Youth Empowerment in agriculture: a Youth Package initiative in the Molise region
About this good practice
The "Youth Package" initiative follows an integrated project logic that allows young farmers to receive incentives for establishing agricultural businesses (Sub-measure 6.1) and a grant for implementing an investment plan through the mandatory activation of Sub-measure 4.1.
• Sub-measure 6.1:
• Economic and Environmental Performance Improvement: Enhancing the economic and environmental performance of agricultural activities through the adoption of innovative technical and organizational solutions by young farmers.
• Revitalizing the Agro-Food System: Stimulating the dynamism of the agro-food system by encouraging young people to establish agricultural enterprises.
Sub-measure 4.1:
• Strengthening Agricultural Enterprises: Supporting investments in agricultural enterprises to improve their competitiveness
• Support for various sectors: Provide targeted support to companies operating in the agricultural sectors to help them with the innovation and transition processes necessary for the new CAP reform.
• Biological and Agro-Climatic Environmental Schemes: Strengthening enterprises involved in organic and agro-climatic environmental schemes or located in Natura 2000 sites
• Reducing costs for enterprises, including through consumption reduction, waste reuse, administrative and management cost reduction, and energy savings.
• Facilitating New Settlements: Supporting the initial settlement in agriculture
• Encouraging Cooperation: Promoting cooperation among farmers
Resources needed
6.5 million€ by Molise Region from EAFDER funds for promoting entrepreneurship of young people in rural areas. The DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND AGRI-FOOD POLICIES - FORESTRY PROGRAMMING - RURAL DEVELOPMENT - PRODUCTIVE FISHING - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION dedicated 5 staff members to this action.
Evidence of success
The good practices “Touth Package” consist of a call and selection of beneficiaries dived in several editions:
• First edition:
Total allocation: 2.500.000 Euro
Number of young farmers supported and new farms established in rural areas: 46
• Second edition:
Total allocation: 6.500.000 euro
Number of young farmers supported and new farms established in rural areas: 39
The amount of financial aid each beneficiary receives on average is between EUR 30,000 and EUR 70,000
Potential for learning or transfer
In the past, the "Youth Package" has already proven to be effective in creating new businesses, helping to make local agriculture more competitive, and countering depopulation in inland areas. Due to its great success, the program has been reopened. This model can be transferred to other rural areas facing similar challenges. Implementing this program elsewhere could stimulate local economies, retain youth populations, and preserve cultural and environmental heritage, making it a valuable model for rural development initiatives. At the regional level, this funding has enabled many young people to stay in their area, helping to mitigate depopulation and increase production and the local economy, encouraging the establishment of new entrepreneurs and the use of abandoned areas.
Further information
Good practice owner
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