The Instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance – IPA was offered as an aid to the Republic of
Croatia for implementation of required reforms within its preparation for full membership
in the European Union. The assistance is aimed to support the set-up of a system for
efficient management of European Union funds. The IPA program was established by the
EU Council Regulation no. 1085/2006, which defines general principles and assistance
framework. Detailed provisions are defined in the Regulation no. 718/2007, made up of
five components: IPA-TAIB, IPA-CBC, IPA-RD, IPA-HRD and IPARD. Financial
framework of the Program is determined by the Multiannual Financial Framework of the
European Commission - MFF for each participating country in the IPA components. The
main objective of the IPARD program is to improve the agricultural sector and its market
efficiency according to the EU standards, to implement preparatory activities for
incorporation of agricultural and environmental measures and the LEADER, as well as to
develop rural economy. The IPARD program in the Republic of Croatia is carried out
through the Measure 101 “Investments in agricultural holdings to restructure and upgrade
to the EU standards”, Measure 103 “Investments in processing and marketing of
agriculture and fishery products to restructure and upgrade to the EU standards”, Measure
301 “Improvement and development of rural infrastructure”, Measure 302 “Development
and diversification of rural economic activities” and Measure 202 “Preparation and
implementation of local rural development strategies”. The objective of presented paper is
to overview the usage of IPARD funds in the Republic of Croatia in the period 2010-2013.