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Factsheet for measure HR-2020-14/513 – Updated – measures in Croatia

Microloans for rural development

Mali krediti za ruralni razvoj

Country Croatia , applies nationwide
Time period Open ended, started on 02 April 2020
Context COVID-19
Type Legislations or other statutory regulations
Category Supporting businesses to stay afloat
– Access to finance
Author Predrag Bejakovic (IJF)
Measure added 12 April 2020 (updated 10 November 2021)

Background information

Croatia has serious problems in rural development, primarily the age profile of farmers is very unfavorable. Over 60% of holders of family agricultural holdings are over 55 and less than 4% under 35. The economic crisis and the previous wartime events have contributed to migratory movements from rural to urban areas, particularly of the younger population, resulting in a general decline in the rural population and an increase in the ageing population. This poses a serious threat to the further development and even survival of the rural areas themselves. Young people are a key resource for the development of a modern and competitive agricultural sector, primarily because of their willingness and ability to adapt easily to technological changes, new practices and changing market conditions which is a requirement to increase productivity and competitiveness. Some achieved progress has come under the question due to the recent crisis.

Content of measure

The target groups of financial instruments Micro loans for rural development are primarily small business entities in the agricultural, processing and forestry sectors. Loans can be obtained in the amount of €1,000 to €25,000 and the funds are provided from the Rural Development Program. The repayment period is up to three years with an interest rate of 0.5% and a grace period of up to 12 months. The measure offers the possibility of settling bills created up to three months before the loan application is received, with significantly less documentation and a prepared Business Plan form. The Business Plan form is quite simple with pages on two-page questions, which significantly shortens the time of preparation of the application and enables easier and faster processing.

Due to restricted movement of possible beneficiaries and with the desire to simplify the procedure, the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) recommends on-line applications. The used of these loans can be an important step in improving the economic performance of farms and facilitating farm restructuring and modernization, notably with a view to increasing market participation and orientation. Furthermore, such financial sources can be of crucial importance to needed agricultural diversification.

Updates

The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.

18 December 2020

Business difficulties caused by the coronavirus epidemic were one of the ten criteria, including reduced demand or the possibility of product placement, an increase in production costs or the inability to carry out agro-technical measures in a timely manner. Working capital the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (CBRD) loans are approved directly at an interest rate of 0.5%, and loan users are exempt from all fees normally charged when approving loans. The loan amount has been from HRK 190 thousand (€25,232) to 1.52 million (€201,859). The funds have been approved for a period of up to five years, including a grace period of up to 12 months. Applications for these CBRD loans can be submitted by entities registered as family farms in the VAT system, a trade registered to perform an agricultural activity, a company or cooperative, including producer organizations. CBRD loans can be used for working capital required for the smooth running of production and financing of current operations (the preparation of production, the purchase of raw materials, other production costs, labor costs, the settlement of trade payables and other general operating expenses). Existing credit liabilities to commercial banks and other financial institutions cannot be settled with these funds. The total amount of funds intended for these loans has been HRK 130 million (€17.2 million), and by the December 2020, loans in amount of more than HRK 70 million (€9,3 million) have been approved. The funds are also available during 2021. Interested beneficiaries can apply for a loan that they can use, for example, to finance sowing or planting, production and processing.

01 December 2020

HAMAG better specified the criteria. Eligible borrowers are farmers and entities doing business in the agricultural products processing industry as well as entities doing business in the forestry industry set up in the following legal forms: family farms, crafts businesses registered for performing activities in the agricultural industry, companies (processing entities included), co-operatives (processing entities included). The borrowers are obliged to prove that they have difficulties in doing business as a consequence of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 virus in accordance with the criteria adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture. Eligible are those borrowers whose operations take place under the following measures, sub-measures and types of operations under the Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Croatia for the 2014-2020 (RDP).

Specific measures are following Measure 4: Investments in physical assets, Sub-measure 4.1: Support for investments in agricultural holdings.

Types of operation are the following:

  • 4.1.1: Restructuring, modernisation and increased competitiveness of agricultural holdings; type of operation
  • 4.1.2: Disposal, handling and use of manure fertilizer in order to reduce the harmful effects on the environment; type of operation
  • 4.1.3: Use of renewable energy sources.

Sub-measure 4.2: Support for investments in processing/marketing and/or development of agricultural products: Type of operation

  • 4.2.1: Increase in value added to agricultural products and
  • 4.2.2: Using renewable energy sources.

Measure 6: Farm and business development, Sub-measure 6.4: Support for investments in creation and development of non-agricultural activities in rural areas:

  • Type of operation 6.4.1: Development of non-agricultural activities in rural areas.

Measure 8: Investments in forest area development and the improvement of forest viability, Sub-measure 8.6: Support for investments in forestry technologies and in processing, mobilisation and marketing of forest products, type of operation

  • 8.6.1: Modernisation of technologies, machines, tools and equipment for wood harvesting and forestry cultivation and
  • 8.6.2: Modernisation of technologies, machines, tools and equipment in pre-industrial wood processing.

The purpose of the loan is financing of working capital needed for the elimination of instabilities in production and financing of current operations (preparation of production, raw materials, other operating costs, labour costs, settling of obligations towards suppliers and other current operating costs except for loan obligations towards commercial banks and other financial institutions as well as VAT). Refunding of existing loans is not eligible, but refund of previously invested funds will be accepted by HBOR for the payments made as a rule not longer than 3 months before the submission of loan application. Direct lending in loan amount from HRK 190,000 (€25,333) to HRK 1,520,000 (€202,667.9). The disbursement period is up to 3 months, while the repayment period is up to 3 years, up to 6-month grace period included for loans amounting to up to HRK 760,000 (€101,333); and up to 5 years, up to 6-moth or up to 12-month grace period included for loans exceeding HRK 760,000 (€101,333). Interest rate is 0.5% per annum and no fees charged.

Use of measure

The number of possible applicants and available resources are currently unknown. However, due to serious problems in the observed sector it can be estimated that the interest for this type of financing will be significant. Particularly in positive that red tape is reduced and application is relatively simple.

Target groups

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

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
European Funds
National funds

Social partners

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

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement No involvement
Form Not applicable Not applicable

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

  • No involvement
  • Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

Due to the nature of the measure social partners were not involved but they always support measures for rural development.

Views and reactions

Due to the nature of the measure, social partners were not involved.

Sectors and occupations

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      A - Agriculture, Forestry And Fishing A1 Crop and animal production, hunting and related service activities
      A3 Fishing and aquaculture

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

  • 02 April 2020: Odluka o usvajanju Izmjena i dopune Programa »Mikro i mali zajmovi za ruralni razvoj« (narodne-novine.nn.hr)
  • 07 April 2020: Dvije nove mjere za dodatnu likvidnost poduzetnicima, obrtnicima i poljoprivrednicima (www.seebiz.eu)
  • 01 December 2020: Obrtna sredstva za ruralni razvoj (www.hbor.hr)
  • 18 December 2020: Krediti za ruralni razvoj (Loans for rural development)

Citation

Eurofound (2020), Microloans for rural development, measure HR-2020-14/513 (measures in Croatia), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/HR-2020-14_513.html

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