The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is offering grants of 33.3 million euros to promote the integration of agri-food associations.

• The aid is intended to promote the transformation, marketing and development of agri-food products
• Spain has 21 Priority Associative Entities and one more in the process of recognition
• The funding for the aid comes 43% from the European rural development fund and 57% from the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food , through the Spanish Agricultural Guarantee Fund (FEGA) , has launched a call for applications for grants aimed at tangible and intangible investments in the processing, marketing, or development of agri-food products, with a budget of €33.3 million. This initiative, which falls within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027 , aims to promote the integration of supra-regional agri-food associations.

The call for proposals was published on April 17th in the Official State Gazette. This is the second of three calls planned within the aforementioned strategic framework, with a total budget of €100 million . This round allocates €33.3 million for projects to be implemented during 2026 and 2027 , with funding coming from the latter fiscal year. Funding is provided 43% by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and 57% by the Ministry's national budget.

Following the processing of the first call for proposals, it has been necessary to incorporate several regulatory modifications to achieve an effective allocation of public funds, aligned with the principles of sound financial management, in order to guarantee the sustainability and protection of the territory. This aims to broaden access to public funding for a greater number of eligible applications and promote a more efficient and balanced use of available budgetary resources. It also seeks to strengthen the impact of the aid on the territory, prioritizing areas defined in specific action frameworks or plans.

Eligible projects may be carried out until September 1, 2027. The grant will cover up to 65% of eligible expenses if the beneficiary is a Priority Associative Entity (EAP), and up to 50% in the case of commercial entities majority-owned by an EAP . Applications may be submitted within 20 business days starting today, Monday, April 20.

PRIORITY ASSOCIATIVE ENTITIES

These grants are regulated by Royal Decree 1219/2024, of December 3, and are intended to improve the processes of transformation and marketing of agri-food products by Priority Associative Entities and their affiliated companies.

The aim is to increase the added value of their products, strengthen their market position and promote sustainable practices that favor efficient management of natural resources, thus contributing to the resilience of food systems.

Among other purposes, the aid is aimed at promoting the reduction of food waste, the introduction of digital technologies in companies, the reduction of GHG emissions and better management of water resources in industry and the use of by-products, treatment and valorization of waste and purification of liquid effluents.

The initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Food Strategy and responds to challenges 1 and 2 of the same, strategic sourcing and the challenge of sustainable food systems.