The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food has today opened the call for cooperation aid for environmental management of water in rice paddies. These grants, part of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 (PEPAC), have a budget of 1 million euros for the year 2026.
The initiative targets irrigation communities organized into cooperation groups (GCs) wishing to undertake projects to advance environmental objectives. Groups must comprise at least two members with distinct legal personalities and no organic ties between them.
The primary aim of the aid is to control weeds in the channels and drains used for water management in rice paddies across Catalunya. This collaborative effort seeks to implement beneficial actions across a significant portion of the region's rice-growing areas.
These subsidies align with European objectives, including contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation, enhancing the management of natural resources like water and soil, reducing chemical dependency, and conserving biodiversity and habitats.
Eligible actions include reducing herbicide use, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange, and promoting the adoption of more environmentally friendly products and techniques.
Irrigation communities with land in the municipalities of the wetlands of the Ebro Delta (such as L'Ampolla, Deltebre, Amposta) and the areas of Aiguamolls de l'Empordà and Montgrí, the Medes Islands, and Baix Ter (such as L'Escala, Roses, Pals) can form cooperation groups.
The total budget of 1,000,000 euros for 2026 is divided between 430,000 euros funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and 570,000 euros by the Department. The maximum aid per cooperation group is 900,000 euros, covering 100% of eligible expenses.
Applications must be submitted exclusively through telematic means between June 26 and July 27, 2026.
