test a set of digital tools and services that could support efficient apiary management and knowledge exchange in the sector. The “BeeKing” portal was developed, enabling beekeepers to maintain their administrative records as part of a broader overview of beekeeping apiaries and hives. The portal also includes a forum for user support and networking. MORE

Italy: Agronomic techniques for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in organic farming

The agricultural sector can and must contribute to the mitigation of the greenhouse effect by reducing its own emissions as well as by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Specifically in organic farming, an EIP-AGRI operational group was set up in Emilia Romagna to identify agronomic techniques that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time maintaining production yields and product quality. MORE

Slovenia: A small farm diversifying into therapeutic horse riding

The objective of this project was to support the development of tourism and new services on the farm. With support from the LEADER measure, equestrian equipment was purchased, riding paths developed, a riding hall constructed, as well as a instructor/therapist hired. MORE

Luxembourg: Creating a digital inventory of walking trails

Despite its great natural and cultural potential, the Atert-Wark area is practically unknown and lacks specific offers for attracting outdoors activities and ecotourism. In order to raise the profile of this small rural region and become a quality destination for hikers, a digital inventory of walking trails with ready-to-print maps was developed with LEADER support. MORE

Denmark: Using food waste to produce animal protein from insects

Insects are seen as a sustainable alternative to soy beans as a source of protein for animal feed. With LEADER support a hobby was turned into a revenue-generating business! This company uses waste products to create insect protein and turns it into animal feed. MORE

Greece: Developing a broadband network in rural ‘White Areas’

“White areas” are areas of Europe that are identified as having no internet infrastructure. They are usually remote, mountainous or peripheral regions and are facing the negative impacts for their businesses and social well-being. The project developed a broadband infrastructure network that covers such rural white areas, connecting 16.000 households to a high capacity broadband network. MORE

Czech Republic: A meat processing company invests in animal welfare to improve its profitability while responding to society’s ethical concerns.

A meat processor invested in new buildings and equipment to improve his veterinary and food safety standards. At the same time, the investment allowed him to increased the profitability and enhanced its competitiveness. In addition, it positively contributed to the ethical image of the firm. MORE

Hungary: Establishing a tree plantation for industrial use

Rural Development support helped to set up innovative and high quality poplar plantations to respond to the increasing demand for high quality raw materials, both nationally and abroad. Choosing the appropriate variety for the selected site is key, this can reduce the risk of monoculture and it is also the only possible defence against new infections by potential pathogens. MORE