Effects of the Corona pandemic on the RDP in Brandenburg

The report ‘Consideration of the targeting of European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI) funds. Effects of the Corona pandemic on the RDP in Brandenburg’ is published as part of the ongoing evaluation of the RDP on the basis of the evaluation plan set out in the RDP.

The analysis examines the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on agriculture and rural areas (Part I) and on the implementation, results and effects of the RDP measures (Part II).

The first part of the report examines the relevance and effectiveness of the use of EURI funds and identifies implications of EURI funds in the ex post evaluation report. Part II of the report is dedicated to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the implementation, results and impacts of the RDP in two chapters.

Statistical data and literature were analysed as part of the report. Interviews were conducted with key persons and final reports (LEADER, EIP) were analysed in order to assess the impact on results and effects. It must be noted that a large part of the EURI funds allocated to the EAFRD by Regulation (EU) 2020/2094 could not be spent on "measures to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis [...] rural development" within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2020/2092 and that agriculture was not affected by the COVID-19 crisis in terms of its economic and environmental performance. In contrast, the objectives set out in the CAP regulation largely coincide with the original EAFRD objectives and the new objectives of the European Green Deal.

The measures on contact restrictions in the form of business closures, particularly in 2020 and the first half of 2021 (i.e. 'the lockdown’), may have had an impact on parts of working life and the economy, including the rural economy, which was supported under the RDP. While agriculture and forestry have not been affected in their primary production and agri-environmental measures, diversifying farmers (Measure 06.4) may be affected if their non-agricultural activities take place in affected sectors, such as tourism, gastronomy or social services.

Closures in these sectors can reduce the results and, therefore, the impact of EAFRD-funded investment measures. The same applies to projects in the areas of hospitality, arts, entertainment, recreation, event planning and retail (excluding food retail) that were funded via LEADER (Measure 19) and cooperation (Measure 16).