Good Practices National Rural Development Network

Issue 12 Year II, February 2015

the roots of europe

Ministerul Agriculturii și Dezvoltării Rurale REGIONAL OFFICES Support Unit for the National Rural Development Network

BRĂILA Bdul Independenţei, nr. 282, et. 1, PO Box 810124, [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS Tel.: 0339 732 009, Fax: 0339 732 016

CRAIOVA FOREWORD 2 Str. Libertăţii, nr. 19, Facultatea de Agricultură și Horticultură, cam. L-311, et. 2, PO Box 200421, [email protected], Tel.: 0251 460 377, Fax: 0251 423 651 PROJECTS FROM 6

ZALĂU CHAPTER 1. LOCAL ACTION GROUPS 8 Str. Kossuth Lajos, nr. 49, PO Box 450010, [email protected] Tel.: 0360 404 056, Fax: 0360 404 158 The Center for Rural Development in LAG. Focus on the prosperity of villages 8

TÂRGU MUREŞ Valea Someșului LAG. Achieving local development by uniting forces 12 Str. Mihai Eminescu, nr. 60, PO Box 540331, [email protected] Tel.: 0365 430 349, Fax: 0365 430 351 CHAPTER 2. FARMS 16

IAŞI The skills and courage needed to set up a business 16 Zona de Agrement Ciric - Complexul de Agrement Ciric, PO Box 700064, [email protected] Tel.: 0332 881 281, Fax: 0332 881 282 Initiatives from which communities can learn 19

TIMIŞOARA CHAPTER 3. PROCESSING 22 Bdul Take Ionescu, nr. 53, et. 2, biroul nr. 26, PO Box 300074, [email protected] Tel.: 0356 460 982, Fax: 0356 460 983 Eggs at European standards 22

TÂRGOVIŞTE A small winery, an annual turnover of 200 000 lei 25 Str. Vărzaru Armaşu, nr. 7A, PO Box 130169, usr.sud.@rndr.ro CHAPTER 4. NON-AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES 28 Tel.: 0345 100 025, Fax: 0345 100 605 Dental services in the rural area 28 BUCUREŞTI Str. Nicolae Filipescu, nr. 39-41, et. 6, Sector 2, PO Box 020961, [email protected] A successful project for encouraging the activity of microenterprises in the rural area 31 Tel.: 031 690 0214, Fax: 031 690 0215 A young man from thrives from the exploitation of a veterinary laboratory 33

PROJECTS FROM EUROPE 38

The text of this publication is only for information purposes and shall entail no legal liability. AUSTRIA and GERMANY. Recreational offers meant for families 40

Additional information on MARD and NSU may be accessed on the Internet at: www.madr.ro, www.rndr.ro. PORTUGAL. The success of a short production chain for olive oil 43

NSU, Publication Department SLOVENIA. Modernization, a vital necessity in a competitive environment 46 ISSN 2286-1742 ISSN-L 2286-1742 . Saddlery comes back in fashion 49 © NRDN, 2015

The texts of this publication may be reproduced only subject to the specification of the source. Printed in Romania.

Copyright photographs: the beneficiaries of the projects described in this publication and shutterstock.com Copyright cover photographs: shutterstock.com

1 FOREWORD Educating and training farmers through local action groups (farmers, SMEs), farmer associations The direct beneficiaries of the classes and NGOs founded in the rural area of were persons from the entire area of the Human capital is considerably transformation and modernization of the LAG and it highlighted certain Transylvanian Someș LAG, working in important for the rural development. rural economy. efficient and sustainable agricultural the forestry, apiculture, food industry, Rural development and the activities. farming and husbandry fields. Due to diversification of rural economy Such a project was “Training the organizing these classes, 273 farmers depend on the education level, on the farmers in the Transylvanian Someș Professional training classes were were trained, 209 of which were young knowledge and qualification of the LAG” implemented by Civitas organized in Apahida, Bonțida, Jucu, Sic people with ages under 40. The participants to these processes. Foundation for the Civil Society – Cluj and Cornești communes, during the attending farmers were selected from Although improving and maintaining Branch, in partnership with the period between the 20th of January and the area of the Transylvanian Someș, an adequate ground infrastructure is University of Agricultural Sciences and the 24th of February 2014. They included respectively from the Apahida, Aluniș, an important element in the Veterinary Medicine in Cluj-Napoca, and the following modules: Bonțida, Bobâlna, Borșa, Cornești, social-economic progress of the rural this project aimed to improve the • Project management Dăbâca, Iclod, Jucu, Mintiu Gherlii, area, professional training represents knowledge of the target group regarding • Financial management Recea-Cristur, Sic, Vultureni and the “engine” for a good development. the efficient and durable agriculture, the • Marketing methods Gârbou localities (from Sălaj County), local development and the LEADER • Environment protection and they all received participation In this context, NRDP 2007-2013 approach. • Agriculture and ecological products certificates. The project implemented by supported through Measure 111 and • Processing ecological products the Transylvanian Someș was awarded Measure 41.111, projects and actions The project was structured in two • Operation management the winner of 3rd Prize at the section for the professional education and stages: an informing stage, followed by • Apiculture “The European Shuman in Iocan’s training of farmers, for the purpose of a professional training one. The • Vegetable farming Glade”, of the Structural Funds Gala, improving the competitiveness of informing stage was destined for public • Forestry which took place in Cluj-Napoca on the farms and facilitating the beneficiaries, private beneficiaries • New ways for valuing local resources. 15th of December 2014.

2 3 4 5 PROJECTS FROM ROMANIA

LEGEND:

The areas from which the examples of good practices have been selected are presented in the following pages

6 7 CHAPTER 1. LOCAL ACTION GROUPS The Center for Rural Development in Giurgiu LAG. Focus on the prosperity of villages Given the diversity of the rural capacity, for preserving the cultural areas, as LEADER experience patrimony and for developing the accumulated it was reached at the economic environment in the rural conclusion that the development area. strategies are more productive if they are decided locally, depending of the The area covered by the Center for needs of the territory. Rural Development Giurgiu LAG includes 12 localities, 11 in the The Center for Rural Development South-West and in the center of in Giurgiu LAG and his Giurgiu County and one in representatives tried, over the years, . The localities in to discover the main defining traits Giurgiu cover 94% of the land and of the territory. Thus, they performed the one in Teleorman is 6% of the studies of the area, and the results of total area. The total area of the LAG those studies highlighted the specific hosts 40 293 inhabitants spread on advantages of the area – namely the 982.16 m². The area population arable lands which are favorable for density is 41.02 inhabitants/m², agriculture and the richness of the which is much under the national cultural and natural patrimony of the average stating 90 inhabitants/m². area on one hand, and also the economic, social and demographic The land covered by the Center for issues on the other hand. Rural Development Giurgiu LAG is homogenous from a social This LAG came into being after the perspective and it is characterized by Local Development Strategy (LDS) traditions, local identity, joint needs was approved by the Ministry of and expectations. Considering all programs and actions for informing The Center for Rural Agriculture and Rural Development these, six priorities on land and distributing knowledge and Development Giurgiu LAG – and the funds for its foundation development were set and all the encouraging non-agricultural successful projects amounting to 2 415 000 Euro were actions of the group are focused activities. granted. around these. The priorities are: Project title: Modernizing the developing the area by valuing its Based on these priorities and on the farming exploitation of Birlan The purpose of the association is farming potential, adding value to four Measures (121, 312, 313 and 322) Mihaela Self-Employed Person to promote the public-private agricultural and forestry products included in the LDS, 12 selection calls Project financed through the partnership in an associative (due to the location of the group in were launched in the LAG. By means Measure 121 – “Modernizing structure, stimulating thus the the vicinity of certain very important of these selection calls, 25 projects agricultural companies” sustainable development of the land urban centers, like and were contracted, having a public total Beneficiary: Self-employed Person and giving the possibility to the Giurgiu), valuing the natural and value of 1 863 617 Euro. Birlan Mihaela participants of the rural cultural potential and developing Project location: Stănești commune, environment, representatives of tourism, strengthening public We further present two projects of Giurgiu County various activity fields, to work services offered to citizens (social, the Center for Rural Development together and interact for cultural, educational, sanitary), Giurgiu LAG, in order to highlight The beneficiary of this project has strengthening the development supporting professional training their replicating factor. approximately 102.60 hectares of land

8 9 across localities Stănești and Izvoarele, they can perform works at a higher maintenance services, as they are not two modules, a washing unit will be leased for a period of 10 years. At the quality, leading to lowering the used exclusively by persons with purchase, a hairdressing chair along time of filing the financing operation costs by approximately 10% financial possibilities or for solving with a professional hairdressing application, only the 101.58 hectares to all work categories where they will certain problems, yet investigations helmet, a barbershop chair, a hydro were considered, whereas the rest of be used, aside from increasing the are made for beauty and preventive massage small tub, a sterilizer and a the area is covered with peas and average production by 3% per hectare. maintenance purposes as well as for set for manicure/pedicure, a lamp grapevine, cultures which have no improving the general and comfort magnifying glass, a cosmetic combine need for mechanized harvesting. The implementation of the project level. (for the cosmetic treatment), a PL will offer the beneficiary the Smart equipment (for treating acne The agricultural company led by the possibility to enter direct competition Considering the aspects stated, and for definitive hair removal), a beneficiary did not own mechanized with agricultural producers of the with the help of the 128 571 Euro Cyro RF (for toning and maintaining high performance machinery, whereas , operating according (90 000 Euro being the public grant), the skin of the face), a Vela Shape (for this is one of the highest priorities for to an agricultural system at a high the beneficiary aims to found a beauty muscular toning through vacuum), a the national agriculture currently, mechanization and efficiency levels salon, equipped according to the latest Photogene system (for facial lifting allowing it to adapt to the new and being able to support production standards in the field, in order to offer effect treatments), a Body Renew European standards and ensure the on the market because in lack of the high quality services related to the machine (for strengthening tissues) development of the activity under the protection offered by customs taxes, recovery, maintenance, regeneration, and an Eximia machine (for best conditions. Using state of art Romanian producers must have the and elimination of the effects of destroying cellulite and for improving technologies based on high power and lowest production prices possible. surgical interventions. the aspect of the skin). productivity machinery, the perfect conditions are created for lowering the Project title: Founding a beauty The project contains a series of The project will lead to the creation negative action of the natural factors salon in Călugăreni commune, objectives, and the first objectives are of four jobs, using the labor force in over agriculture and transforming it in Giurgiu County arranging the salon (so that it is the area and it will improve and into a profitable activity for the Project financed through the Measure attractive for clients) and acquiring develop the local infrastructure, in farming producers in Romania. 312 – “Support for creating and equipments (special furniture and order for the building where the salon developing microenterprises” tools) for its proper use, and these is arranged will be used efficiently. Out of the need for eliminating Beneficiary: SC Aqua Trading Impex objectives are subscribed to the main malfunctions appeared in the SRL goals of Measure 312: creating and The Center for Rural Development provision of the agricultural Project location: Călugăreni diversifying the services provided by Giurgiu LAG continues to act for the equipment needed for performing the commune, Giurgiu County microenterprises for the rural purposes aimed for, insisting on the activity, the beneficiary aims that with population, raising the potential of the main investment sectors which the help of the 188 500 Euro (50% The necessity and the opportunity area and creating the opportunity of continue to be agricultural companies, being the public grant), he will be able of this project lead from the beauty combining local requirements with valuing the products obtained locally, to purchase high performance services internal market demand the requirements of the project, in creating small rural enterprises and agricultural machinery needed for which is higher than the offer, but also order to found an activity which is renovating and developing villages. modernizing and streamlining the from the potential market. The advantageous both for the investor production activity to a higher quality. maintenance and beauty units are and for the local rural population. Contact details: Thus, he will purchase an agricultural expanding and modernizing The Center for Rural Development combine with a carriage for continuously in our area, including in The salon will be formed of two Giurgiu Local Action Group transporting headers, a header for the small localities, with a population modules, one using classical practices Izvoarele village, Izvoarele commune, straw products and equipment for having average material possibilities. (various cosmetic and hair care Giurgiu County harvesting corn and sunflower. An important factor is also the fact treatments) and one offering a range President: Nan Tiberiu Genu that Romania’s population is under of weight loss procedures (by Tel.: 0766525952 These agricultural machines the process of changing its mentality electrotherapy, hyperthermia and E-mail: [email protected] operate on modern technologies and in relation to approaching radiofrequency). For equipping these Website: www.galcdrg.ro

10 11 Valea Someșului LAG. Achieving local development by uniting forces Located on the Someș Valley and The first priority is based on the including the North-East part of existing landscape and capacities Sălaj County, the area of the Valea and on the experience in the field, Someșului LAG has a peripheral whereas the second one is based on geographical position, whereas the belief that the sustainable certain components were even development of a land requires to isolated. Human settlements are great extent the environment placed exclusively on valleys, protection, and the third is focused tending to extend or spread to on the development of the services lowlands. All the 12 joint and facilities offered to citizens by components of the Valea Someșului the public sector, and it was strictly LAG are marked by a decrease of the related on the economic growth of population, as a result of the the land. negative migrating balance. Considering these priorities and The population of the communes the stringent needs shown in the varies from 1 177 to 4 026 people, Valea Someșului LAG, through the adding up for the entire area to 24 491 National Rural Development inhabitants. The density is of 34 Programme 2007-2013, 95 projects inhabitants/m². Out of all the were contracted having a total value population in the area, only 7 310 of 2 289 386 Euro. people fit the category of the active important products. The buyers system for growing battery laying persons: 3 624 work in the farming Valea Someșului LAG – prefer Romanian products and this eggs (with the length of the cage of sector, 1 585 form a part of the successful projects comes to the advantage of local at least 3 360 mm, a width of at industrial and handcraft sectors, 341 producers. least 3 036 mm and a battery height operate in the trading sector, and 1 476 Project title: Developing the farm of at least 3 100 mm). work in the services sector. of SC MMD Import Export SRL, In the context of husbandry Ileanda commune, Sălaj County development in Romania, the Project title: Purchase of Starting from the development Project financed through the project contracted by SC MMD agricultural machinery for scenario of the area which includes Measure 112 – “Installing young Import Export SRL aims to achieve service providing the farming, forestry and non-farming farmers” two objectives. The first states the Project financed through the sectors and which is completed by the Beneficiary: SC MMD Import Export growth of the company’s production Measure 312 – “Support for benefits which tourism development SRL by increasing the number of birds by creating and developing could bring to its land, the following Project location: Ileanda commune, 12 000 animals and performing an microenterprises” priorities related to local projects were Sălaj County investment for facilitating and Beneficiary: SC Napoca Agro set: streamlining the work of the farmer. Utilaje SRL • The economic development and an The zootechnics sector is an The second one aims to grow the Project location: Ileanda commune, increase in the competitiveness of important branch of the Romanian volume of the products traded and of Sălaj County the farming and forestry sectors; agriculture. Breeding animals is a the incomes obtained in the • Improving the quality of the profitable business because, during company. In Romania, economic functions environment; the last few years, a growth of the of the rural areas depend almost • Raising the quality of life in the meat, dairy and egg consumption In order to achieve the two completely on the existence of rural area and promoting the was found. Additionally, there is a objectives, the beneficiary is to agricultural activities. Currently, diversification of economic higher and higher request for local purchase by means of the grant there are many small vegetal farms activities. products and a lower request for the amounting to 40 000 Euro, a and many natural persons which

12 13 Project title: Building and the investment aimed, including a arranging guesthouse for house, annexes, 0.33 hectares of tourism purposes “House of agricultural land (0.30 hectares of Honey” arable land and 0.03 hectares of Project financed through the family garden) and 10 bee families. Measure 313 – “Encouraging tourism related activities” By implementing this project, the Beneficiary: Cozma Valer-Dorin beneficiary will combine household Project location: Rus commune, activities, especially apiculture, with Sălaj County the touristic ones.

Agritourism is an activity In order to provide a part of the practiced by the members of an food to tourists, he will use his own agricultural household and it household, which will be able to requires the combining of offer the tourists milk and dairy agricultural activities with tourism products, pork meat and pork food related ones which are possible products, as well as eggs and honey. inside of this household. Aside from the fact that they will be able to consume natural products This activity resides in offering from the household of Mr. accommodation and partially Valer-Dorin Cozma, tourists will providing the food from the have the opportunity of assisting to products obtained in the household. the activities related to animal don’t have the machines needed to From this reality SC Napoca Agro This is also an additional solution breeding. efficiently cultivate the lands so that Utilaje SRL was also founded, for supplementing incomes from whether the yield of their cultures is whereas such an investment was agriculture with positive economic Valea Someșului LAG continues to low, or the lands remain unused for adequate both for the company and and social effects. grant importance to the objectives work. for the area it operates in. upon developing the economy of the Knowing all these, Valer-Dorin entire land, improving the quality of Although the European programs By means of the project Cozma aims to make an investment life, durable local development and aim to form big, animal or mixed contracted by Measure 312, the in Rus commune by means of a supporting cooperation, continuing farms, there are numerous small beneficiary aimed to develop his project amounting to 44 594 Euro. to remain loyal to the motto subsistence or semi-subsistence company by creating the material The investment will be materialized according to which it performs its farms which have no possibility of grounds needed to develop the by building, arranging and equipping activity: “Together we are stronger”. purchasing machinery or for which current activity of renting an agritourism guesthouse. the purchase of the above agricultural machinery destined to Contact details: mentioned is not profitable in the mechanization services in At the time of filing the financing Valea Someșului Local Action Group least. agriculture. application, the beneficiary held an 35, 1 December 1918 Street, Ileanda agricultural exploitation composed commune, Sălaj County In this context, the existence of In order to reach this objective, of 2.23 hectares of arable land and President: Ilieș Remus-Ionuț companies making modern with the help of the 124 700 Euro 0.14 hectares of family garden, aside Tel.: 0784845841 machinery available for farmers, in contracted by the project, four from a milk cow, five swine, 40 birds E-mail: order to achieve high performance machines will be purchased: a tractor and 130 bee families. Also, he had [email protected] agricultural works, ensuring a high of 120-140 HP, two of 65-80 HP and just achieved another property Website: productivity of the lands. a reversible plow. which actually formed the object of www.galvaleasomesului.ro

14 15 CHAPTER 2. FARMS The skills and courage needed to set up a business In the implementation of her plan, the first step was developing her own vegetable farm and the Measure for Project title: Installing the young farmer Vlad Mihaela as chief of the farming installing young farmers within the company National Rural Development Project financed through the Axis 1 of the National Rural Development Programme, Programme applied perfectly to her Measure 112 – “Installing young farmers” needs, supporting her with the Beneficiary: Vlad (Ioniţă) Mihaela - Individual Enterprise Project location: Vişani commune, Brăila County maximum admissible amount: 40 000 Development region: South-East Euro. With the help of a consultant, Implementation period: 6 June 2013 – 28 April 2014 the beneficiary submitted the project Total budget: 40 000 Euro in the session held in June 2012, and Grant: 40 000 Euro after one year in June 2013, signed the Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 0 Euro financing contract and received the Subjects: valuing the agricultural potential and/or growing the productivity of first partial amount of 24 000 Euro vegetable farms, growing the competitiveness in the farming and forestry sectors (60% of the total amount).

Young Mihaela Vlad (Ioniţă, after graduated, she shaped a strategy for The area where the young farmer was getting married), graduate of the developing her own business: on the installed is in a vegetable basin with University of Science and Food short and medium terms she would tradition in Brăila County, but which is Engineering within Dunărea de Jos found a vegetable farm and on the long insufficiently valued due to the University in Galați, had experience in term, she would develop a vegetable population aging process. Considering cultivating vegetables, working at her capacity production by preserving the also the flow of the vegetable and fruit parents’ farm. Considering the studies products in the farm. consumption oriented towards the local and natural fruit and vegetables, the young woman decided to develop a vegetable farm in the area of Vişani commune, where she also found a farming land for sale.

By this project, the beneficiary targeted improving and growing the competitiveness of the founded farming company, as well as supporting the modernization process, according to the requirements for the environment protection and for hygiene, and growing the incomes of the company.

At the time of submitting the financing application, the beneficiary owned 4.70 hectares of land, on which she was going to plant eggplant, tomato and bell pepper cultures. By means of this project, the entire amount of the budget was used for purchasing another

16 17 Initiatives from which communities can learn 8 hectares of farming land, whereas the of the company by approximately 5 ESU machines needed were purchased out of until the third year starting from his Project title: Semi-subsistence farm of the Self-employed Person Bindea Valeria, the beneficiary’s own funds. implementation. Nimigea commune, Bistriţa-Năsăud County Project financed through the Axis 1 of the National Rural Development Programme, Measure 141 – “Supporting agricultural semi-subsistence farms” The performance indicator for the In the middle of the harvesting Beneficiary: Self-employed Person Bindea Valeria activity targeted was overcome. At this season or for the seedlings planting Project location: Floreşti village, Nimigea commune, Bistriţa-Năsăud County time, the farmer owns 13.66 hectares, activity, day workers from Vişani Development region: North-West with the following culture structure commune are used. The production is Implementation period: 2010 – 2014 which allows their proper rotation: 1 put out on the market by means of Total budget: 7 500 Euro hectare with tomatoes, 1.30 hectares vegetable intermediaries. Grant: 7 500 Euro with eggplants, 3 hectares with bell Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): not applicable peppers, 0.50 hectares with By implementing this project, the Subjects: valuing the farming potential and/or growing the productivity for watermelons, 2.50 hectares with wheat, beneficiary also performs social agricultural farms, growing the competitiveness in the farming and forestry sectors 2.50 hectares with corn and the rest responsibility actions. In this regard, on with sunflower. the areas cultivated with sunflower and At the level of the local market, process according to the requirements corn, the villagers are free to collect there is a growth in the local food on environment protection, the The impact of the project is given by everything that is left after the products consumption, to the hygiene and wellness of the crops. the growth of the economic dimension harvesting process. disadvantage of the imported ones and there is an increase of the demand for vegetable products.

Considering this aspect, the beneficiary elaborated a project for valuing an entire series of economic and social needs and opportunities with favorable effects for the development of local economy and for growing the incomes received at the local budget.

In order to perform all the technological stages of the company in good conditions and in order to avoid additional costs with renting machinery, Mrs. Bindea requested non-repayable financial support for equipping the areas she owned and where she had planted vegetables in greenhouses and on the fields, with irrigation systems.

The general objective of the project was improving and growing the competitiveness of the farming sector by supporting the modernization

18 19 • Lowering the production costs, The support granted to the performing works with its own beneficiary had the purpose of securing resources and renouncing the the incomes needed during the period service providing of third parties; of restructuring and transforming the • Growing the quality of the works by farm into a farming company oriented using modern machinery and towards the market system, by the technologies. sustainable use of the production factors, by the management Implementing the purchase project improvement, the growth and of the irrigation system had a major diversification of agricultural impact firstly on the vegetable farm production and by the introduction of owned by the beneficiary. It has though high performance technologies, a positive influence also on consumers, optimally adapted according to local due to the fact that the beneficiary conditions. trades the vegetables obtained on the markets in Bistriţa-Năsăud County, and The project from Bistrița-Năsăud outside this county. County is a good practice for the local community because it allows learning At this time, the farm does not have starting from the results and permanent employees, but it uses experiences of the beneficiary, seasonal workers during the vegetable contributing thus to the constant seeding and harvesting periods. emergence of new ideas.

The specific objectives were amendments which led to productivity materialized in modernizing the growth and to the expansion and farming company and growing the size modernization of the company. of its incomes until the third implementation year. The profitability of the project’s implementation is reflected in: The measures taken by the • Growing the productivity and beneficiary during the implementation lowering the work time by going period have targeted a series of from manual to mechanized works;

20 21 CHAPTER 3. PROCESSING Eggs at European standards

Project title: Equipment purchase within SC Haditon Group SRL, Bârla locality, Argeş County Project financed through the Axis LEADER of the National Rural Development Programme, Measure 411.123 – “Adding value to farming and forestry products” Beneficiary: SC Haditon Group SRL Project location: Malu village, Bârla commune, Argeş County Development region: South Muntenia Implementation period: 17 October 2013 – 29 September 2014 Total budget: 157 850 Euro Grant: 78 925 Euro Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 78 925 Euro Subjects: processing and marketing of food products, growing competitiveness in the farming and forestry sectors

SC Haditon Group SRL was founded through the National Rural estimations upon the activity of the and breeding chicken, then the in 2000 and its main activity field is Development Programme, which company after the implementation of letters of the country of origin the production of consumption eggs supported this type of activities. the project. SC Haditon Group SRL where the eggs were produced (RO, and breeding broilers and young dealt with obtaining all the for Romania), where two letters chicken for replacement. The application file was elaborated documents needed: environment and show the country code and three during the period March-April 2013, sanitary-veterinary approvals, guiding numbers represent the producer’s Being a company under continuous and the project was afterwards price offers etc. code, and on the second row the development, by purchasing cars and submitted for verification at the validity deadline code is written. equipment which support productivity Găvanu Burdea LAG and it was signed The purpose of the project was • A system for packing egg cartons growth, by starting to use high in October 2013. modernizing the activity of the in heat shrinkable foil, in order to performance technologies and by company by purchasing high make them more resistant and in complying with the European Union “Our company communicated very performance equipment for taking, order to avoid spreading the eggs standards, and with the sanitary well with the representatives of packing and marking the eggs and for at the time when they are handled; veterinary regulations, the beneficiary Găvanu Burdea LAG, who supported handling and delivering egg cartons, • A packing device which is took advantage of the opportunity us with information upon the all of them leading to the productivity semiautomatic, with a foil for given by Găvanu Burdea LAG, by application procedure and who growth and to the efficient use of the pallets, allowing their easy accessing Measure 123 financed encouraged us in starting and work force. handling; implementing the project”, the beneficiary stated, content with the The main activities of the project fact that the entire process ran with no have materialized in purchasing the problems. following equipment: • A forklift for taking the eggs from During the process of implementing the transport lane to the sorting the project, the company requested machine, replacing as such an the services of a consulting company activity which was performed which performed the documentation manually during a long period of afferent to submitting the financing time; application file, it set up the objectives • An egg marking (coding) system and investments of the project based according to the legal regulations, on the information provided by the whereas the top row lists the first beneficiary and performed number, the method for feeding

22 23 A small winery, an annual turnover of 200 000 lei • A forklift for handling the egg regarded from a general perspective cartons in the storage and for over this situation in the farming and Project title: Purchase of equipment and machines for winemaking loading/unloading egg pallets; food sector in Romania, showing the Project financed through the Axis 1 of the National Rural Development Programme, • An isotherm vehicle with needs for restructuring and Measure 123 – “Adding value to farming and forestry products” refrigeration for transporting the revitalizing the economy in this field. Beneficiary: SC Casa de Vinuri Podgoria SRL Project location: Podgoria commune, Buzău County eggs packed at their distribution The investment was also made due to Development region: South-East place. the wish of the beneficiary of becoming Implementation period: 9 April 2013 – 21 March 2014 more competitive on the market. Total budget: 917 800 lei The investment was based on the Grant: 458 900 lei need to adapt the processing and Locally and regionally, the project Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 458 900 lei distribution of eggs to the contributed to maintaining the work Subjects: valuing the farming potential and/or growing the productivity of requirements of the end consumer, in places in the rural environment, to agricultural farms compliance with the sanitary improving the work conditions for veterinary enforced regulations. The employees and growing the cashings at The company Casa de Vinuri succeed on the market before more necessity of this investment can be the local budget. Podgoria SRL was founded in 2008, than 1 800 grapevine owners, by high whereas the main activity according quality products. to NACE 1102 is “Producing grape wines”. Considering that one of the The beneficiary confesses that at main occupations of the inhabitants the beginning, he was not confident residing in Podgoria (Buzău) is in the chances of the accessing viticulture, the company needed to European funds, even if he

24 25 The results of the project can be hectares of new grapevine are going to seen in the growth of the products’ be cultivated, and this will also allow value, complying with the food quality the trade of Fetească Neagră and conditions, meeting the market Fetească Regală. requirements and raising the productivity of the human resources According to the, if you don’t have used for the investment. a name which is renowned on the market, it is very hard to enter the The wine assortments produced by big retailer chains. As a small the beneficiary unit are Sauvignon producer, Casa de Vinuri Podgoria Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet and Muscat managed to win the customers of Ottonel, whereas in the future, 10 Râmnicu Sărat.

negotiated with the consulting processing companies, and of the company which helped him in the wood processing companies, by elaboration of the project that the improving their general performance fee’s payment will be done after with a better use of human resources receiving the financing. and production factors. On the same note, a target of the project was to Yet, out of the wish to maintain support the performance of an production quality, he resorted to investment which would support the non-repayable funds by means of adjacent rural area and developing Measure 123 and thus, with the local services development, for money obtained, he opened the ensuring the harmonious progress of micro-winery Casa de Vinuri the business. Podgoria, with a production capacity of 100 000 liters, which brought the With the help of the funds company a turnover of approximately obtained, a micro-winery was 200 000 lei, in the last few years. founded, a unit dealing with the wine making until the bottling stage, which The main objective of the project, was proven to be the saving solution answers to the general objective of for the problem related to finding the measure: growing the buyers for the grape production, competitiveness of the food traded for a pretty low price.

26 27 CHAPTER 4. NON-AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES Dental services in the rural area The funds needed for the proper Following the implementation of equipping of a medical unit were the project, the clinic was equipped provided by EAFRD grants, with a dental unit, an autoclave and Project title: Equipping the Individual Medical Clinic of Dr. Nicolae G. Cristina- completed with 30% of the doctor’s an apex locator. The dental unit is Elena, from the Ștefan cel Mare locality, in Argeș County with dental equipment own funds. equipped with the chair on which Project financed through the Axis 3 of the National Rural Development Programme, the patient shall seat, a lamp which Measure 312 – “Support for creating and developing microenterprises” The project submitted targeted lights at the time of the consultation Beneficiary: Individual Medical Clinic Dr. Nicolae G. Cristina-Elena Project location: Ștefan cel Mare commune, Argeș County equipping the clinic so as to provide and a work desk for the consultation Development region: South Muntenia access to high quality services for kit. This kit is formed of a mirror, a Implementation period: 8 December 2012 – 10 July 2013 the inhabitants of the Ștefan cel forceps, a spatula and a dental Total budget: 142 800 lei Mare commune and of the probe. The endodontic device (the Grant: 106 783 lei neighboring localities. apex locator) is equipped with a Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 36 017 lei Subjects: Developing and diversifying non-agricultural services in the rural area

Medical services are essential for inhabitants of the Argeș commune all inhabitants of Romania and the were compelled to go to this type of access to them contributes to an clinics in Pitești, 50 km away from increase in the quality of life, their locality. including the rural communities. Given the conditions, in 2011, the Until not long ago, Ștefan cel doctor Nicolae G. Cristina-Elena Mare locality did not have a dental decided to open a dental clinic in clinic. In this context, the this commune.

28 29 A successful project for encouraging the activity of microenterprises in the rural area screen allowing the view of the root After the implementation of this and of the tooth’s apex during the project, the clinic offers the Project title: Machinery purchase made by Sandu Larisa-Mărguța treatment period, and the autoclave following services: consultations Project financed through the Axis LEADER of the National Rural Development is useful for sterilizing the tools and therapy for the simple cavity, as Programme, Measure 411.312 – “Support for creating and developing microenterprises” used in the dental operations. well as for pulp cavity diseases, Beneficiary: Sandu Larisa-Mărguța apical periodontitis, diseases of the Project location: Sălcioara commune, Dâmbovița County The equipments purchased marginal periodontium, orodental Development region: South Muntenia through this project are the surgery and protein treatments. Implementation period: May 2013 – May 2014 minimum of the endowment for a Total budget: 53 650 Euro dental clinic and they are absolutely All these are equally important, Grant: 28 065 Euro indispensable for ensuring the given the fact that many dental Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 25 585 Euro operation of the clinic under optimal diseases can start without our Subjects: growing the quality of life in rural areas and diversifying rural economy conditions, according to the knowledge. Periodontitis for enforced legislation. At the same example is not shown by any Households and most of the the market of production factors for time, the project led to creating a job symptoms and this is why it is Romanian farming companies don’t tractors and machines in order to by hiring a medical assistant. called “the beautiful teeth disease”. have enough finances to equip provide mechanized services in themselves with the technology they agriculture. need so urgently. Also, the low level of technological equipment owned The project submitted through and the precarious physical state of Cornățelu Conțești Sălcioara LAG the machines require the creation of solves thus the problems stated

30 31 A young man from Hunedoara County thrives from the exploitation of a veterinary laboratory

above, developing mechanized additional incomes in the LAG is the services in agriculture, deficient general objective of the project. Project title: Creating services for artificial insemination services and grooming at local level, by purchasing a for the farm animals in Teliucu Inferior commune and in the surrounding areas Project financed through the Axis 3 of the National Rural Development Programme, tractor and a plow and by leasing By creating jobs in the rural area Measure 312 – “Support for creating and developing microenterprises” them to agents who work in the and by diversifying the services Beneficiary: Self-employed Person Chitic Ioan field of agriculture in the rural provided for the local population, Project location: Cinciș-Cerna village, Teliucu Inferior commune, Hunedoara County area. the specific objective of the project Development region: West was achieved and by creating a Implementation period: 2 April 2009 – 2 September 2010 The development of the microenterprise and encouraging Total budget: 173 084 lei beneficiary’s activity of providing the business initiative promoted Grant: 121 159 lei services in the rural area by especially by young people and Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 51 925 lei encouraging non-agricultural women, the operational objectives Subjects: diversification of the non-agricultural services in the rural area activities and by growing the were achieved. With an extensive experience in The young beneficiary of the project, growing and caring for animals, former graduate of sanitary school, Ioan Chitic, the beneficiary of became one of the most prosperous this project decided to request businessmen after he founded using non-repayable financial support non-repayable funds, the sole mobile in order to invest in the artificial artificial insemination and veterinary seeding and grooming services for treatment laboratory in Hunedoara farm animals. County. The motto of the beneficiary “Everything is possible”, the optimism, The necessity of the investment the courage and the will helped consisted of the fact that the him during the entire application services mentioned were weakly process of the project and then in the developed in Teliucu Inferior development of the activities proposed. commune and in the surrounding areas, whereas the inhabitants here The objectives forecast for were forced to call technicians from this project were focused on the considerably long distances, with diversification of the activities in an high traveling costs. area dominated by agriculture, by boosting the economic growth of Tradition and the conditions offered by the geographical area impose animal breeding as a main agricultural activity. Consequently, the demand for this type of auxiliary services is considerably high.

Due to the lack of qualified staff, some of these activities were performed by inhabitants with no adequate professional training, a fact which presented a high risk for accidents among animals.

32 33 the community, and by orienting it and certified by the Romanian Road the standards required by the enforced their health. Before this business is towards professional services and Authority was equipped with two legislation. developed, animals which had leg growing the efficiency in using local furniture pieces, a wooden floor, diseases were taken directly to the resources. a layer against slipping and edges, After implementing the project, slaughterhouse, when in fact they could electrical haircutting devices for sheep, the activity of the beneficiary was have been saved. The project’s main activity was pregnancy detectors, tools, retainer developed by performing artificial purchasing a mobile laboratory equipped systems, products destined for animal insemination at cattle and swine, by The success of the project was with tools which allow performing hygiene and tools for examining them. cutting the hair of sheep, by dehorning meant to determine other ambitious artificial seeding and grooming services calves, removing the sharp teeth young people to try and materialize as an outpatient department, at the The mobile laboratory is equipped of little pigs, the hooves hygiene in their ideas in local businesses. The domicile of the animal owner and at the with GPS in order to facilitate the horses, sheep, cattle and buffaloes. multiplication effect of the project farms in the area. work, considering the fairly wide area is present at the level of the local which needs to be covered. All the Animal hygiene is an indispensable community and it originates directly The mobile laboratory, especially purchases come from countries of the condition for the good maintenance in the principle we call “the power of designed by a company in Oradea European Union and they comply with of animals, with favorable effects on example”.

34 35 36 37 PROJECTS FROM EUROPE

LEGEND:

The states from which the examples of good practices have been selected are presented in the following pages

38 39 AUSTRIA AND GERMANY Recreational offers meant for families

Project title: Fantastic for families - from Burgenland to Saxony Project financed through the Axis LEADER, Measure 421 – “Implementing cooperation projects” Beneficiary: Partnership between “The Association for culture and assimilating knowledge in the Forchtenstein Fantastic Castle” and in the Lommatzscher Pflege LAG Project location: Forchtenstein (Burgenland, Austria), Triebischtal (Sachsen, Germany) Development region: Burgenland (Austria) și Saxony (Germany) Implementation period: 4 December 2010 – 31 December 2014 Total budget: 2 163 840 Euro Grant: 1 783 920 Euro Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 379 920 Euro Subjects: cooperation and experience exchange for the development of rural communities

This transnational project principle of equal opportunities), promotes the development in supporting future hiring and raising partnership and expanding local the level of the added value. services offered to families and Additionally, the program of children, participating thus to the transnational Austro-German revitalization and strengthening of cooperation grants an increased the partner regions Burgenland attention to the ecological conditions (Austria) and Saxony (Germany). and to the resources of both regions.

The Local Action Groups and the The mutual visits performed in organizers of the project targeted December 2010 and June 2011 in the facilitating the experience and regional historical places supported Forchtenstein Festival and Chestnut which already existed on the market. information exchange, the the knowledge and experience Festival), which included scenes Both partner regions have expressed collaboration development and exchange regarding medieval theme with knights, presenting stories, their appreciation for the expanding local recreational events. Since then, partners developing a mutual dictionary of development of the project and for services for the families living in the collaborated closely to integrate the Burgenland/Saxony regions and the results obtained. two regions. Also, the project aimed recreational offers reprogrammed creating a mutual mascot for to develop marketing activities, to for the year of 2012 (The open day advertising. Considering the high budget, create jobs (complying with the for Triebischtal mills, the “Fantastic for families” was the first According to the project’s motto major transnational collaboration “Optimize similarities and take project implemented under the advantage of the differences” the auspices of LEADER in the lands of partners valued the shared Burgenland and Saxony. experience accumulated for the continuous refining of the services The authorities which approved it offered. In the final implementation and which have monitored this period, the partnership has project have expected for the project intensified and it has expanded its to represent a constant learning activity in order to develop concepts process, while its results from which can complete and diversify grounds for future transnational the offer for recreational activities cooperation plans.

40 41 PORTUGAL The success of a short production chain for olive oil

Project title: Fio Dourado – A commitment to high quality olive oil Project financed through the Axis 1, Measures 121 – “Modernizing agricultural companies” and 123 – “Adding value to farming products” Beneficiary: Fio Dourado Ltd. Project location: Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Santarém Development region: Lisbon and Tagus Valley Implementation period: 18 February 2010 – 31 December 2011 Total budget: 2 556 350 Euro Grant: 1 025 013 Euro Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 1 531 337 Euro Subjects: competitiveness in agriculture and forestry, restructuring and developing physical potential and promoting innovation

Fio Dourado Ltd is a renowned • Growing the oil production from high quality extra virgin olive the olive sorts Arbequina și oil operating in association with Arbosana; a group of olive cultivators (The • Complying with food hygiene Farming House Antunes Barroso) standard imposed at the level of and a marketing company (Lagar the European Union; Master), in managing the entire • Obtaining added value for the production and processing chain, extra virgin olive oil, in order to from the management of the olive answer the market demands; tree orchard to the pressing action, • Promoting the overall quality of to the cold extraction, as well as to the product. the storage, packing and trading olive oil and related products. The benchmark inventions included panting over 500 hectares The purpose of the project was of olive trees, purchasing machinery to modernize production and for 21 olive cultivators, adapting the processing systems using new existing buildings and constructions technologies which could allow: to the newly created situation,

42 43 installing a new extraction line, purchasing equipment and building facilities for using byproducts and for managing wastewater and installing equipments for dosing, filtering and packing olive oil. At the same time, the employees of the processing unit benefitted from training related to ensuring quality standards.

By means of this investment, it was possible to grow the high quality olive oil production (bulk and/or packed, with a good price, compared to the average market price), processing olive residue, selling them locally as energy producing biomass and facilitating waste recycling, especially the olive seeds, which are the fuel used for heating the water in the processing unit.

After the production process, wastewater was used as a fertilizer rich in potassium, for the olive plantations.

The project was quite complex and it needed the coordination of the funds from two EAFRD measures, 121 and 123. They were accessed in order to ensure the fact that no discrepancies will exist, so that the production growth will be synchronized with the processing capacity.

Currently, doctors and nutritionists consider that olive oil, especially the extra virgin one, contains important nutritional properties extremely good for maintaining the organism healthy.

44 45 SLOVENIA Modernization, a vital necessity in a competitive environment

Project title: Enhancing fruit sorting and packaging Project financed through the Axis 1 of the National Rural Development Programme, Measure 123 – “Adding value to farming and forestry products” Beneficiary: Evrosad d.o.o. Krško Project location: Cesta commune, Krško City, Slovenia Development region: Spodnjeposavska Implementation period: 1 January 2010 – 31 January 2010 Total budget: 4 396 320 Euro Grant: 1 771 943 Euro Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 2 624 377 Euro Subjects: processing and marketing of agrifood products

From a transition enterprise to a Placed in the South-East of successful story: a Slovenian unit for Slovenia, in an area with tradition in sorting and packing fruit was cultivating fruit, Evrosad d.o.o. modernized with EAFRD financing. Krško forms a part of a group of This project is the story of an companies specialized in cultivating, important regional producer, sorting, packing and trading fruit. respectively of a company providing Being founded in 1996, the company one third of the fruit in Slovenia. aimed to enter a modernization

process, in order to provide high The technological lines purchased quality services compliant with are completely automated and they international standards. perform the following operations on “Modernizing the center for sorting fruit: washing, brushing, treating, and packing was absolutely vital in drying, sorting, weighing, packing order to keep being competitive and and labeling. The MAF RODA line in order to face the pressure on the installed by means of this project market in the current economic sorts fruit based on color, length and context, and the non-repayable weight, whereas each fruit is financing obtained by means of photographed 20 times from all EAFRD played a crucial part in angles. Packing the fruit is done by ensuring the funds needed for the means of five specialized lines, with a investments proposed”, Boštjan capacity of 10 t/hour. In order to Kozole, the manager of the company ensure the good development of stated. activities, a “cold room” was arranged where fruit stocks are stored. By this project, the buildings of the unit were renovated, specialized and These investments contributed to modern equipments and machinery the growth of the company’s were purchased, the employees were production capacity and to the trained and jobs were created. expansion of the trade market at

46 47 BULGARIA Saddlery comes back in fashion

Project title: Reconstruction of the outbuildings for saddlery workshop and guest house: “At the Saddler’s” Project financed through the Axis LEADER, Measure 413 – “Quality of live and diversification of rural economy” Beneficiary: Hristo Hristov Petkov Project location: Aprilți Municipality Development region: Loveci Province Implementation period: 10 July 2013 – 9 July 2014 Total budget: 51 000 Euro Grant: 18 930 Euro Co-financing (beneficiary’s contribution): 32 070 Euro Subjects: implementing local development strategies, developing the business environment and tourism

The Bulgarian project in Loveci The implementation area of province consisted of modernizing the project is in the vicinity of the buildings annexed to a saddler the highest area of Stara Planina workshop and building a guest Mountains and it contains important chamber, with the purpose of natural objectives and impressive improving the business environment landscapes. The region is rich in and tourism in the area. high interest cultural areas, with

international level. Based on the have grown, reaching approximately modernization process, the company seven million Euro, with an annual created 27 jobs and signed profit of approximately 200 000 collaboration contracts with 58 Euro. producers from neighboring localities, ensuring the harvesting of Additionally, growing the number fruit from 100 hectares. This way, the of jobs to 137 employees and refurbishment of the unit contributed integrating local fruit producers into to the economic development of the the production circuit has area. contributed to the progress of regional economy and to the This project is successful and the productivity of the farming sector. modernized unit plays the part of an “engine” which engages the social Today, the modernized unit economic development of Krško ensures 35 000 tonnes of fruit area. annually, 70% of which are traded on the squares in Great Britain, Serbia, After implementing the project, Russia, Romania, the Scandinavian the annual incomes of the company Countries and the Middle East.

48 49 numerous convents and museums, The general objective of the The main works performed handmade products can be used for having a strong tradition in the field project has focused on promoting within the project were building organizing exhibitions displaying of agriculture and in the production the touristic potential of the area and arranging a guest chamber, objects created manually, with of handmade objects, holding a by diversifying the services offered, renovating and equipping it with demonstrations of the work highly developed transport and by keeping the local handmade the needed equipment, in order methods, offering tourists the communication infrastructure. traditions and raising the level of to use it as a workshop for saddler occasion of practicing together with the accommodation availabilities. products. The guest chamber “At employees. Specialized in manufacturing the Saddler’s” is a low dimension leathers, especially saddler products, The specific objectives consisted chamber, having an accommodation The activities performed by the beneficiary decided to implement of growing the production and sales capacity for four persons at most. the beneficiary by means of this a project with the support of of saddler objects and improving project had the purpose of growing Troian-Aprilți LAG, with the purpose the viability of the business by As recreational methods, the production and sales in the of expanding his business and adding a work space, a guest unit disposes of a barbecue area saddlery, contributing at the same contribute at the same time to the chamber and offering recreational and it organizes riding trips on time to promoting traditions and economic development of the region. activities. short routes. The workshop for local touristic objectives.

50 51 52 Open to the Future

The Roots of Europe

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This material was drafted by the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, within the project “Setting up and supporting the National Rural Development Network”. Project co-financed through EAFRD, Measure 511 from NRDP 2007 - 2013. 2015 The content of this material does not necessarily reflect the official position of European Union. Free copy.