Three people have been indicted in Romania over alleged fraud involving 237 projects funded by the European Union to support small farms and young farmers. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Bucharest filed the indictment at the Bucharest Tribunal on 27 October 2026.

Prosecutors allege that a consultant submitted false and inaccurate documents in 237 applications to the Agency for Rural Investment Financing, on behalf of companies and family businesses. The funding came from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, which is intended to support the installation of young farmers and the development of small farms.

How much funding was involved

The total funding requested across the 237 applications was approximately €5.7 million. Of those projects, 170 received funding, resulting in an estimated damage to the EU budget of €3.5 million, according to the EPPO. The main defendant, a consultant arrested in May 2026, faces trial alongside two other individuals placed under judicial control.

If found guilty, the defendants could face prison sentences of up to 10 years. A further 30 people have admitted the offences and asked for plea agreements, while prosecutors say dozens more agreed, in exchange for commissions of 10% to 15% of project value, to allow applications to be submitted in their names.

Sources: European Public Prosecutor's Office, Wansom