Call for Proposals: On-Farm Non-Productive Investments Funding (Malta)

This intervention contributes to the following specific objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan: fostering sustainable development and the efficient management of natural resources such as water, soil, and air, including reducing chemical dependency, and contributing to halting and reversing biodiversity loss while enhancing ecosystem services and preserving habitats and landscapes.

Funding under this intervention supports activities related to tree planting and related ancillary works that contribute to environmental and climate objectives. Eligible actions include planting trees for soil management and erosion control, as well as the removal of invasive alien tree species. When alien species are removed, the planting of new trees must follow Environment and Resources Authority guidelines and must not involve chemical removal methods. Afforestation activities must involve a minimum land area of 0.5 hectares with a minimum tree cover of 10 percent and should use only native or indigenous tree species suitable for the Maltese environment.

The overall indicative budget allocated for this intervention is €500,000 in total public expenditure, although the Managing Authority reserves the right to amend the allocated budget or cap allocations at the award stage if applications exceed available funding. In addition, a 7 percent flat rate of the total direct eligible costs is automatically added to support overhead costs for beneficiaries implementing EU-funded projects.

Eligible expenditure includes costs related to materials, services, and labour required for environmental improvements, as well as actions such as cutting, thinning, or pruning trees when these activities improve the ecological value of forests. Professional services such as architectural, engineering, consultation fees, feasibility studies, and the acquisition of patents or licenses may also be supported up to a maximum of 15 percent of the total eligible project cost. Publicity and dissemination costs that exceed the mandatory programme obligations may also be considered eligible.

Applications that involve equipment or machinery purchases, restoration of rubble walls, tree planting unrelated to the intervention’s environmental objectives, or investments linked to private dwellings, accommodation, or hotels are not eligible for funding. Non-native tree species are also not eligible, and operations that have already been physically completed before the submission of the application will not be considered for support. VAT expenses, project management costs, in-kind contributions, ordinary maintenance operations, and transaction costs are also excluded from funding eligibility.

The intervention is open to farmers, including natural persons, legal entities, or partnerships operating in the eligible territory. Applicants must submit a fully completed application and demonstrate that they are part of or legally represent the applying organisation. They must also provide evidence of sufficient financial capacity to cover any private financial contribution where applicable. The proposed project must contribute to the objectives and targets of the intervention and must align with the programme’s specific needs and results. Projects must also comply with relevant environmental, planning, and agricultural legislation and must be implemented within the eligible territory.

For more information, visit Fondi.eu.