The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has updated the procedure for providing grants for the development of horticulture, berry growing, viticulture, greenhouse farming, as well as the construction of vegetable and fruit storage facilities. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economy, writes UNN.
Details
The changes are aimed at increasing the effectiveness of state support for businesses, ensuring transparent use of funds, and bringing grant programs closer to EU standards within the framework of the Ukraine Facility.
The document provides for a number of innovations:
- mandatory verification of funding recipients is introduced in accordance with the requirements of the Framework Agreement between Ukraine and the EU;
- grant recipients are obliged to inform about the source of funding using the EU emblem and the label "funded by the European Union – Ukraine Facility";
- a ban on providing grants to entities under EU sanctions is established.
At the same time, opportunities for agricultural producers have been expanded. In particular, a gradation of storage capacity has been introduced, which allows small farms to attract funding, and the list of regions suitable for almond cultivation has been expanded.
Grants will be provided exclusively for the new construction of vegetable and fruit storage facilities on land plots. The minimum capacity of the facilities is from 500 tons of simultaneous storage.
The maximum grant amount is up to UAH 20 million and depends on the capacity:
- from 500 tons – up to UAH 4 million;
- from 1500 tons – up to UAH 7 million;
- from 3000 tons – up to UAH 10 million;
- from 6000 tons – up to UAH 20 million.
Requirements for job creation have also been established: for storage facilities from 500 tons – at least 6 permanent employees, from 1500 tons – at least 8, over 3000 tons – at least 12, over 6000 tons – at least 16 employees.
Additionally, the directions for using grants have been clarified and control over expenditures has been strengthened: mandatory expert examination of the estimated part of projects is introduced, as well as additional supervision over the cost of equipment and materials.