• The DR-23 state aid scheme, with a budget of almost 165 million euros, represents a major opportunity for the revitalization and modernization of the milling and baking sector in Romania.
Launched following the sustained efforts of the Romanian Employers' Confederation of the Milling, Bakery and Flour Products Industry (Rompan), this measure promises to bring new life to an essential industry, stimulating investment, innovation and the creation of new jobs.
In an exclusive dialogue with the Arta Albă Editorial Team, Dr. Eng. Daniela Voica, vice president of Rompan, provided details about the Employers' contribution in developing the scheme, the strategies recommended to members for accessing funds, and expectations regarding its impact on the sector.
1. The DR-23 state aid scheme, with a budget of almost 165 million euros, is the result of the sustained efforts of your association. What were Rompan's main contributions in the negotiations with the authorities for the development and approval of this measure, and how do you see its impact on the milling and baking sector in Romania?
This aid scheme is indeed carried out at the exclusive proposal of Rompan, and is in fact a continuation of other similar measures previously carried out, since no funds were allocated for secondary processing. In Annex 1 to the Treaty, the secondary processing area was completely omitted. We believe that the measure will have a major impact on the sector we represent, especially since in the priority sector scoring grid, bakery has been allocated the highest score.
2. According to confirmations obtained from breaker from AFIR, the project submission session for DR-23 opens on November 1, 2025. What concrete strategies does the association recommend to its members to prepare competitive projects, considering the 35% own contribution and the energy efficiency requirements mentioned in the annex to the scheme?
Rompan members were kept informed throughout this time about the status of the works leading up to the finalization of the scheme. At the initiative of breaker the funds allocated through this scheme were distributed distinctly for the two categories of projects: establishing new units, and modernizing existing units. The strategy for writing projects belongs to each applicant, because each one knows exactly the particularities of the project to be submitted. The only clue is to assess the score they will obtain as objectively as possible and to analyze very well the project submission stage based on this score.
3. With non-reimbursable public support of up to 65% of eligible expenses and maximum funding values of up to 10 million euros for start-up projects, what expectations do you have from the members? breaker in terms of the number of projects submitted and the impact on the creation of new jobs in the bakery sector?
It seems that in this submission session there will be a very high competition; there are many economic agents who will submit projects, both Rompan members and non-member units. The scheme is not designed only for our members, but for the entire sector; a very important aspect that you need to know is that only the bakery sector can access projects of 10 million euros.
4. What are the main anticipated obstacles for members? breaker in the eligibility process and how does the association intend to support them, especially those with limited experience in accessing European funds?
If the funding application is prepared correctly, and if the conditions in the guide are strictly respected, we do not believe that there should be any obstacles. At Rompan there is a team of specialists who constantly maintain contact with the members and to the extent that certain ambiguities arose, Rompan addressed questions directly to AFIR so that they can also clarify various specific aspects.
5. How do you assess the potential of the DR-23 scheme to stimulate innovation in the Romanian food industry, especially in areas such as gluten-free products, and what steps are next? breaker to support members in accessing subsequent funding sessions?
Both through modernization projects and through new projects to establish production units, new, innovative products can be developed. These aspects are established by each applicant based on the detailed analysis they made prior to the project development and based on each applicant's strategy. Rompan will continue to collaborate with the relevant Ministry to identify other sources of financing, intended to support the milling and baking industry.
6. Do you consider that the budget allocated through the DR-23 financing scheme, worth 165 million euros, is sufficient to meet the needs of the sector, given that this program has been awaited for a long time?
We believe that this budget is not sufficient, but unfortunately at this moment these were the only sources identified; we note that Rompan had to discuss this budget allocation intensively.
7. After the closing of the contracting session, scheduled for June 30, 2027, do you estimate that other financing programs dedicated to the milling and baking sector will be launched?
Yes, other funding programs will definitely follow.
Interview conducted by the Arta Albă Editorial Team
Read on White Art and: Interview with Mr. Aurel Popescu, President of ROMPAN – “Political instability influences all economic spheres”
