FEADER 73.04 — Preservation and restoration of natural and forest heritage, including Natura 2000 sites

Reference framework: FEADER 73.04 Notice, version V1 entered into force on 18 December 2025; FEADER Guadeloupe regional strategic plan V6, applicable since 27 April 2026. Managing authority: Région.

Reference framework: FEADER 73.04 Notice, version V1 entered into force on 18 December 2025; FEADER Guadeloupe regional strategic plan V6, applicable since 27 April 2026. Managing authority: Région Guadeloupe.

1. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

The 73.04 intervention supports investments aimed at preserving or restoring forest heritage in Guadeloupe. It targets the maintenance or preservation of remarkable sites, the maintenance and development of ecological infrastructure favourable to biodiversity, and the provision of ecosystem services. Long-term economic benefits may exist for private forestry, but they must not compromise the environmental purpose of the project.

The measure addresses in particular issues of biodiversity, the resilience of forest stands, protection of soil and water resources, restoration following degradation or disaster, and adaptation to climate hazards.

2. TYPES OF SUPPORTED ACTIONS

A. Establishment of agroforestry systems

  • Establishment of agroforestry systems through forest thinning.
  • Planting of trees on non-shrub agricultural plots.
  • Introduction of crops under forest cover where the project contributes to sustainable forest management and the preservation of forest heritage.
  • Work directly necessary for the installation, protection and maintenance of the agroforestry system.

In Guadeloupe, potential systems may notably involve vanilla, yam, flowers, coffee, cocoa and certain animal production, subject to technical feasibility and compliance with environmental objectives.

Specific conditions:

  • Minimum project area: 0.5 ha.
  • Tree planting within a crop: density between 30 and 400 trees per hectare.
  • Crops planted under forest cover: minimum density of 200 plants per hectare.
  • The technical study must justify the densities, the species and their suitability to soil and climate conditions.
  • The list of eligible species notably includes poirier-pays, mahogany, red mahogany (acajou rouge), white mahogany (acajou blanc), galba, pois doux, logwood (bois de campêche), rosewood (bois de rose), courbaril, red caconnier, yellow wood (bois jaune), bois-noyer and bois d'Inde. Adding species requires validation by the competent committee.

B. Forestry operations outside agroforestry systems

These notably include:

  • Strengthening the resilience and environmental functions of forest stands.
  • Reconstitution of stands degraded or damaged following biotic or abiotic events, in particular cyclones and storms.
  • Non-productive forestry investments in the short and medium term contributing to good forest condition.
  • Creation of woodlands and actions to combat soil erosion.
  • Preservation and improvement of forests, in particular the control of invasive alien animal or plant species.
  • Safeguarding threatened species and protecting ecological habitats.
  • Creation or restoration of riparian forests (ripisylves), retention of senescent trees, restoration of ecological corridors, creation of feeding areas and protective shelters.
  • Fencing-off work and restoration of plot boundaries or compartmentalisation where they contribute to the protection of species or ecosystems.
  • Non-productive investments enabling public access to forest areas and the practice of sporting activities.

For these non-agroforestry operations, support targets investments without direct revenue in the short term (2 years) and medium term (10 years). Secondary economic value creation must not be incompatible with the main environmental objective; the technical study must demonstrate this where relevant.

3. ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES

  • Public authorities and their groupings.
  • Public bodies.
  • Chamber of Agriculture.
  • Authorised syndicate associations (ASA).
  • Associations.
  • Cooperative societies of collective interest (SCIC).
  • Private businesses, whether sole traders or companies.
  • Conservatoire du Littoral and Conservatoire botanique.

Eligibility of the applicant does not guarantee eligibility of the project: the nature of the operations, land control, authorisations and expenditure must comply with the notice and the general FEADER rules.

4. TECHNICAL CONDITIONS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The applicant must provide a presentation note and a technical study including at least:

  • Identification of the owner and location of the site (IGN map and land registry references).
  • Regulatory context, in particular with regard to the Forestry Code and the Environmental Code.
  • Analysis of the site and soil/climate characteristics.
  • Environmental and climate issues of the area.
  • Owner's objectives and identified constraints.
  • Technical approach and choice of species in the case of planting.
  • Description and schedule of interventions, with associated expenditure.

The project must comply with regulations relating to the protection of environments and natural resources. Within a catchment protection perimeter, a ZNIEFF (natural heritage inventory zone) or a REDOM zone, it must be compatible with the applicable requirements. For operations falling under a State aid scheme requiring an incentive effect, expenditure must not have been incurred before the application was submitted.

In the event of replanting following a disaster that caused a massive loss of young plants during the first year, formal recognition of the disaster by the public authorities is required; massive loss is defined as a survival rate below 20%.

5. ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURE

Expenditure is assessed according to the type of action and any restrictions set out in the call for projects.

For agroforestry systems, eligible expenditure may notably include:

  • Removal of pre-existing vegetation and soil preparation.
  • Purchase and planting of suitable forest plants, mulching and plant protection.
  • Thinning, pruning and protection of trees against grazing animals within an agroforestry system.
  • Soil studies, soil preparation and protection, preparation of the forest or wooded land.
  • Watering systems and tree protection installations.
  • Installation of beehives (shelter and swarm) to encourage pollination of certain forest species, while respecting the separation with intervention 70.29.
  • Small equipment such as chainsaws, thermal pruners, shredders and tillers, where their necessity and direct link to the installation or maintenance of the system are justified.
  • Replanting following a disaster under the conditions set out in the notice.

For non-agroforestry operations, eligible expenditure may notably include:

  • Fencing-off work and restoration of plot boundaries.
  • Creation or restoration of compartmentalisation contributing to the protection of species or ecosystems.
  • Plant material improving the resilience and environmental value of forest ecosystems, as well as planting costs.
  • Occasional maintenance of plantations or regeneration: pre-commercial thinning, pruning, thinning and removal of unwanted species, under the conditions set out.
  • Creation or restoration of riparian forests (ripisylves).
  • Retention of senescent trees.
  • Protective fencing of ecological habitats of eco-regional interest.
  • Control of an invasive species.
  • Pilot operations in favour of species or habitats: feeding areas, protective shelters, seed trees, corridors.
  • Investments relating to public access to forest areas and sporting activities.

Overheads: feasibility studies, preliminary diagnostics and general support for the application may be taken into account within the limit of 10% of total eligible expenditure.

A simplified cost option may cover staff and self-build costs at a flat rate of 20% of the operation's direct expenditure, under certain conditions. An explanatory note must justify the existence and necessity of this expenditure. This option does not apply in certain public procurement situations above European thresholds.

6. INELIGIBLE EXPENDITURE AND CEILINGS

  • Land purchase is explicitly ineligible.
  • The other general FEADER exclusions apply.
  • Small equipment investments are capped at €100,000 excluding tax.
  • Overheads are capped at 10% of total eligible expenditure.
  • If the ceilings are reached, the regional managing authority reserves the right to cap the aid awarded.

7. FUNDING

  • FEADER budget allocated to the intervention: €1,900,000 for the 2023–2027 programming period.
  • Minimum amount of projected expenditure presented with the application: €15,000 excluding tax. Failure to comply makes the application ineligible.
  • Maximum public aid rate: 80% for private businesses, farmers and associations; 70% for other beneficiaries.
  • FEADER co-financing: 85% of the public aid amount.
  • An advance of up to 50% may be paid if the aid is covered by an agreement.
  • State aid or de minimis schemes may reduce the applicable rates depending on the nature of the project.
  • The intervention allows the assignment of supplier receivables, according to the procedure set out in the applicant's guide.

These rates are ceilings and do not constitute a guarantee of award at the maximum rate. The overall budget of the scheme does not constitute an individual ceiling per beneficiary.

8. SELECTION

Selection is mainly carried out through calls for projects and, to a lesser extent, on a rolling basis. Applications are scored and ranked based on a weighted grid. Notice V1 sets a minimum threshold of 165 points.

For agroforestry projects, the criteria notably favour organic farming, approaches without chemical inputs, ecological continuity, soil and water protection, biodiversity and the conservation of natural, cultural and landscape heritage.

For non-agroforestry operations, the criteria notably concern ecological continuity, soil and water quality, habitat protection and strengthening biodiversity.

Calls for projects may restrict eligible expenditure or set additional criteria. The timetable and submission terms must therefore be checked before submission.

9. OPERATIONAL READING FOR CAPITAL OS MATCHING

Projects to prioritise:

  • Agroforestry: planting trees on an agricultural plot, crops under forest cover, restoring a forest plot through an agroforestry system.
  • Forest restoration: rehabilitating degraded or damaged stands, regeneration, suitable plantings.
  • Biodiversity: controlling invasive species, protecting threatened species, restoring corridors and habitats.
  • Water and soil: riparian forests, erosion control, plantings contributing to the protection of water resources.
  • Public access: non-productive investments in forest areas for public access or sporting activities.

Qualification filters to apply: location in Guadeloupe; beneficiary category; minimum projected expenditure of €15,000 excluding tax; control and location of the site; technical study; regulatory compatibility; suitability of expenditure to the type of action; non-productive status in the short and medium term for non-agroforestry operations; availability and rules of the call for projects.

Do not equate the scheme with general aid for landscaping or the financing of a conventional commercial forestry activity. The purpose of environmental preservation or restoration must be demonstrable.

10. OFFICIAL SOURCES

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