1^st European Conference “EU funds – possibilities and opportunities” took place on October 1^st in Skopje. This conference was organized by the business weekly Kapital and the online portal Total with the main goal to present IPA objectives and available funds to the potential beneficiaries. The partner in the organization of the conference was the Delegation of the European Commission in Skopje.

CBIB office Skopje used this opportunity to present CBIB project and its activities in the Western Balkan region.

The conference was officially opened by Mr. Erwan Fouéré, Special Representative of the European Union and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission.

Conference was divided in three panels. During the first panel – “EU funds available for Macedonia” – the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance and its components were presented. The speakers from relevant EC and national institutions presented IPA objectives and its five components, explaining at the same time contractual procedures and mechanisms and available allocation of funds. The participants were informed about priorities already defined for each IPA component.

The second panel – “Expectations and needs of the potential IPA funds users” – was used as an opportunity to exchange of experience among the beneficiaries of previous EU programmes from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Slovenia.

The third panel – “IPARD – financing the rural development – chance for competitive agriculture” – focused on IPA component V – Rural Development.

Each panel was followed by discussion, questions and answers.

300 persons participated on the 1^st European Conference. The event was well covered by the national media (TV, newspapers and radio).

CBIB office had a presentation desk in the reception hall, with CBIB promotional items and brochures on IPA CBC and cross-border programme between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Albania. 100 info packages were distributed.

Conclusions and Lessons Leanred: