DR-14 AFIR: simple purchases have closed, €90 million remains for small farms until 31 October

On 6 October 2026, ahead of the deadline, the Agency for the Financing of Rural Investments (AFIR) closed the "simple purchases" component of the DR-14 intervention "Investments in small farms". Between 1 September and 6 October, 753 funding applications were submitted, worth a total of 35,010,497 euro, almost twice the allocation of 18 million euro. Small farms can still submit projects under the other three components (livestock, vegetable growing and other sectors) until 31 October 2026 at 16:00, or until the funds run out.

In brief

• Programme: DR-14 "Investments in small farms", CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027
• Authority: AFIR, under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
• Beneficiaries: small farms; natural persons are not eligible
• Total budget: €108 million (€30 million each for livestock, vegetable growing and other sectors, plus €18 million for simple purchases)
• Value per project / intensity: up to €50,000, at most 85% of eligible costs
• Submission period: 1 September, 09:00 – 31 October 2026, 16:00
• Status: simple purchases have been closed since 6 October; the other three components are open, with the quality threshold lowered to 40 points in October

What has closed and what remains open?

Only the "simple purchases" component has closed, the one for projects that buy machinery and equipment, regardless of sector. AFIR stopped accepting applications because the submission ceiling set for this component was reached.

The other three components continue to accept projects:

• livestock sector – allocation of €30 million;
• vegetable growing – allocation of €30 million;
• other sectors (holdings that do not fall under the first two categories) – allocation of €30 million.

The deadline is 31 October 2026 at 16:00. AFIR states that these components may also close earlier if the funds run out.

What changed in October regarding the quality threshold?

According to the launch announcement, the minimum quality threshold was 80 points in September and fell to 40 points for projects submitted between 1 and 31 October. This means that projects with a lower score than those submitted in the first month can now also enter the competition. Applications are submitted online, through the AFIR portal.

Which investments can be funded?

AFIR's announcement of 6 August, issued when the guide was published, lists the following types of eligible investment:

• construction or modernisation of agricultural buildings;
• manure management facilities;
• on-farm conditioning, storage and processing units;
• marketing and sale of products;
• purchase of new agricultural machinery and equipment;
• connecting the farm to utilities;
• installation and modernisation of irrigation equipment;
• water storage basins, only as a secondary element of the project.

Support is up to 50,000 euro per project, with an intensity of at most 85% of eligible costs. The full eligibility conditions, including the economic size of the farm, are set out in the DR-14 applicant's guide, published on the AFIR website.

What this means for your business

Our recommendation: if you only wanted to buy a piece of machinery and did not apply by 6 October, you can no longer use the simple purchases component in this call window. If your investment can become a project involving construction or installation, for example an animal shelter, a storage space or a greenhouse with irrigation, check whether it fits the component for your sector (livestock, vegetable growing or other sectors).

Time matters most. There are just over three weeks left until the deadline, and a project involving construction needs documents that are hard to obtain: urbanism certificate, technical documentation, quotes, proof of the right to the land. The remaining components could also run out before 31 October, as happened with simple purchases, so do not leave your submission until the last day.

One useful step before anything else: check in APIA (the IACS system) that your farm's data is up to date, because eligibility is verified on the basis of this data. You can quickly find out whether your profile fits with the eligibility check, and the programme details are on the DR-14 — investments in small farms page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still submit a DR-14 project solely to buy a tractor?

Not under the simple purchases component, which closed on 6 October 2026 after the submission ceiling was reached. The other components remain open until 31 October, but you need to check in the guide whether your project meets their conditions.

Until when can projects be submitted for livestock, vegetable growing and other sectors?

Until 31 October 2026 at 16:00, online, on the AFIR portal. The call window may close earlier if the allocated funds run out.

What is the minimum score now?

For applications submitted between 1 and 31 October 2026, the quality threshold is 40 points, compared with 80 points in September.

How much can a small farm receive through DR-14?

Up to 50,000 euro per project, non-refundable, with an intensity of at most 85% of eligible costs. The remaining at least 15% is covered by the farmer.

Can I also apply as a natural person?

No. According to AFIR, natural persons are excluded. The farmer must have a legal form of organisation, and the holding's data is verified in APIA's IACS system.

Official sources

• AFIR – The funds allocated to the DR-14 intervention for the simple purchases component have been exhausted (6 October 2026)
• AFIR – AFIR launches call windows for small farms and for floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants (14 August 2026)
• AFIR – AFIR has published the conditions for accessing funds for investments in small farms (6 August 2026)

Information checked on 6 October 2026. Conditions may be changed by the managing authority — check the guide in force before you submit.