YOUNG FARMERS, SMALL FARMS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP UNDER THE NEW EUROPEAN UNION GREEN DEAL

Abstract

The European Union in recent years has adopted and implemented a new policy, the European Green Deal, which aspires to be a comprehensive plan to make the EU economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities. At the core of this strategy, is agriculture, as it both contributes to and is affected by climate change. This paper investigates the opportunities and challenges facing young farmers, small farms, and agricultural entrepreneurship under the framework of the Green Deal. Especially, it explores how the Green Deal's goals of climate neutrality, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable food systems impact young farmers, small farms and agricultural entrepreneurship, while identifying ways in which they can align their practices with this new policy framework. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to support young farmers and small-scale agricultural entrepreneurs in achieving sustainability while enhancing their economic viability.