The Programme for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas of Montenegro within IPARD III 2021–2027 was developed on the basis of strategic and other necessary documents related to agriculture and rural development, as well as a socio-economic analysis drawing on previously conducted sectoral studies (meat sector, milk sector, fruit and vegetable sector, wine sector, olive sector, and fisheries and diversification of economic activities), and a SWOT analysis of Montenegrin agriculture and rural areas. Based on these analyses, measures were proposed whose implementation will enable the use of IPA III funds in the field of agriculture and rural development.
Through the implementation of the IPARD III Programme, Montenegrin farmers will have access to a total of EUR 81,975,947 in grant funding, of which EU funds amount to EUR 63,000,000 (representing a 62% increase compared to the previous IPARD II Programme), while national co-financing amounts to EUR 18,975,947.
Including beneficiaries’ own contributions, the implementation of the IPARD III Programme is expected to result in total investments of approximately EUR 128 million in Montenegrin agriculture.
The objective of the approved measures is to improve competitiveness, increase the added value of products, create new jobs, improve living conditions in rural areas, strengthen links with tourism, improve rural infrastructure, provide support through agri-environment-climate measures and organic production measures, as well as measures for afforestation and forest protection. The Programme includes the following support measures:
MEASURE 1 – Investments in the physical capital of agricultural holdings
MEASURE 3 – Investments in physical capital related to the processing and marketing of agricultural and fisheries products
MEASURE 4 – Agri-environment-climate measures and organic production measures
MEASURE 5 – Implementation of local development strategies – LEADER approach
MEASURE 6 – Investments in rural public infrastructure
MEASURE 7 – Farm diversification and business development
MEASURE 9 – Technical assistance
MEASURE 11 – Afforestation and forest protection
In the final definition of the selected measures, eligibility criteria, possible project investments, limitations, as well as minimum and maximum project values, a series of consultative meetings were held during the preparation of the Programme with all partners, including associations of agricultural producers, individual farmers, representatives of the processing industry, municipal agricultural advisory services, international donor organizations operating in Montenegro, and relevant non-governmental organizations.
The objective of the Programme is to prepare Montenegrin farmers for EU accession by maximizing the use of IPA III funds in the field of agriculture and rural development. This will result in improved product quality, increased production volumes, enhanced competitiveness, and the achievement of EU food safety standards in both the primary production and processing sectors. The Programme will finance investments in the modernization of agricultural holdings, improvement of existing and construction of new processing capacities, enhancement of rural infrastructure, development of rural tourism, and afforestation and forest protection.
These objectives are fully aligned with the Strategy for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2022–2028. In addition, the Programme is aligned with the objectives of the new EU Common Agricultural Policy.
The European Commission adopted the IPARD III Programme on 29 June 2022.
The team responsible for preparing the Programme consisted of representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) and other relevant institutions forming the complete institutional framework for the implementation of agricultural and rural development policy in Montenegro. Within the Ministry, the Directorate for Rural Development – Managing Authority was responsible for drafting and coordinating the entire Programme preparation process.
The valid versions of the Programme can be downloaded at link.
