Özgür Ferhat raises Rodop CLLD/LEADER payment delays in parliament

Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat has brought long-delayed payments under the second call of the Rodop Development Agency’s CLLD/LEADER programme to the attention of the Greek Parliament, calling on the relevant ministries to clarify when beneficiaries will receive the funding they have been approved to receive.

Ferhat submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister of Rural Development and Food and the Minister of National Economy and Finance regarding delays affecting investors whose projects were approved under the second call of the CLLD/LEADER programme.

Although investment projects were approved under Decision No. 600, dated May 31, 2024, many beneficiaries have reportedly yet to receive the public funding allocated to them.

The parliamentary question highlights the financial pressure created by the delays. Investors who have completed or substantially implemented their projects have already undertaken significant financial obligations, while the outstanding payments are creating cash-flow difficulties and potentially affecting the sustainability of their investments.

"Beneficiaries have the right to know the payment schedule"
Ferhat stressed that timely disbursement of public funding is essential for the successful completion of investments and for strengthening the local economy in Rhodope.

He argued that beneficiaries who have been approved for support have the right to receive clear and specific information about when their payments will be made, while calling for the delays to be resolved as soon as possible.

Four questions submitted to the ministries
Ferhat asked the relevant ministries to provide answers to four key questions:

• When will payments be made to beneficiaries under the second call of the Rhodope
• Development Agency’s CLLD/LEADER programme?
• What are the reasons behind the delays in support payments?
• How many beneficiaries are still waiting for payment, and what is the total outstanding amount?
• What measures will be taken to ensure that payments to all beneficiaries are completed as soon as possible?

Ferhat said the state must meet its obligations to investors in a timely manner.

He also stressed that the effective and timely implementation of rural development programmes in Rodop is crucial for the region’s economic development, calling for the grievances of beneficiaries to be addressed and outstanding payments to be completed as quickly as possible.