On 18 June 2026, EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen announced a package of practical tools to improve access to finance for young farmers, speaking at a joint DG AGRI and European Investment Bank event in Warsaw. The package includes a catalogue of lending schemes and financial products across Europe, a toolkit on business planning and loan applications, and a forthcoming EU-wide survey on access to finance. Hansen also highlighted the proposed Starter Pack for young farmers under the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), complemented by opportunities under InvestEU and the future European Competitiveness Fund.
The event builds on the Generational Renewal Strategy adopted in October 2025, which identified access to finance as a key pillar. Hansen noted that more than 1 in 2 loan applications by young farmers are refused, and the financing gap is estimated at €14.2 billion. He pointed to Poland as a success story, where over 21% of farmers are under 40 — nearly double the EU average — and 25% of young farmers in Europe are Polish. The Commissioner stressed that financial instruments under the current CAP Strategic Plans amount to around €1 billion, and under previous Rural Development Programmes, €447 million in EU contributions generated over €2.1 billion in investments by end of 2024, demonstrating strong leverage.
the launch of practical tools, a survey, and the Starter Pack, but did not provide specific budget figures or deadlines for the survey or toolkit rollout. Hansen called for Member States to ensure financial instruments are accessible and adapted to farming realities, urging dialogue between farmers, bankers, and managing authorities. The policy orientation is towards increasing EU-level support and leveraging financial instruments to ease pressure on national budgets, with a focus on young farmers. The event marks a shift from diagnosing challenges to delivering solutions, as Hansen stated: "Today, we are moving from dialogue to delivery."
Young farmers stand to benefit from improved access to finance and tailored products, potentially reducing loan rejection rates. Banks and financial intermediaries may see increased demand for agricultural loans and new products. National authorities face pressure to integrate financial instruments strategically into future Partnership Plans. EU taxpayers benefit from leverage effects that stretch public funds further, but the €14.2 billion gap indicates that current resources may still fall short without additional commitments.