Feader Grants for controlled grazing against fires in Castilla-La Mancha

The Vice-Ministry of Environment of the Ministry of Sustainable Development has announced the 2026 grants for the maintenance of the Defense Area Network (RAD) against forest fires through controlled grazing in Castilla-La Mancha. The call, signed on September 5, 2026, by Vice-Minister José Almodóvar Aráez, is published in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha number 176, dated September 14, 2026, with official reference [2026/6580] and an abstract in the National Grants Database (BDNS 928405).

The grants are processed on a competitive basis and have a budget of 360,000 euros, co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) at 80%, by the General State Administration at 6%, and by the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha for the remaining 14%. The amount may be increased with justification by up to an additional 65,000 euros if a credit extension occurs before the award is resolved.

Regulatory Framework and Objective

The call is part of intervention 6881.2 “Non-productive forestry investments in the prevention of forestry damage” of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027, approved by the European Commission Implementing Decision of August 31, 2022. Its regulatory bases are contained in Order 145/2024, of August 16, of the Ministry of Sustainable Development.

The objective is to promote controlled livestock grazing in strategic areas of the RAD to reduce the risk of forest fires and contribute to the conservation and stability of forests and agroforestry systems. The action areas, offered by province and surface area in Annex I, can be consulted in the web viewer for controlled grazing in RAD zones.

Beneficiaries and Requirements

Eligible beneficiaries may be natural or legal persons, communities of assets, and economic units that own livestock farms located in Castilla-La Mancha. They must meet, among others, the following requirements:

• Be the owner of an extensive sheep, goat, cattle, or equine livestock farm registered in the Livestock Holdings Register (REGA).
• Hold a license or authorization for the forestry use of pastures in forests managed by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha.
• Be up to date with tax obligations to the State Tax Agency, the Regional Government, and the Social Security.

The aid consists of an amount per grazed hectare, with an intensity of 100% of the eligible cost. To be eligible for funding, the application must achieve a minimum score of 10 points according to the selection criteria of the regulatory order.

Deadlines and Procedure

The application period is one month from the day following the publication in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha. Applications are submitted via the electronic office of the Regional Government (www.jccm.es), electronically with a digital signature for legal entities.

The resolution will be issued within a maximum period of six months from the publication of the call. The justification and payment request must be submitted before October 31 of the execution year, and the work must be completed before June 30 or the start of the period of extreme fire danger according to the Infocam Plan, subject to penalties.

Relevance

These grants consolidate controlled grazing as a preventive forest management tool against fires, a key instrument in an autonomous community with a large forest area and high seasonal risk. By linking extensive livestock farming with forest conservation, the call simultaneously reinforces the prevention of forest damage and the maintenance of livestock activity in rural areas.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 176, September 14, 2026, section III (Department of Sustainable Development), page 31886 (official reference: [2026/6580]).