Final Guide for DR-24 Funding Scheme Published by AFIR: Investments in Forest Technologies Open for Applications

The Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR) has published on its official website, www.afir.ro, the final version of the Applicant's Guide for the DR-24 intervention – Investments in forest technologies that improve the resilience and environmental value of forest ecosystems. The funding is provided under the Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (PS 2027), and it precedes the launch of the first call for project submissions in the forestry sector.

Project Submission Period and Budget Allocation

The funding application window is open until July 4, 2025, at 4:00 PM. The total financial allocation available is €86,641,134, distributed as follows:

• €69,312,907 for certified economic operators
• €17,328,227 for authorized forest districts

Maximum Funding and Intensity

Under the DR-24 intervention:

• The maximum grant is €500,000 for economic operators
• The maximum grant is €250,000 for forest districts

The intensity of the non-reimbursable funding is limited to 65% of the eligible costs, within the maximum financial support limits.

Eligible Beneficiaries

Applicants eligible to access funds through this intervention include:

• Certified or re-certified economic operators in forest exploitation, recognized by the Certification Commission for Economic Operators in Forest Exploitation (excluding those under the structure of the National Forest Administration – Romsilva)
• Authorized forest districts approved by the central public authority for forestry

Eligible Costs

For Economic Operators:

• Purchase of new equipment and machinery for:
• Timber collection, sorting, loading, and handling in logging sites (including primary platforms)
• Wood chipping
• Software systems for managing newly acquired equipment and machinery, or for managing logging, transportation, and storage processes

For Forest Districts:

• Purchase of new equipment for:
• Silvicultural care and management of forest stands
• Wood chipping
• Risk management systems
• Monitoring equipment for forest management