Alter’NA EAFRD Guarantee Instrument 2014-2020 Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

This case study presents Alter’NA, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) financial instrument, introduced in the Region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in France with resources from the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 (incl. EUR 18.55 million of EAFRD and EUR 16.45 million national co-financing) and up to EUR 6 million from the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI). Thus, becoming the first financial instrument in Europe implemented under the EAFRD-EFSI Initiative.

Alter’NA is fully aligned with the Region’s agro-ecological transition strategy and aims to finance investments in agricultural holdings, in processing and marketing of agricultural products, non-agricultural activities (such as agro-tourism, leisure activities in rural areas and renewable energy production) and investment in forestry technology, contributing significantly to sustainable agriculture.

An important feature of this financial instrument is the Alter’NA webtool developed by the Region, with support from the EIB under the European Investment Advisory Hub, which helps disseminate information about the financial instrument and provides technical support for both participating banks and applicants (incl. a self-assessment eligibility tool).

A French translation of the case study is also available.