Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)
The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) is the new financial instrument for all pre-accession activities funded by the European Commission as of January 1st 2007. IPA replaces previously existing pre-accession instruments: Phare, ISPA, SAPARD, Turkey instrument and CARDS, thus uniting them under a single legal basis for all pre-accession assistance.
IPA objectives and scope
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IPA, for the Financial Perspective period 2007-2013, has been designed to better adapt to different objectives of each beneficiary involved. It provides targeted and effective support according to their individual needs and progress. IPA, for the Financial Perspective period 2007-2013, has been designed to better adapt to different objectives of each beneficiary involved. It provides targeted and effective support according to their individual needs and progress.
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Beneficiaries
The beneficiary countries are divided into two categories: candidate countries already undergoing the accession process (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey) and potential candidate countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo under the UNSCR 1244).
IPA components
In order to achieve the objectives of the individual countries in the most efficient manner, IPA consists of five different components:
The first two of aforementioned components are available to all beneficiary countries; measures similar to the other components (III-V) may be carried out by potential candidate countries under component I.
IPA CBC programmes closely mirror the rules of EU Structural Funds and thus provide a learning opportunity for Western Balkan countries and all actors involved (structures, potential/final beneficiaries), preparing them for the EU Cohesion Policy.
Assistance under IPA Components III, IV and V aims at preparing candidate countries for participation in the Community’s cohesion as well as agriculture and rural development policies.
Multi-Beneficiary IPA
The bulk of this IPA support to the Beneficiaries will be delivered through the National Programmes. However, around 10% of available funds will be allocated through the Multi-Beneficiary Programmes to support Beneficiaries in their efforts towards EU accession.
The Multi-Beneficiary assistance will support political cooperation between countries, such as the Western Balkans; facilitate the participation by Beneficiaries in structures of common interest, and support the implementation of harmonised approaches to facilitate attaining economies of scale. The specific areas of intervention identified for Multi-Beneficiary assistance will build on the progress made to date, particularly with regard to alignment with the EU acquis and provide support to economic and social requirements.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence