Skopje, 8 July 2021 (MIA) – The final public call from the IPARD 2 program involving farm diversification and business development has been issued, Minister of Agriculture Arijanit Hoxha and Nikica Bachovski, Director of the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development, announced on Thursday. Enterprises, craftsmen, farmers and rural entrepreneurs in general are invited to submit applications starting July 8 until August 22, they told a news conference. Total estimated financial support is EUR 9.6 million with a possibility to rise in the duration of the call. It is provided through EU funds (75%) with 25% being national co-financing. Total acceptable costs of the investments should not exceed 65%. The measure aims at stimulating job creation and increasing economic activities in rural areas by promoting rural tourism, protecting craftsmanship and motivating rural entrepreneurship, according to Bachovski. Sectors that are considered as priority for investments include alternative agricultural production, investments in production of food and non-food products, investments in craftsmanship, investments in rural population services and rural tourism. Minister Hoxha called on all interested individuals and companies to apply for the measure, stressing that high level utilization of EU funds for agriculture and rural development has been registered since the IPARD program has been introduced in the country. “For three years in a row, the funds have been completely used, nothing has been paid back. So far, 30% of the program’s funds have been paid and contracts have been signed for almost 80% of the funds,” said Hoxha. The Minister announced that activities are under way to prepare the 2021-2027 IPARD program, the so called IPARD 3 and North Macedonia is expected to be awarded more funds by 60% compared to IPARD 2. https://youtu.be/Y0EMyuG-41o