Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA)

Since 2007, both candidate countries and potential candidates have received focused EU funding and support through a single channel – the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, or IPA. The total pre-accession funding for the period 2007-2013 is € 11.5 billion.

In order to achieve the objectives of each candidate and potential candidate as effeciently as possible, IPA  consists of the following five components:

Component I (Transition Assistance and Institution Building) provides financing for institution-building and associated investments. It supports measures to drive stabilisation and the transition to a democratic society and market economy. Component I is open to all candidates and potential candidates and is managed by Directorate-General Enlargement.

Component II (Cross-Border Cooperation) supports cross-border cooperation between candidates and potential candidates and with EU Member States.  It may also fund participation in transnational cooperation programmes (under the Structural Funds) and Sea Basin programmes (under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument or ENPI).  Component II is open to all candidates and potential candidates and is managed by DG Enlargement and DG Regional Policy.

Component III (Regional Development) finances investments and associated technical assistance in areas such as transport, environment and economic cohesion. It is open to candidate countries only and is managed by Directorate-General Regional Policy.

Component IV (Human Resources Development) aims to strengthen human capital through education and training and to help combat exclusion. It is open to candidate countries only and is managed by Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

Component V (Rural Development) contributes to sustainable rural development. It provides assistance for the restructuring of agriculture and its adaptation to EU standards in the areas of environmental protection, public health, animal and plant health, animal welfare and occupational safety. It is open to candidate countries only and is managed by Directorate-General Agriculture and Rural Development.

Assistance through IPA can take the following forms:

  • Investment, procurement, contracts or subsidies
  • Administrative cooperation, involving experts sent from Member States (e.g. twinning)
  • Action by the EU in the interest of the beneficiary country
  • Measures to support the implementation process and programme management
  • Budget support (granted exceptionally and subject to supervision)

Commission Proposal for a revised Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) (7 December 2011)
Regulation on implementing rules applying to all external action instruments

Legal basis

The legal basis for this assistance is Council Regulation 1085/2006 , adopted on 17 July 2006. More detailed implementing rules are laid down in Commission Regulation 718/2007 of 12 June 2007 and in Commission Regulation 80/2010 of 28 January 2010.