In Hungary in terms of the geographical position and the geological quality of the soil 
agriculture still plays an important role in the national economy. The average age among the farmers has been rising and there is a lack of knowledge among the younger generations of the farmers. So there is a need to facilitate the generation change with complex approach and with the involvement of the young skilled and experienced farmers.
The Grant for Young Farmers call was launched within the framework of the Rural Development Operative Programme. The core goal of the programme is to support the business establishment of young farmers and regarding to this the transformation of the agricultural estate structure, improve the age structure of the farmers and to enhance the population retention of the rural parts of the country. In the call the support of the high value added and the labour intensive activities are emphasized. The call offers a one-time lump sum support of 40000 € that the winners can use for general purposes in the field of setting up an agricultural business.
The tenderer and the managing authority of the programme is the Deputy State Secretariat for Agricultural and Rural Development Programmes of the Prime Minister’s Office. The beneficiaries can be natural persons between 18 and 40 years, who are sole traders in agricultural activity no longer than 12 months and have approved vocational qualifications.
In the previous programming period 5 calls were announced, altogether 8000 young farmers were supported and 97 billion HUF (~312 million €) was spent during the programme. The winners had to work as a sole trader for five years after they received the grant and this brought young and skilled workforce into the agricultural sector. The current call is open between the 16th of March 2017 and 14th of March 2019.
Further information:
https://www.mvh.allamkincstar.gov.hu/documents/123932/0/NHRDP_20140516.pdfhttps://www.mvh.allamkincstar.gov.hu/documents/123932/0/NHRDP_20140516.pdf (page 148: 5.3.1.1.2. Setting up of young farmers)
