The Ministry of Agriculture and Food grants 11.7 million euros for afforestation and restoration of forest areas.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Lozana Vasileva announced that at the end of last year a working group with wide representation was created, whose main goal is to maximize the use of the instruments of the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas in support of the forest sector. As a result of the group's activities, a successful first call has already been held under the intervention to reduce the loss of biodiversity and protect forest habitats. By the end of the month, a call is expected to be announced for the "Afforestation and Restoration" intervention from the Strategic Plan, with a planned budget of 11.7 million euros for this purpose.

Deputy Minister Vasileva explains that a wide range of applicants will be able to benefit from the financial assistance - individuals, sole traders, legal entities and municipalities, owners of agricultural, non-agricultural lands and forest areas, forest associations, as well as state enterprises that manage non-agricultural and forest areas. The financial assistance will be provided in the form of standard costs for afforestation and restoration, calculated by the University of Forestry.

The purpose of the "Afforestation and Restoration" intervention is adapted to the growing climate changes, as well as mitigating their consequences, promoting sustainable development and efficient management of natural resources, increasing afforestation in the lowland areas. The expected results include the expansion of forest areas and the restoration of forest potential, protection against soil erosion and ensuring a better water balance of agricultural lands.

The activities under the intervention will be carried out throughout the country and will be directed towards afforestation of agricultural and non-agricultural lands, restoration of forest damage due to fires, natural disasters and catastrophic events, as well as the restoration of protective forest belts. The selection criteria for the intervention were approved and voted on at a meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the Strategic Plan, held in the fall of 2024. Priority will be given depending on the determined percentage of forest cover and for lands threatened by erosion processes.

The draft Guidelines for applying for the "Afforestation and Restoration" intervention are to be published for public discussion.