IPARD incentives – when and can I get funding for the purpose of implementing IPARD projects?

Major support to Serbian agriculture is provided by IPARD funds, aimed at improving life in the village and ensuring the wellbeing of rural populations. Together with the funds from the European Union and the national budget, agricultural holdings have multi-purpose grants at their disposal. There is an ongoing competition for three IPARD subsidy measures – property investment (construction, equipment, machinery), funds for the production and promotion of agricultural products, as well as agritourism development.

To apply for a grant from IPARD funds, you need to fulfil the clearly defined conditions.

• that you have no outstanding taxes or social insurance contributions or any other unpaid liabilities to the state at the time of submitting your application

• that you have not applied for the same investment from other EU or government funds

• that you have settled your due obligations arising from formerly granted investments

• in case you do not own the agricultural holding or land to be used for investment purposes, you must submit the leasing or lease agreement covering the period of minimum 5 years from the final disbursement date

What is very important is that before the funds are disbursed, you should adjust your operations to the national standards regarding environmental protection and animal welfare.

1. The grant you may receive from IPARD funds for property investments accounts for 60% of the total reasonable costs. If you are under 40, the percentage is slightly higher, i.e., 65%. In case you are implementing the project in mountainous regions, the fund will cover 70% of your costs. If you need funds for fruit, vegetables and other crops, including the grapes sector, the minimum amount is EUR 5,000 and maximum EUR 700,000. In case of the dairy, meat and eggs sector, you may be granted up to EUR 1,000,000. Eligible applicants for this measure are the following: a private individual (the owner of a commercial family agricultural holding), an entrepreneur, a business entity and an agricultural cooperative. (The competition is open from 1^st April 2021 to 30 ^th June 2021)

2. If you need investment funds for physical property for processing and marketing agricultural and fishery products, the amount of the grant is up to 50% of total reasonable costs and 60% for investments in wastewater treatment plants. The minimum and maximum amounts of refund by sector are as follows: minimum EUR 10,000 and maximum EUR 1,000,000 for the meat, fruit and vegetables, eggs and grapes sector, and maximum EUR 2,000,000 for the dairy sector. To apply, you must be a registered entrepreneur, legal entity with less than 25% of the public capital or voting rights owned by a public authority or an agricultural cooperative. (The competition is open from 4^th May 2021 to 15^th July 2021)

3. If you operate in the field of agricultural holdings diversification and business development i.e., agritourism, the amount of the grant is up to 65% of total reasonable costs. The minimum amount is EUR 5,000 and maximum EUR 300,000. This incentive is available to private individuals and legal entities with a background in tourism and hospitality industry, as well as those that have no experience in those fields, but should possess property classified for the provision of tourism or hospitality services until such time when the investment is realised. It may be a private individual as the owner of a family agricultural holding, an entrepreneur, as well as a business entity which is either a micro business or a small legal entity. (The competition is open from 1^st June 2021 to 30^th August 2021)