Budget of € 11.698 million
Aims to pursue the general policy objective of supporting candidate and potential candidate countries in their preparations for EU membership and the progressive alignment of their institutions and economies with the standards and policies of the EU.
Assistance shall address the following policy areas: the transition process towards Union membership and capacity building; Regional development; Employment, social policies and human resources development; Agriculture and rural development; Regional and territorial cooperation
The Rural Development IPARD component is intended for candidate countries in the aim of preparation for implementation and management of EU Common Agricultural Policy. Main objectives are to improve market efficiency and implement Community standards
Official link: ec.europa.eu/enlargement/