Explore the full recording of the conference 'Access to finance for smaller farms in the EU', organised by the European Commission's DG AGRI in partnership with the European Investment Bank. Gain insights into the challenges faced by smaller farms in accessing finance and discover examples of currently implemented EAFRD financial instruments and national schemes supporting their financing across the EU. Hear from key speakers including Mihail Dumitru from DG AGRI and Hubert Cottogni from the European Investment Fund as they discuss the importance of the reformed Common Agricultural Policy in supporting smaller farms and the role of financial instruments in fostering sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness in the agricultural sector.

Thanks to a European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) financial instrument, Simone, a young cheese producer based in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy, was able to create a small dairy laboratory and buy all the necessary equipment. The Region’s Loan Fund helped him join the family business and maintain the tradition.

Set-up with EUR 93 million from the Rural Development Programme of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and regional resources, the EAFRD Loan Fund has helped hundreds of farmers in the region to improve their production and become more competitive.

The agricultural sector needs to respond quickly to current challenges. To do this, we must provide farmers with investment opportunities, allowing them to innovate and achieve their goals. In this video case study, we hear first-hand accounts of how the EAFRD Loan Fund has supported farmers in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region of Italy to grow their business and improve production.

The EAFRD Loan Fund, a revolving fund set-up with EUR 93 million, from the Rural Development Programme of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region and regional resources has already helped hundreds of farmers in the Friuli Venezia-Giulia region to innovate and grow their business.