SAPARD is an acronym for the Special Accession Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development. It is an agricultural and rural development program implemented by the European Union (EU) to support and fund projects in candidate countries for EU membership.
SAPARD aims to facilitate the modernization and development of the agricultural sector in these candidate countries, as well as the improvement of rural infrastructures and quality of life in rural areas. The program is designed to assist these countries in aligning their agricultural and rural sector with EU standards and practices.
The objectives of SAPARD include enhancing the competitiveness of agriculture by promoting investments in agricultural equipment, technology, and infrastructure. It also focuses on promoting diversification in rural economies by supporting the development of non-agricultural activities such as rural tourism or small-scale processing industries. Additionally, SAPARD aims to improve agricultural and food quality, safety, and traceability.
Under SAPARD, eligible projects may receive financial support for activities such as farm modernization, investments in agro-processing, rural infrastructure development, and environmental protection measures. The selection and approval of projects are typically based on criteria related to their potential benefits, sustainability, and contribution to overall rural development.
SAPARD played a significant role in assisting candidate countries to meet the EU's agricultural and rural development standards, thus preparing them for their eventual accession to the EU.
