CFAs: Support for Participation in Quality Schemes (Malta)

This opportunity aligns with the following focus areas and objectives from the official guidelines: to improve farmers’ position in the value chain; improve the response of Union agriculture to societal demands on food and health, including high quality, safe, and nutritious food produced in a sustainable way; the reduction of food waste; improving animal welfare; combatting antimicrobial resistance; promote Product Quality National Scheme (PQNS) and branding to influence consumer choice; promote products produced to higher standards for environmental and animal welfare; and result indicator R10—share of farms participating in producer groups, organisations, local markets, short supply chain circuits, and quality schemes supported by the CAP.

The programme provides 100% financing for eligible costs, supporting new participants who have been part of a recognized quality scheme for less than 5 years. Eligible schemes include EU Protected Geographical Indications, Protected Designations of Origin, Traditional Specialities Guaranteed, organic products, spirit drinks with geographical indication, Products of Quality National Scheme sets, and other voluntary schemes introduced in the CAP Strategic Plan. Support is open to farmers, groups of farmers, partnerships, cooperatives, and producer organisations, provided projects are implemented within Malta and align with the CAP Strategic Plan’s objectives.

The overall budget available for this intervention is €1,000,000 million in total (public expenditure). The MA reserves the right to amend the budget allocated.

Eligible expenditure includes certification costs, annual contributions for compliance checks, and a flat 7% rate for overhead costs. Expenditure on VAT, purchase of agricultural rights, publicity and dissemination, project management, ordinary maintenance, transaction costs, and any costs linked to ongoing breaches or statutory fines are not covered.

Applications must be submitted electronically by email to the specified address, accompanied by all required supporting documents clearly named after the applicant or partnership. Hard copies, mailed, or hand submissions will not be accepted. All proposals need to address the intervention’s needs and objectives, show a contribution to the Farm to Fork Strategy, emphasize innovation and technology, explain readiness and planning status, demonstrate equal opportunities, and describe sustainability actions.

Projects will be assessed and ranked based on a detailed marking scheme, and only those scoring at least 50% of total marks will qualify for funding. The grant value for selected projects is capped at the amount available and projects must comply with all relevant EU and national rules throughout implementation. Contractual obligations like procurement, administrative checks, payment triggers, controls, documentation, compliance, transparency, and equal opportunity requirements apply. Beneficiaries are expected to keep documentation for at least five years for audit purposes.

The application deadline for this current batch is 12th December 2025 at noon Central European Time, subject to fund availability and any further notifications by the Managing Authority.

For more information, visit FONDI.eu.