European Projects

Slovakia: Setting up a business incubator in an area suffering from high unemployment

In an area suffering from high unemployment a company decided to set up a business incubator that would contribute to economic development.
The incubator was designed to provide a series of services including information technologies, rooms for training events and business meetings, business administration support and consulting on broad legislation.
Today the incubator has become a meeting place for entrepreneurs from the region and already serves 16 small firms. MORE

Portugal: Revitalizing a mountainous area by empowering local and regional actors

Despite its highly valued landscape and ecosystems, a mountainous area in Portugal is facing significant socioeconomic challenges, abandonment and depopulation.
The project aims to revitalise the area by empowering local and regional actors to work more effectively with rural communities.
It is expected to increase local actors’ knowledge about new opportunities on how to improve the living and working conditions in their area, according to modern expectations and standards. MORE

Germany: A land consolidation process helped to restore the functionality of vineyard terraces that would otherwise have been abandoned

Through a land consolidation process, local communities and authorities, land owners and farm managers worked closely together in order to redistribute ownership and public land.
This process has allowed to restore 15ha of vineyard terraces in a way that it ca be used again for viticulture and its value in terms of nature conservation as safeguarded. MORE

Italy: RDP funds supporting an agricultural business after damages from extreme weather events

This project is demonstrating how Rural Development funds can be used for rebuilding a farm who´s buildings and crops were severely hit by extreme weather events. The company can now operate as it did before! MORE

Netherlands: The ‘Stable of the Future’ for the pig farming sector

This pilot project aims to develop the ‘stable of the future’, aiming to prevent ammonia emissions and to supporting the generation of sustainable energy directly from fresh manure. Such a stable will increase the farm’s profitability and become an example of modern circular agriculture. MORE

Spain: Pueblos Vivos – Living Villages

This interterritorial cooperation project is promoting the life in rural areas and aims to create the conditions for reversing the depopulation problem in the rural areas of Aragon.
For instance, actions to support the local population to remain in their territory as well as actions to improve the attractiveness of the areas involved, will be carried out.
As a pilot project, it will establish and test a methodology of work that supports the population in rural areas and attracts new settlers. MORE

Belgium: Supporting the social integration of people who suffer from mental health and/or social issues.

Through collective and individual activities on farms, the association ‘Nos Oignons’ helps patients to learn new things, build new relationships and gain self-confidence. The first results in the field are stunning! Many European regions could be inspired by this best practice project. MORE

France: A certification label for the sustainable management of hedgerows

The use of public support has proven vital for developing a certification label that ensures a sustainable management of biomass originating from hedgerows. This provides a new source of income for farmers while promoting the protection of hedgerows, which increases biodiversity, reduces the use of pesticides and reduces the risk of erosion. MORE

Sweden: Integration of young migrants through nature and outdoor learning

'Rural Newcomers' is a project to help young migrants integrate into Swedish society and the labour market. Over the last 7 years, the initiative has shown that learning about nature and rural areas is key for facilitating the integration of young migrants. MORE

Latvia: Using 100% natural materials for construction and renovation

EAFRD support was used to introduce innovative technologies for using 100% natural materials such as hemp in construction and renovation. The material secures an outstanding indoor micro-climate, an excellent temperature stability as well as an anti-allergenic environment. MORE