Eurofound's COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the crisis, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for case HR-2020-14/513 – Updated – measures in Croatia
Country | Croatia , applies nationwide |
Time period | Open ended, started on 02 April 2020 |
Type | Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Category |
Supporting businesses to stay afloat
– Access to finance |
Author | Predrag Bejalovic (IJF) and Eurofound |
Case created | 12 April 2020 (updated 13 December 2020) |
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.
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 percent 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.
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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
Sub-measure 4.2: Support for investments in processing/marketing and/or development of agricultural products: Type of operation
Measure 6: Farm and business development, Sub-measure 6.4: Support for investments in creation and 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
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 (€202,6679). 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. |
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.
Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
---|---|---|
Does not apply to workers |
Sector specific set of companies
SMEs |
Does not apply to citizens |
Actors | Funding |
---|---|
National government
|
European Funds
National funds |
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:
Due to the nature of the measure social partners were not involved but they always support measures for rural development.
Due to the nature of the measure, social partners were not involved.
This case is sector-specific (only private sector)
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.
Citation
Eurofound (2020), Microloans for rural development , case HR-2020-14/513 (measures in Croatia), COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, http://eurofound.link/covid19eupolicywatch
Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process. All information is preliminary and subject to change.