IPA Component III: Regional Development

Component III is open to candidate countries only (Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), potential candidates can benefit from similar measures implemented through component I. Within the European Commission, the Directorate-General for Regional Policy is responsible for Component III, which finances investments and associated technical assistance in areas such as transport, environment and economic development (i.e. measures similar to the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund).

Objectives of IPA Component III

The regional development component may support operations under the following priorities:

  • transport infrastructure, in particular interconnection and interoperability between national networks, and between national and trans-European networks;
  • environment measures related to waste management, water supply, urban waste water and air quality; rehabilitation of contaminated sites and land; areas related to sustainable development which present environmental benefits, namely energy efficiency and renewable energy;
  • operations which enhance regional competitiveness and a productive environment, and encourage creation and safeguarding of sustainable employment, involving in particular:
     
  1. provision of business and technology services for enterprises, particularly in the fields of management, market research and development and networking;
  2. access and use of information and communication technologies;
  3. promotion of technological development, research and innovation including through cooperation with tertiary education and research institutions and research and technology centres;
  4. development of business networks and clusters;
  5. creation and development of financing instruments which facilitate access to revolving financing through venture capital, loan and guarantee funds;
  6. provision of local infrastructure and services which contribute to facilitate establishment, development and expansion of new and existing business;
  7. education and training infrastructures, where necessary for regional development and in close coordination with the human resources development component.