IPARD Program
IPARD program, by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) for Rural Development has been implemented in Albania since 2012 as “IPARD like” and then the IPARD II program has started and is being implemented (2014-2020), with a fund of 94 million Euro of which 75% EU contribution and 25% state budget contribution.
IPARD provides EU candidate countries with assistance in implementing multi-years programs by contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector and rural areas and in preparing them for EU policy and laws implementation.
IPARD II Funds are managed by the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) and the Management Authority at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MBZHR) under the IPARD II Program, and aim to support investment to increase competitiveness in agribusiness and gradual approximation to EU standards.
The program aims to support farmers, union agricultural associations, food processing plants, individuals, legal entities, micro and small private non-agricultural enterprises that invest in the agricultural sector.
Investments include production and processing in the sectors of dairy, meat, fruits and vegetables, vineyards; investments can be made in aquaculture, as well as in services for the population of rural areas, natural tourism, and renewable energy production.
The first call was from November 30, 2018 to January 30, 2019, and 119 investments were made in agriculture and rural development with a grant value of 22 million Euro and total investments of 39 million Euro. Most of these investments are still being implemented.
In the second call for applications, which was open during the period October 30, 2019 - January 15, 2020, over 370 new applications were submitted, marking an increase of about 20% compared to the first call. The fund available is 58 million Euro. The Grant Fund supports 50-70% of the total eligible investment costs.
The third call is expected in late 2020.
The IPARD program has been transformative for the agricultural sector of many countries in the Balkan region.
For more information: www.azhbr.gov.al; www.ipard.gov.al; www.bujqesia.gov.al