Background information

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the market disruptions caused by it, the financial situation of many enterprises in agriculture has deteriorated.

In order to support these enterprises, a temporary subsidy for small agricultural enterprises was created. The legal basis for this subsidy is the Government Decree 367/2020 on temporary support for rural enterprises (Valtioneuvoston asetus maatalouden yritysten väliaikaisesta tuesta 367/2020).

Content of measure

This grant is available for enterprises that sell and process agricultural products. Only enterprises that employ less than 10 people and whose turnover is up to €2 million are eligible for this grant.

The grant covers up to 80% of the essential expenses such as wage costs and rent. The grant covers up to six months of essential expenses and it can be applied retroactively from March 2020. The amount of this grant is between €2,000 and €80,000.

The grant is administrated by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. There are separate grant schemes for primary production and fisheries.

Use of measure

As of 23 August 2020, 322 enterprises had applied for this support. The total amount granted was approximately €2,8 million.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

No information available.

Views and reactions

No information available.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 14 May 2020: Government Decree temporary support for rural enterprises (Valtioneuvoston asetus maaseudun yritysten väliaikaisesta tuesta) (finlex.fi)
• 23 August 2020: Temporary support for agricultural enterprises 2020 - applications, granted applications and rejections by ELY-center as of 23.8.2020 (Maaseudun yritysten ja alkutuotannon väliaikainen tuki 2020 Hakemukset, päätökset ja hylkäykset ELY-keskuksittain) 23.8.2020 mennessä (www.ruokavirasto.fi)
• 31 December 2020: Temporary support for rural enterprises for the financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic (Maaseudun yritysten väliaikainen tuki koronaviruspandemiasta johtuviin talousvaikeuksiin) (www.ruokavirasto.fi)