Vorarlberg delays forestry grant payments

Hundreds of approved grants from Vorarlberg’s forestry fund are awaiting payment, with some applications dating back to 2025, ORF reports. The state says payouts will resume in January 2027, subject to the availability of next year’s budget.

The state says applications are generally processed and approved quickly, but reduced funding has left the fund unable to meet demand. Payments to nonprofit private groups, including agricultural communities and the forest owners’ association, are expected to fall from 524,000 euros two years ago to 300,000 euros this year. Grants to individuals have also fallen by about a fifth over two years.

This year’s funds were exhausted in the first quarter, and payments for earlier applications had to be prioritized. When funding becomes available next year, outstanding payments will be made before newer applications. The 2027 budget has not yet been set and is due to be decided in mid-December.

Budget constraints have also halted grants for building, expanding or repairing forestry access roads used by tractors, logging machines and other equipment.

Separately, applications under the federal EU rural development strategy plan were delayed for up to a year because of programming delays and initial technical problems. In Vorarlberg, 350 applications were affected. The state says they have been able to be entered into the system and released for payment only since late September.