Sustainable development of the mountain area through targeted investment programmes

Abstract

The Mountain Law, No. 197 of July 20, 2018, regulates the methods of protection and sustainable and inclusive development of the mountainous area through the valorization of natural and human resources, improvement of living standards, population stabilization, preservation of cultural identity, and increase in economic power at the local and national levels, all while maintaining ecological balance and protecting the natural environment. The mountainous area of Romania is considered a special, strategic, economic, social, and environmental territory of national interest. Due to limitations in the use of agricultural land caused by altitude, climate conditions, slopes, geological substrate, high costs of works, living conditions, infrastructure, business environment, access to education, and medical services, it is considered disadvantaged. Through the Mountain Law, the approval of the Program for Encouraging Activities in the mountainous area is granted, with an allocation of 1 billion euros over a period of 10 years from its entry into force, from the state budget, through the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This Program serves as a source of support for performance in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. There are funding programs for investments in three areas aimed at the residents of the mountainous area: Investments for the establishment of milk collection and/or processing centers; Investments for the establishment of mountain pastures; Investments for the establishment of primary collection and processing centers for forest fruits, mushrooms, and/or medicinal and aromatic plants. Beneficiaries of the investment programs can be individual authorized persons, individual enterprises, family enterprises, producer groups, agricultural cooperatives, legal entities, and legal entities engaged in agriculture and/or the food industry. Eligible beneficiaries, regardless of the type of investment they choose, must cumulatively meet the following conditions: operate in the mountainous area, access only one type of investment once throughout the entire Program period, and not have received similar support under the National Rural Development Program (PNDR) 2014- 2020, including during the transition period.