The Castile and León Regional Government has decided to give a new boost to the professionalization of the field with a call for aid that will mobilize one million euros throughout 2026. This package is aimed at reinforce training, technical information and demonstration activities in the agricultural, food and forestry sectors of the community.
The initiative is part of the intervention of Knowledge transfer and training and information activities of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027, co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). In total, this intervention has a budget of 3,4 million euros for the entire period, which positions the commitment to knowledge as one of the key elements of agricultural policy in Castile and León.
A call for proposals designed to modernize the rural environment
As explained by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, the main purpose of this line of aid is improve professional training of farmers, ranchers, forestry workers and staff from the agri-food sector. The idea is that those who run farms and businesses have sufficient technical and management tools to face challenges such as innovation, technological advancement, environmental sustainability, and competitiveness in the markets.
The Board is focusing, in a very special way, on the young people joining the agricultural sectorThey are considered a strategic group to guarantee generational renewal in the field and, therefore, it is intended that they have a [support/resource] from the outset. solid training, updated and adjusted to current regulatory and technological requirements.
Another key aspect is that training activities can be carried out at different territorial levels: autonomous, provincial or regional levelIn this way, the aim is to adapt the content to the specific production characteristics of each area and to the real needs of farms and companies, avoiding overly generic approaches that do not reflect the day-to-day realities of the sector.
The Ministry also emphasizes that the annual publication These grants, awarded at the beginning of each year, fulfill a prior commitment to representative organizations in the agricultural sector. Bringing forward the application deadlines allows for timely planning of courses, workshops, and demonstrations, preventing interruptions and ensuring the continuity of training programs throughout the year.
Main new feature: a single resource for training, information and demonstration
One of the major new features of this programming period is the integration into a single call for proposals of training, information and demonstration activities. In previous stages, these three types of actions were managed separately, which generated a greater administrative burden and fragmented the offer available to the sector.
The new model simplifies the process for both the Administration and the organizing entities, and increases consistency in the design process. complete training programs that combine theory, knowledge transfer and practical field testsThe idea is that the professional does not receive isolated information, but a more comprehensive training package.
The call also introduces a specific prioritization of advisor trainingThis is especially true for those involved in agricultural advisory services. Actions specifically aimed at this group are planned, and their attendance at other subsidized courses is encouraged, with the goal of ensuring that those who advise farmers and ranchers are up-to-date on the latest regulations, technologies, and management tools.
For the Board, strengthening the role of advisors is a key element in improving farm management, as they act as a bridge between research, administration and daily work in the field, helping to translate the innovation and good practices to productive reality.
Who can benefit from this aid?
The direct recipients of the call are not individual producers, but the providers of training, information and demonstration servicesThat is, entities that design and deliver the courses, workshops and activities that, ultimately, benefit farmers, ranchers and forestry workers.
To access the aid, these entities must have the status of Legal persons and maintain a direct relationship with the agricultural, food, and forestry sectors. The Board places special emphasis on representative societies, cooperatives, and associations, recognizing their great capacity to identify the real needs of the region and mobilize professionals in the sector.
This approach seeks to consolidate professional organizations, cooperatives, and associations as key players in the knowledge transfer and in the modernization of rural areas. Because they are rooted in towns and regions, these organizations tend to have a better understanding of the training priorities of each area and can organize activities that are more tailored to the local context.
In practice, they will be able to present projects both regional entities and those focused on a specific province or regionprovided they meet the requirements set out in the call and commit to developing actions aligned with the objectives set by the Ministry.
Types of courses and priority content
The range of eligible training courses is broad, but the Board has identified a number of content considered a priority due to its direct impact on the professionalization and legal security of workers in the sector.
Among the most noteworthy actions are the courses in Incorporation into the agricultural business for young farmersThese courses are essential for accessing certain subsidies and for starting a business with a solid foundation in management, regulations, taxation, and farm planning. They are often linked to the... training options for young people that facilitate access to the sector.
Training programs are also included for the Obtaining or renewing the professional user card for plant protection productsThis is a mandatory requirement for those who handle these types of substances. These courses delve into safe use, environmental protection, occupational health, and compliance with current regulations.
Another relevant area is training aimed at obtaining the animal welfare certificate, in its various forms. This content is key to adapting to legal requirements and market demands, which are increasingly sensitive to the conditions in which animals are raised and handled.
The call also gives priority to a series of strategic sectors for the communityThese include sheep and goat farming, cattle farming, Iberian pig farming, industrial crops, legumes and oilseeds, as well as industry linked to cheese and wineIn all these areas, both technical improvement and product differentiation and the creation of added value are promoted.
In addition, training activities will be supported in ecological production and in the management and efficient use of agricultural resources such as water, soil, and energy, as well as content related to forest management and conservation and the sustainable use of local resources. This approach reflects a vision of rural development that combines productivity, environmental respect, and resilience to climate change.
Procedure, deadlines and online processing
The procedure for accessing these grants will be entirely onlineInterested entities must submit their applications through the electronic registry of the Administration of the Community of Castilla y León, where they will find the standardized forms and the documentation required for each phase of the process.
The necessary templates will be available on the website, not only for the initial requestbut also for the development of the actions, their monitoring, and the final justification of the projects carried out. The aim is to streamline the process and reduce administrative burdens, both for the beneficiary entities and for the Regional Government itself.
The application period will remain open until January 16, 2026This date allows potential beneficiaries several weeks to prepare the documentation and design in some detail the training activities they wish to implement during the year.
Once the call for applications has been resolved, the selected entities They will be able to start their training, information and demonstration programs throughout 2026, with the obligation to comply with the content, duration, recipients and economic justification requirements established in the bases.
A fundamental strategy: knowledge as a lever for the future
Beyond the specific figure of this million euros, the Board insists that it is a structural commitment to training as an instrument for modernizing the agricultural, food, and forestry sectors. In a context marked by cost pressures, regulatory changes, and the transition to more sustainable models, training is seen as an essential investment to guarantee the viability of farms.
Knowledge transfer activities aim to enable farmers, livestock breeders, and agri-food companies to incorporate new technologies, adjust their production systems to environmental requirements, improve the efficiency of input use and strengthen their position in the value chain, from production to marketing.
This line of aid consolidates a dynamic in which Training is no longer seen as a one-off event. to become a stable component of regional agricultural policy. By integrating training, information, and demonstration into a single tool, and by prioritizing both young people and advisors, the Regional Government aims to ensure that public investment in this area has a lasting effect on the professionalization and competitiveness of rural areas in Castile and León.
