The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development – IPARD II Programme (2014–2020) for the Republic of North Macedonia is an access to European Union funds earmarked for financial assistance for sustainable agriculture and rural development with a focus on the implementation of the European Union’s common agricultural legislation, policies and policies for competitive sustainable agriculture, strong and sustainable rural communities and a diverse and sustainable rural environment. Preparation of the Programme for utilizing funds from the European Union Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD) for the 2014-2020 period. The process of preparation of the IPARD II Programme 2014-2020 was carried out under the responsibility of the EU Pre-accession Assistance Management Department for Rural Development IPARD, in cooperation with the IPARD Agency and in constant consultation with all relevant stakeholders (national, regional, local and other public bodies, economic and social partners and all other relevant bodies representing civil society, non-governmental organizations, including environmental organizations, minority groups, interested parties, parties and bodies responsible for promoting equality between men and women). The IPARD II 2014-2020 Programme supports the following 5 measures:
The state offers 10 thousand EUROs to all those who will apply at the Payment Agency with a business plan to start a business in agriculture. Eligible for the support to start a business in agriculture would be any young farmer at the age between 18 and 40, who is starting in agriculture for the first time by taking over an existing agricultural holding or by establishing a new agricultural holding. The funds to be provided will depend on the applicant’s business plan. The farmers usually apply for funds to invest in new permanent crops, procurement of new equipment and agrobusiness development.
The Farmers’ Federation expects for these projects will provide significant progress in the agriculture and that the young people with their knowledge and modalities will significantly contribute for the development of agriculture in the Republic of North Macedonia
Eligible for support to start a business in agriculture would be any young farmer, who is starting in agriculture for the first time by taking over an existing agricultural holding or by establishing a new agricultural holding. In accordance with Article 67 from the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development support will be provided in line with the Measure 112 based on a business plan approved by the Agency that needs to envisage investment activities for modernisation of the agricultural holding for a period of three years at the most starting from the day the support is approved.