PROJECT TITLE:

EU for Agriculture and Rural Development, Kosovo

OVERALL OBJECTIVE:

The competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agri-rural sector is improved.

LOCATION:

Kosovo

SECTOR:

Private Sector

DURATION:

45-48 months (currently under discussion) With reservations - start date: 01.10.2025 With reservations - end date: 01.10.2029

VALUE:

8 Mio. EUR (EU Contribution 7 Mio. EUR, 87,5%, 1 Mio. EUR from BMZ)

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:

The main partner of the Action is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), and in particular the Agency for Agriculture Development (AAD) and Managing Authority (MA) as the designated Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD) Operating Structure (OS)

BENEFICIARIES:

Kosovo’s rural population, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in the agri-food sector, such as farmers and agro-processors and other rural enterprises as the direct target group.

ACTVITIES:

The Action comprises two Components with seven Outputs: Component 1: Preparation of the MAFRD OS for entrustment of IPARD III budget implementation tasks (IPARD accreditation). Component 2: Investment grants for the agri-food sector for improved competitiveness.

RESULTS:

Under Component 1: Output 1: The institutional and operational framework of the MAFRD OS regarding IPARD III accreditation preparation is improved. Output 2: Managing, paying, implementing and auditing functions of the AAD in accordance with the EU IPARD III requirements are consolidated. Output 3: Preparation and implementation functions of the MA for rural development programming in accordance with the EU IPARD III accreditation requirements are consolidated. Output 4: Inter-institutional procedures for cooperation between MAFRD OS and Technical Bodies (TB) regarding IPARD III implementation functions are strengthened. Under Component 2: Output 5: A pilot investment grant scheme for MSMEs in the agri-food sector in line with “IPARD-like” procedures is implemented. Output 6: Implementation capacity of the MAFRD OS regarding investment grants for MSMEs in the agri-food sector in line with IPARD requirements is improved. Output 7: Technical capacities of providers of agricultural advisory and business development services (BDS) with regard to the requirements for IPARD grants are strengthened.