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.
A Workers’ Buyout happens when employees take over ownership of the company they work for, often to save it from closure or preserve jobs. This video highlights how this approach helps with business succession and job security, featuring real-life stories from across Europe and insights into how cooperatives can support these efforts, showing how Workers’ buyouts can empower employees, strengthen local economies, and offer a sustainable alternative for businesses facing economic hardship.
Microfinance can help Europe's necessity-driven entrepreneurs and those starting businesses to provide for themselves and their families. With zero-interest loans, no guarantees, and hands-on support, microfinance is unlocking self-employment, creating jobs, and driving social inclusion.
This video explains how Bulgaria and Poland implemented ESF+ financial instruments to support entrepreneurship through microcredit and other tools. It also highlights how programmes like CONFÍA in Spain play a key role to assist women entrepreneurs and other target groups in accessing finance for their businesses.
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.
