Case Study #1: Collective contract between agrarian cooperative and farmer members in the Netherlands

Since 2016, only joint applications through agrarian/nature collectives have been eligible for subsidies for agri-environmental management in the Netherlands. The agrarian collective submits a ‘territorial application’ that specifies which agri-environmental activities the collective will perform in their territory, and how these will contribute to the realization of the goals of the provincial nature management plan. Collective subsidies are granted only after the territorial application has been approved by the province. In EFFECT, Noardlike Fryske Wâlden (NFW) is the agrarian collective that on behalf of its members submits a territorial application for agri-environmental subsidies and makes agreements with farmer-members on agri-environmental management practices and remuneration. The report on EFFECT Case Study #1 includes stakeholders’ interviews to explore, the pros, cons, opportunities and priorities in this area.