The instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) represents assistance to potential candidate countries for membership in the European Union and countries with the status of candidate for membership to implement the process of stabilization and association in accordance with their specificities. The priority area of ​​this program is: agriculture and rural development. The program is intended for candidate countries with the aim of preparing for the implementation and management of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. The decision of the European Commission No. S(2022)1537 of March 9, 2022 adopted the IPARD III program of the Republic of Serbia for the period 2021-2027.

Funding opportunities of the IPARD III program will contribute to the achievement of the thematic priority: “contributing to the safety and security of food supply and the maintenance of diverse and sustainable agricultural systems in vibrant rural communities and the countryside”.

The IPARD III program will also contribute to the achievement of the following goals:

1. Increasing the competitiveness of the agricultural and food sector, improving the efficiency and sustainability of production on agricultural farms, which will enable a better response to society’s demands for safe, sustainable and high nutritional value food;
2. Stimulating business development, growth and employment in rural areas, improving the position of agricultural producers in the value chain and attracting young people to agriculture;
3. Contribution to mitigating climate change and encouraging sustainable management of natural resources;
4. Improving community development and social capital in rural areas;
5. Building a modern, efficient and transparent public administration for agriculture and rural development.

The goals should be achieved by developing human and physical capital, increasing food safety and the ability of the agri-food sector to cope with competitive pressure, as well as progressive harmonization of the sector with EU standards, especially those that concerning hygiene and the environment, taking into account the balanced territorial development of rural areas.

Of the 13 measures offered by the European Commission to the candidate countries for EU membership, the Republic of Serbia decided to implement seven measures within the IPARD III program. Users have already become familiar with four measures during the implementation of the IPARD II program cycle:

Measure 1 – Investments in the physical assets of agricultural farms – significant support for investments in material assets and technical improvements (construction of buildings and procurement of agricultural machinery), strengthening the position of farmers in the food chain and providing support to young farmers increases the efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability of agricultural production in the agri-food sector.

Measure 3 – Investments in physical assets related to the processing and marketing of agricultural and fishery products: by supporting investments in the modernization of processing capacities in accordance with relevant EU standards, it increases the competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the food industry, providing a better response of the food sector to social demands for healthy food, including food that is safe, of high nutritional value and sustainable.

Measure 7 – Diversification of agricultural holdings and business development: aims to increase the level of development of economic activities in rural areas, through the diversification of agricultural activities, the establishment of small businesses and the creation of jobs in rural areas.

Measure 9 – Technical assistance: the measure supports technical assistance and costs related to the implementation of the IPARD program. The aim of this measure is to help in the implementation and monitoring of the program, as well as in its eventual modification.

The measures were extended to new sectors, such as the fishing sector, the sector for processing grains and industrial plants, and with support for rural tourism, the sectors of direct sales of agricultural and local products and the service sector in rural areas were introduced. Three new measures are being prepared:

Measure 4 – Agro-ecological-climate measure and organic production provides a contribution to the sustainable management of natural resources and adaptation to climate change and its mitigation by applying agricultural production methods that are consistent with the protection and improvement of the environment, natural resources, including water, air, soil, biodiversity, landscape and its characteristics, which exceed the relevant mandatory standards.

Measure 5 – Implementation of local rural development strategies – LEADER approach – through the engagement of a greater number of private and public partners from different sectors and the evaluation of resources at the local level in accordance with the LEADER approach, community development is improved, social capital is increased and the economic, social, cultural and ecological aspects of the local area are improved.

Measure 6 – Investments in rural public infrastructure – through the development of physical infrastructure in the Republic of Serbia and facilitating development, growth and employment in the community in rural areas, the measure provides support for economic, social and territorial development, which leads to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

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Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.

Registered agricultural holdings from the sectors covered by the individual measure.

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Administration for Agrarian Payments
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management
Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 113 a, 11070 Belgrade
IPARD
Phone: +381 11 31 07 013
E-mail: ipard.info@minpolj.gov.rs
Web address: https://uap.gov.rs/ipard-iii-podrska-ruralnom-razvoju/

You can find all relevant documents on the website: https://uap.gov.rs/ipard-iii-podrska-ruralnom-razvoju/