Green Conditionality in the new CAP 2023-2027 links farmers’ income support with environmental and climate-friendly agricultural practices and standards, creating a “green architecture” of mandatory Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC), ecological programs and rural development measures.

This system aims to enhance sustainability, achieve the objectives of the EU Green Deal, such as climate change mitigation, resource management and biodiversity protection, and includes provisions for voluntary practices through eco-schemes to incentivise further green actions.

The objectives of Green Compliance are to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation to its impacts, to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources, including water, soil and air, to the conservation of biodiversity and landscape elements on all agricultural holdings and the fulfillment of the objectives of the EU’s broader environmental and climate strategy.

Farm Advisory Services refers to the provision of specialized advice and guidance to farmers to improve farming practices, increase productivity and the sustainability of the agricultural holding. Advisory services are offered by agronomists-advisors.

Agricultural consultants who work with farmers to achieve their agricultural goals. Improving yields, reducing costs, protecting the environment and enhancing the sustainability of agricultural operations.

Producer Organizations are groups of farmers who seek to strengthen their position in the market through cooperation, that is, their participation in a group with common characteristics such as the same production product for the purpose of cooperation. Producer Organizations operate to help producers reduce costs, improve the quality of their products and organize their marketing. These organizations are funded through a specific measure of the CAP for both their creation and operation, as well as for the purchase of equipment or the creation of premises.

The Performance Framework refers to the set of indicators used to monitor and evaluate the success of a program or organization. It includes all measurements of outputs and outcomes related to the program’s objectives, providing a comprehensive set of data for assessing its effectiveness and efficiency. It includes output indicators, e.g. how many people benefited, and outcome indicators, e.g. what was the change in their lives. Through the performance framework, progress is continuously monitored and the achievement of the objectives of the CAP programmes and measures is evaluated.

The protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity in rural areas is part of the priorities and objectives of the CAP 2023-2027. It includes the conservation of local plant and animal varieties that are adapted to the local environment, the practice of gentle agricultural practices in ways that minimize environmental impact and preserve the natural structure of the countryside, and the creation of an agricultural mosaic of habitats that support biodiversity. Important actions include implementing the EU 2030 biodiversity strategy, restoring degraded rural ecosystems, and strengthening knowledge through scientific research to understand the state of the natural environment.

The CAP encourages and funds several innovative agricultural practices such as vertical farming and hydroponics that allow the cultivation of agricultural products in controlled environments with minimal use of soil. Digital upgrading is also encouraged, such as automation in the field, farms and greenhouses, the installation of environmental factor recording systems, and the use of GPS and drones.

The CAP promotes the development of organic farming through almost all funding measures. The EU’s target for organic farming is for member states to have 25% of their agricultural land under organic production by 2023. Thus, through the CAP measures, there is support for farmers who join organic farming. Also, in all CAP measures, organic farmers and livestock breeders benefit from greater credit allocation.

The LEADER Programme includes measures related to agritourism. Such measures are the creation of agritourism accommodations in rural areas, the creation of agricultural theme parks, the creation of catering facilities and the creation of retail stores selling agricultural products.

Through the Leader program, both children and young people have the opportunity to receive training in the fields of Agrotourism and Rural Tourism, training in the marketing and promotion of local agricultural traditional products, training in traditional professions and traditional Cypriot handicrafts and Environmental Education and Awareness.

In all CAP measures, priority is given to rural areas that are remote. Communities at an altitude of over 400 meters, communities of Akamas and the Tylliria region have more points in both investment plans and young farmers, with the aim of attracting people to participate.