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agricultural products, promotion in local markets and short

supply circuits, and other forms of cooperation.

These aspects, among others, have all been incorporated

in the following six key priority areas of intervention of the

future RDP 2014-2020:

• facilitation of processes of structural adjustment in

agriculture and, consequently, the creation of conditions

for increasing the productivity of Slovenian agriculture

• more efficient organization of the agricultural market,

strengthening of food production chains and higher

recognizability and quality of locally produced products

• sustainable exploitation of forests and increasing

added value of wood, with better market integration in

the field of forestry and along the forest-wood chain,

and by increasing competitiveness in forestry and

non-industrial wood processing

• promotion of agricultural practices which contribute to

the good condition of natural resources and adaptation

to climate change

• green jobs and coherent and sustainable development

of rural areas, based on developing the potential of the

local environment

• transfer of knowledge and innovation, environmental

care and climate change which are horizontal objectives

pursued by all five priority areas, the preservation of

natural resources being the strongest objective among

these with more than half of the available funding (52

per cent) awarded within RDP 2014-2020.

The common goal of all six key priority areas could be summed

up as reinforcing existing family farming systems to be able

to cope with new realities by underpinning them in achieving

increased economic and environmental effectiveness, and to

improve their market access by creating viable local markets.

Young families should be at the heart of all these efforts as they

are the future backbone of rural economies. Not only could

they play a pivotal role in the maintenance of farming, they are

also often more inclined towards linking agriculture with other

spheres of the local economy such as rural tourism, natural and

cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and skills, educational

activities, renewable energy production and social care. Young

farmers should, in particular, be stimulated to take over the

farm and grasp the opportunities of this profession as they are

usually more innovative, resource-efficient and entrepreneurial,

and can effectively combine the knowledge and experiences of

older generations with the latest developments in the sector.

This capacity for knowledge transmission from one generation

to another, maintenance of tradition, mutual support among

the generations as well as involvement in the local commu-

nity, is another unique characteristic of family farming, which

strengthens social tissue and contributes to the vitality of local

communities. Taking account of all these aspects, family farming

could, indeed, prove to be a challenging but also a promising

economic activity for young, entrepreneurial people. The young

will be supported under RDP 2014-2020 using the measure

called ‘Farm and business development’, which will offer them

start-up aid for the development of their farms. Structural change,

increased competitiveness and generational renewal will be allot-

ted 20 per cent of all available funds from RDP 2014-2020.

Since unfavourable structural and natural features prevent

Slovenian agriculture from achieving the competitiveness of

countries with significantly better conditions, focus will also be

laid on increasing the added value of products and achieving

greater differentiation in the offer of products which consumer

will recognize. Greater emphasis will be laid on develop-

ing local markets and short supply chains to stimulate local

production, job creation and the wider economic and social

vitality of the countryside, as well as market organization and

cooperation in agriculture and forestry. Approximately 9 per

cent of all available programme funds are intended for this

priority. The largest share of funds is dedicated to the process-

ing and marketing of farm products, where different types of

repayable assistance (such as credits and subsidized interest

rates) will be made available alongside grants.

In the area of promoting wider local economic devel-

opment in rural areas, emphasis will be given to the

preservation and establishment of new jobs, diversification

of income on farms, and local partnerships. The intention is

to stimulate economic development by activating available

local resources and potentials, such as wood, rich natural

and cultural heritage, a qualified labour force, tourism, social

entrepreneurship, renewable energy production and waste

management. Altogether, 15 per cent of the available funds

from RDP 2014-2020 are dedicated to this priority, which is

targeted at developing economic activities in the countryside

and local development. Apart from grants, different types of

repayable assistance for start-ups will be introduced, thus

addressing the need to ensure better access to funding.

With all the right incentives and the proper environment,

family farming with its roots deep in the past could provide

the right answer for our future as well.

Allocation of RDP 2014-2020 funding

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Slovenia

Protection of natural resources and biodiversity,

maintenance of farming in LFA areas

Entrepreneurship, basic services and wider

local development of rural areas

Strengthening of food production chains, value added,

quality schemes

Competitiveness and resource efficiency in agriculture

Technical assistance and certain commitments from 2007-2013

53%

15%

20%

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