Agriculture 27 September 2026 7 min read

AFIR DR interventions in the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027: what each one funds and which call windows are open

Guide to the AFIR "DR" interventions in the 2023–2027 CAP Strategic Plan: who can apply, ceilings and intensities, plus the current status. DR-14 and DR-18 accept projects until 31 October 2026.

Todos & Company editorial team · EU funding consultancy since 2006

AFIR DR interventions in the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027: what each one funds and which call windows are open

The “DR” interventions are the rural development funding lines in the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (PS 2027), managed by AFIR. Each code funds a different type of investment and has different beneficiaries, a different ceiling and a different support intensity. Ceilings range from €50,000 (small farms, DR-14) to €10 million per project (some new processing investments, DR-22). As of 27 September 2026, AFIR is accepting projects under DR-14 (four components) and DR-18 until 31 October 2026, 15:59.

In brief

What they are: the rural development interventions (code “DR”) in the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027, based on Regulation (EU) 2021/2115.
Authority: the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), through the Agency for the Financing of Rural Investments (AFIR).
Submission: online, at depunerepspac.afir.ro, with the funding application form completed in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC or a newer version.
Typical intensities: 65% for productive investments in farms and processing, up to 85–90% for small farms and biosecurity, 100% for public infrastructure.
Call windows open now: DR-14 (four components, allocations of €30 million, €30 million, €18 million and €30 million) and DR-18 (€5 million), between 1 September and 31 October 2026, 15:59.
In preparation: DR-12 (final guide published on 18 September 2026, call window date not yet announced) and DR-21 (guide in public consultation since 18 September 2026).

How to read a DR code

The DR code indicates the type of intervention, not a specific call window. The same intervention can have several call windows, and the components and allocations may differ from one window to the next. For each intervention, AFIR publishes a “Details and annexes” page with the applicant's guide, the funding application, the evaluation sheets and the other annexes. The call window calendar appears separately, under “Project submission windows” and in the available funds counter.

Not all DR codes are investment projects. On the AFIR portal, the “Environment and climate” section groups interventions DR-01–DR-11: agri-environment and climate, organic farming, animal welfare, forest-environment, afforestation and areas with natural constraints. These work as commitments and compensation payments, not as projects with a business plan. Below are the investment interventions, grouped by beneficiary.

What the farm interventions fund

DR-12 – young or recently established farmers: farmers who completed the business plan under sub-measure 6.1 of the PNDR 2014–2020 or who set up at most 5 years before submission, are at most 45 years old and are heads of holding. Natural persons are not eligible. Support is up to €200,000 per project, with an intensity of 80% for young farmers and 65% for other categories. Details on the DR-12 programme page.
DR-14 – small farms: farmers, except natural persons. Support is up to €50,000 per project and covers up to 85% of eligible costs. The call window is open now (see the DR-14 page).
DR-15 – fruit growing: machinery, new orchards, plantation conversion and nurseries. Support covers 65% of eligible costs, with a ceiling of €1.5 million per project.
DR-16 – vegetables and/or potatoes and DR-20 – livestock sector: farmers (excluding natural persons), cooperatives and producer groups or organisations recognised by MADR. Support covers 65% of eligible costs. Under DR-20, the ceiling is €2 million per project, or €300,000 if the project includes only purchases of machinery and equipment.
DR-18 – floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants: support is up to €100,000 per project. The intensity is 85% for farms with an economic size between €2,000 and €11,999 SO and 65% from €12,000 SO upwards.
DR-21 – biosecurity in sheep and goat farms: farms registered with ANSVSA, with at least 150 animals. Support is up to €50,000 per beneficiary, with an intensity of 90%. The proposed budget for the call window is €9 million, and projects are accepted up to a ceiling of 300% of the allocation. The guide is still in public consultation.
DR-26 – new on-farm irrigation systems: support is up to €500,000 per beneficiary and covers 65% of eligible costs.
DR-30 – setting up young farmers: a premium of up to €70,000, paid in two instalments: 75% on signing the contract and 25% after the business plan has been correctly implemented, within three years at most.

What the processing and food chain interventions fund

DR-22 – conditioning, storage and processing of agricultural and fruit products: cooperatives, producer groups, SMEs and large enterprises. Support covers 65% of eligible costs. The ceiling is €3 million for modernisation, €10 million for new investments in the fruit and vegetable, milling, oils and compound feed sectors, and €7 million for other new investments.
DR-23 – processing into food products and processed products not listed in Annex I to the TFEU: SMEs, within the meaning of Law 346/2004, and large enterprises.
DR-33 – setting up producer groups in the agricultural and fruit-growing sectors.
DR-24 – forestry technologies that increase the resilience and environmental value of forests.
DR-37 – knowledge transfer, with a separate section on the AFIR portal.

What town halls and local communities can access

DR-27 – agricultural access roads and DR-28 – basic road infrastructure in rural areas: local authorities (UAT) and their associations. Support covers 100% of eligible costs, with a ceiling of €1 million per beneficiary.
DR-25 – modernisation of off-farm irrigation infrastructure: water user organisations for irrigation (OUAI). Support covers 100% of eligible costs, with a ceiling of €1.5 million per beneficiary.
DR-36 – LEADER (community-led local development): non-agricultural activities, support for the food chain, small-scale infrastructure and heritage enhancement, in areas covered by local development strategies. Projects are submitted through Local Action Groups (GAL), and each GAL sets the specific conditions. DR-36F funds the operation of LAGs (GAL).

What AFIR evaluators check

Beneficiary category: under many farm interventions, natural persons are not eligible. What matters is the form of organisation and, under DR-12, how long ago you set up.
Economic size (SO): determines eligibility or the intensity of support. Under DR-18, for example, a farm of €12,000 SO receives 65% instead of 85%.
The correct ceiling: under DR-20, a project that includes only machinery has a ceiling of €300,000, not €2 million.
Document version: AFIR requires the updated version of the funding application, which for DR-14 is version 1.1. The form must be completed without automation tools.

What this means for your business

Our recommendation: start from the type of investment and the legal form, not from the maximum amount. A small farmer, organised as a PFA or SRL, who wants equipment for a small farm has a real window now under DR-14, until 31 October. A project above €50,000, however, does not fit there and is worth preparing for DR-16, DR-20 or, if the farmer is under 45, for DR-12.

For DR-12, the final guide has been published, so you can prepare the project in advance: the feasibility study, quotes and ownership documents. Sheep and goat breeders with at least 150 animals can start gathering documents for DR-21, but the conditions may change before the final guide. Town halls have the simplest option in DR-27 and DR-28, with 100% funding. If you are not sure where you fit, use the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Which AFIR call windows are open now?

As of 27 September 2026, AFIR is accepting projects under DR-14 (the vegetables, livestock, simple purchases and other sectors components) and DR-18 (floriculture and medicinal plants). Both call windows close on 31 October 2026, at 15:59.

What is the difference between DR-12 and DR-30?

DR-30 provides a set-up premium of up to €70,000 for young farmers and other new farmers, paid in two instalments. DR-12 funds the investments of recently established farmers aged at most 45: up to €200,000 per project, with an intensity of 80% for young farmers.

Can a natural person apply?

Under DR-12, DR-14, DR-15, DR-16, DR-18 and DR-20, the guides exclude natural persons. The farmer must be organised, for example as a PFA, sole proprietorship (II), family business (IF) or company.

Can town halls access AFIR funds?

Yes. Local authorities (UAT) and their associations can access DR-27 (agricultural access roads) and DR-28 (basic rural roads), with 100% funding and a ceiling of €1 million per beneficiary. They can also be involved in LEADER projects, through LAGs (GAL).

Is DR-21 open for applications?

No. The DR-21 guide was published for public consultation on 18 September 2026. The final version and the call window schedule have not yet been announced.

Official sources

Information checked on 27 September 2026. Conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.