Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA)

The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) is the means by which the EU supports reforms in the 'enlargement countries' with financial and technical help. The IPA funds build up the capacities of the countries throughout the accession process, resulting in progressive, positive developments in the region. For the period 2007-2013 IPA had a budget of some €11.5 billion; its successor, IPA II, will build on the results already achieved by dedicating €11.7 billion for the period 2014-2020.

Current beneficiaries are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey.

Pre-accession assistance: an investment in

+ Public administration reform
+ Rule of law
+ Sustainable economy
+ People
+ Agriculture and rural development

IPA II (2014-2020)

Prepared in partnership with the beneficiaries, IPA II sets a new framework for providing pre-accession assistance for the period 2014-2020.

The most important novelty of IPA II is its strategic focus. Country Strategy Papers are the specific strategic planning documents made for each beneficiary for the 7-year period. These will provide for a stronger ownership by the beneficiaries through integrating their own reform and development agendas. A Multi-Country Strategy Paper will address priorities for regional cooperation or territorial cooperation.

IPA II targets reforms within the framework of pre-defined sectors. These sectors cover areas closely linked to the enlargement strategy, such as democracy and governance, rule of law or growth and competitiveness. This sector approach promotes structural reform that will help transform a given sector and bring it up to EU standards. It allows a move towards a more targeted assistance, ensuring efficiency, sustainability and focus on results.

IPA II also allows for a more systematic use of sector budget support. Finally, it gives more weight to performance measurement: indicators agreed with the beneficiaries will help assess to what extent the expected results have been achieved.

• Primary Source

European Commission: SCADPLUS: Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/agriculture/enlargement/e50020_en.htm

European Commission: DG Regional Policy: Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/thefunds/ipa/index_en.cfm

Wikipedia: Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrument_for_Pre-Accession_Assistance

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