Youth Empowerment: Alto Adige Offers New Agriculture Settlement Grants

Youth empowerment in agriculture has taken a significant step forward in Alto Adige. A new grant program is available for young farmers aged 18 to 40 who are looking to establish their own agricultural enterprises. This initiative aims to assist individuals taking on the role of farm leader for the first time, especially when acquiring or taking over an existing business.

Youth Empowerment: New Agriculture Settlement Grants

The grant program requires applicants to submit a comprehensive business plan outlining their agricultural development strategies. According to Luis Walcher, the provincial agriculture advisor, this financial support plays a crucial role in facilitating the entry of new farmers into the sector. It ensures that the transition in leadership within agricultural enterprises remains steady and sustainable.

Program Details

Key details of the agriculture settlement grant program include:

• The eligibility period for applications runs from February 2 to June 15.
• Applications require a detailed business plan.
• Details regarding requirements, application forms, and necessary documents can be found on the public administration portal (civis.bz.it).
• The responsible authority for this initiative is the Ufficio Proprietà coltivatrice of the Agriculture Department in Bolzano.

Funding Source

These grants are part of the Rural Development Program (Piano di Sviluppo Rurale – FEASR) and align with the national strategic plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC), co-financed by the European Union. The announcement for the “Settlement of Young Farmers” program was published on January 29 in the Official Bulletin of the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

This initiative underscores the importance of supporting young entrepreneurs in agriculture. It creates opportunities for a generational turnover, allowing young farmers to grow and innovate within the sector. Supporting youth empowerment in agriculture thus serves not only individual aspirations but also the broader agricultural landscape in Alto Adige.