Umbria launches €9 million grant to settle young farmers

The Umbria region approved a new public call (SRE01 “Insediamento Giovani Agricoltori”) funded with €9 million from the EU Rural Development Fund. The scheme offers a €70,000 prize to each young farmer who establishes a farm for the first time, with the aim of encouraging succession as the average age of farmers exceeds 57 years.

Eligibility is limited to applicants aged 18‑40 years who will act as the head of the enterprise. Candidates must submit a business plan, register with the Chamber of Commerce and, after receiving the award, maintain the farm for seven years. Applications are accepted online via the SIAN portal until 24 August 2026; the call will be published in the Official Gazette on 8 July 2026.

“Con questo bando – dichiara l’assessora Simona Meloni – mettiamo a disposizione uno strumento concreto per accompagnare una nuova generazione di agricoltori umbri,” the regional agricultural policy chief said, highlighting the focus on innovation, sustainability, digitalisation and gender balance.