The EAFRD holds a budget of €96.4 billion and is available for co-financing rural development projects in the 27 EU Member States. Governed by Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, the EAFRD is focused on three main types of rural development activities. These are: • Improving the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry; • Supporting sustainable land management and improving the environment; and • Encouraging diversification of the rural economy and promoting quality of life in rural areas.

This brochure has been prepared to illustrate a selection of project examples that demonstrate some of the different ways that the EAFRD is being used as a driver of rural development in Europe’s countryside.