Romanian Florists Can Access European Funds for First Time, But Call Budget 'Insulting'

Romanian flower producers have a new opportunity to develop their farms through European funding, with the Agency for Rural Investment Financing (AFIR) publishing guidelines for a support measure. This marks the first time horticulturalists in this sector can access funds, with individual projects eligible for up to 100,000 euros.

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The total allocated sum is infinitesimal.

The measure, DR-18 "Investments in floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants," aims to enhance the technological capabilities of farms. Eligible expenses include the development of agricultural holdings, the purchase of machinery and equipment, and the setup of conditioning and storage units. The funding can also be used for irrigation systems, water storage, and equipment for producing organic fertilizers or renewable energy.

However, the announcement has been met with significant dissatisfaction from producers. They argue that the total budget of 5 million euros is "infinitesimal" and "insulting," especially considering the approximately 5,000 flower producers in Romania who have been awaiting such opportunities for decades. At the maximum funding level, only about 50 producers can benefit, leaving the vast majority without support.

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The support granted will contribute to better technologization of agricultural holdings, through investments in machinery and equipment, leading to the supply of the market with flowers, aromatic, medicinal and ornamental plants, with a positive impact on the trade balance.

Adding to the frustration, the guidelines explicitly exclude individual farmers (personsne fizice) from applying. Only legally organized entities, such as PFA, II, IF, SRL, agricultural cooperatives, and producer groups, are eligible. Ion Călin, leader of the Muntenia Flower Producers Association, expressed the collective disappointment, stating, "The funds are symbolic. And here is a grievance of ours... our signals are: mister, take your 5 million euros for 5,000 flower producers and do whatever you want with them."

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The funds are symbolic. And here is a grievance of ours and the colleagues understood – I did not urge them -, and our signals are: mister, take your 5 million euros for 5,000 flower producers and do whatever you want with them.