Department for the implementation of an instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA)

The instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA) is a key instrument of the pre-accession strategy of the European Commission. The main goal of the IPA is to help countries in their compliance with the standards and policies of the European Union, including the law of the European Union (acquis communautaire) in the process of their accession to the European Union, and also and to help these countries meet the pre-accession criteria, as well as the political, economic and legal Copenhagen criteria for EU membership, by strengthening the capacity of the administration and preparation for the programming, management and implementation of the cohesion, structural funds and funds for rural development of the EU after their accession to the Union.

IPA 2007-2013 (IPA I)

IPA was established as a result of the reform of the European Commission for external aid, where the legal framework for regulating relations was extended with the preparation of the financial perspective 2007-2013. The IPA was established as a single pre-accession instrument for the period 2007-2013, which replaced previous aid programs such as PHARE, ISPA, SAPARD, CARDS and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance to Turkey. IPA was established by Council Regulation no. 1085/2006 of 17.07.2006 (IPA Framework Regulation), while the rules for the implementation of IPA were established by Regulation of the European Commission No. 718/2007 of 12.06.2007 (IPA Implementation Regulation). Within the framework of IPA I several projects have been implemented.

IPA 2014-2020 (IPA II)

IPA in support of the European Union continued to function for the financial perspective/period 2014-2020, through the Instrument more widely known as IPA II.

The use of funds from IPA II is determined by the relevant Regulations (Regulation (EU) No. 231/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11.03.2014 on the establishment of IPA II (Official Gazette L, 15.03.2014), Regulation (EU) No. 236/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11.03.2014 on establishing common rules and procedures for the implementation of Union instruments for financing external action (Official Gazette L, 15.03.2014) and Regulation (EU) No. 447/2014 for the implementation of the special rules for the implementation of Regulation (EU) No. 231/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council Official Journal L 132, 03.05.2014). are managed in a decentralized manner whenever possible. Decentralized management of the funds from the IPA aid was established in order to enable the management of the funds by the aid beneficiary countries. During the decentralized management of IPA aid funds, the Commission of the European Union delegates part of its powers to the beneficiary country. Before making the decision on transferring the competences for decentralized management for a specific component, program or measure to the beneficiary country, the European Commission requires the fulfillment of certain criteria relating to the management and control systems, as well as the condition that national accreditations are passed and entered into force. Also, before the final transfer of competences for decentralized management, the Commission reviews again the national accreditations, procedures and structures of each of the bodies and authorities that are part of the IPA pre-accession aid management structure in the beneficiary country. The decision to transfer the competences for decentralized management of the IPA aid for the implementation of a certain program contains a list of checks that are carried out by the European Commission.

IPA 2021-2027 (IPA III )

The European Union adopted a set of regulations that regulate the rules for the implementation of the European Union's external aid instruments. Regulation 1529/2021 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III), was adopted on September 15, 2021. It regulates the general rules regarding IPA III assistance, the objectives and priority areas of assistance, strategic planning, implementation, the financial package and other provisions specific only to the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III). According to the structure, IPA III is divided into 5 windows and 17 thematic priorities namely:

• Window 1: Rule of law, fundamental rights and democracy;
• Window 2: Good governance, alignment of legislation, good neighborly relations and strategic communication;
• Window 3: Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity;
• Window 4: Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth and
• Window 5: Territorial and cross-border cooperation.

Within window 3: Green agenda and sustainable connectivity, thematic priorities 1 – Environment and climate change and 2 – Transport, digital economy, society and energy are foreseen.