This case study describes the SELFIEmployment financial instrument in Italy which provides financial support through micro and small loans at zero interest rate for people Not (engaged) in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) to enhance their self-employment and entrepreneurship initiatives, thus increasing their chances of being included in the labour market.
This report offers a first look into the financial gap for agricultural enterprises for short-term and for medium and long-term loans. It is based on established European Commission methodology (Ex-ante assessment of the EU SME Initiative, 2013) and incorporates improved calculations. The input variables are based on updated data from Eurostat, the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) provided by DG AGRI and the SAFE survey. Wherever specific data for the agricultural sector was not available, approximations were used.
The fi-compass macro-regional conference on EAFRD financial instruments for agriculture and rural development in 2014-2020 took place in Warsaw on 24 October 2016.
The event:
The new fi-compass series of specific thematic workshops started with an event covering financial instruments supporting energy efficiency in Vienna on 20 October 2016. Peer-to-peer learning and sharing experience were central.
Participants could:
The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) policy framework emphasises the need for more use of financial instruments in 2014-2020: the overall aim is therefore to deliver more ESIF funding through financial instruments in the future. To help achieve this, the European Commission, in partnership with the EIB, has set up a single advisory platform on ESIF financial instruments for the programming period 2014-2020. This advisory platform is called fi-compass.
The measures implemented in the region of Castile and León under the CAP Strategic Plan are designed to support climate adaptation and environmental improvement. These include initiatives aimed at reducing water consumption in irrigation while enhancing farmers’ profitability.
Fernando Aparicio Franco, a farmer who cultivates maize, beans, and wheat, recently upgraded his farm’s irrigation system with the support of a EAFRD financial instrument. This modernisation not only boosted his crop yields but also proved to be more environmentally sustainable. It significantly reduced water usage and even enabled him to monitor and control the system remotely via mobile phone, all while reducing his workload.
The meat industry stands as the leading sector in terms of turnover within the agro-industrial landscape. It plays a vital role in generating employment, particularly in rural regions such as Castilla y León. Financial instruments are essential for supporting individuals who face challenges in accessing credit and, when combined with subsidies aimed at modernising farms or encouraging entrepreneurship among young people, they can drive meaningful development.
For David Martín Berrocal, owner of a small Iberian ham company, competing with large-scale producers was no easy task. But with the backing of an EAFRD financial instrument, David was able to invest in his business and create new job opportunities within his community.
Climate related risks are a significant source of uncertainty for agricultural production, farm resilience, and the broader bioeconomy value chain. In this video, experts present the fi-compass report “Insurance and Risk Management Tools for Agriculture in the EU”, highlighting current agriculture insurance schemes and other climate adaptation de-risking mechanisms across EU Member States.
