Investments in the Processing and/or Marketing of Agricultural Products
Investments in the Processing and/or Marketing of Agricultural Products
Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the scheme are:
- Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Republic of Cyprus.
- Businesses engaged in eligible sectors as defined in the scheme (industry, tourism, services, technology, agri-food, etc.).
- Businesses that maintain legal operation, have a valid operating license, and have no pending insolvency proceedings.
*Excluded:
- Businesses in sectors such as primary agricultural production, tobacco, high-alcohol beverages, gambling.
- Businesses considered problematic, as defined by EU regulations
Eligible Costs
- Building works and space configuration, such as renovations, extensions, or adaptations of buildings.
- Machinery and equipment for the production process.
- Digital technologies, software, and information systems.
- Consulting services related to business development, digital transformation, or certification.
- Certifications (ISO, EMAS, HACCP, etc.).
- Promotion and marketing actions, such as participation in exhibitions, website creation, and branding.
Non-eligible expenses: Vehicle purchases, operating expenses (salaries, rent, utility bills), taxes, and fees.
Funding
- The funding rate ranges between 40% – 60% of eligible costs, depending on the region and the size of the business.
- Maximum grant amount: up to €200,000 per business.
- Minimum investment budget: approximately €20,000.
- The business is required to cover the remaining costs with its own participation or a loan.
Eligibility Criteria
- Excluded sectors:
Employers active in the following sectors are not eligible for subsidies:
– Primary production of fisheries and aquaculture.
– Processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products with subsidies linked to quantity/price.
– Primary production of agricultural products.
– Processing and marketing of agricultural products with conditions of passing on aid to primary producers.
– Activities directly linked to exports.
– Aid requiring the use of domestic goods and services instead of imported ones. - Training Program:
– Duration: 10 – 420 hours.
– Conferences are not approved.
– The training must address a need that cannot be met in Cyprus.
– There must be a detailed daily program from the organizer abroad. - Participants:
– Each employee can participate once per year.
– More than one employee from the same employer is not allowed to attend the same subsidized program.
– Their duties must be directly related to the content of the program