Struga, 13 September 2023 (MIA) – Businessmen and farmers from Struga had a chance Wednesday to get acquainted with the opportunities and criteria for applying and using funds from the new IPARD III program, as part of the “IPARD III – New Opportunities for Macedonian Agriculture” campaign.

Viktor Mladenovski’s from the IPARD management sector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy clarified that the public call on measures 1 and 7 has been open since September 1, and will remain open until October 15, with an option to be extended until November 1, 2023.

“The IPARD program in the country is being implemented for 17 years now. In terms of the financial realization we aren’t satisfied with IPARD I, but it left a big impression on the Macedonian institutions, farmers and rural population, teaching them how to use IPARD. More than 80 percent of IPARD II funds have already been spent, the remaining are a part of the last IPARD II public call, which is currently ongoing. With its completion, we expect all funds to be used up. Once the funds are used up, it means the citizens have learned how to use funds, and know how to fulfill the standards and demands of the European Union,” said Mladenovski.

Jovanka Biljan from the “Biljanovi” meat company said they have thus far realized three IPARD projects. 

“The tasks are European. Even though IPARD is a single financial instrument that helps us cover some of our expenses through various measures, we should see the IPARD program as a long-term project that will raise the economic culture in the Macedonian economy to a higher level. The difficulties arise because a lot of documents are requested in our country, a precise procedure, with an accurate knowledge of what is necessary and how it should be done. We should learn to read, not only the applicant, but the entire business community to learn and to elevate the business climate to a higher level,” Biljan told MIA.

Photo: MIA