Period: 01.April -30. June 2026
During the second quarter, the legal proceedings concerning the misuse of funds from the IPARD program reached an initial court verdict. Although the case is still ongoing, this has not hindered the continued implementation of the IPARD program in Macedonia. In June, a new case came to light: the Financial Police filed criminal charges against five individuals and two legal entities for the attempted misuse of 50 million denars from the IPARD program. This news was released by the Financial Police Administration and subsequently reported by over 20 Macedonian media outlets.
Nevertheless, throughout these three months (April, May, and June), there was positive news regarding the renewed availability of IPARD program funds; five new contracts were signed, and the launch of new public calls was announced for the fourth quarter of 2026.
- On April 28, an official notification arrived from Brussels stating that funds from the IPARD program are once again available to Macedonian farmers.
This news was announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Cvetan Tripunovski, who urged farmers and the business community to apply once again to utilize funds from the IPARD program. This was the top story throughout the month of April. More than 34 Macedonian media outlets reported this positive development, using almost the exact same headline: “IPARD Program Funds Are Available Again”!
***The news is available at the following links:
https://press24.mk/tripunovski-so-dobri-vesti-za-zemjodelcite-ipard-sredstvata-povtorno-se-dostapni/
https://nezavisen.mk/tripunovski-ipard-sredstvata-povtorno-dostapni-za-makedonskite-zemjodelci/
https://www.vecer.press/ipard-sredstvata-povtorno-stanuvaat-dostapni-za-makedonskite-zemjodelczi/
- New public calls are announced for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The seventh meeting of the IPARD 2021–2027 Monitoring Committee took place on May 6th. During the meeting, Daniela Irotova Lazareva, Director of the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development, announced new public calls expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. This news was reported exclusively by the portal Agrotim and is available at the following link:
- Implementation of IPARD 3 Continues; 5 New Agreements Signed
Immediately following the lifting of the blockade by Brussels, five new agreements were signed under the IPARD programs. Following a six-month hiatus, Daniela Irotova Lazareva, Director of the Agency for Financial Support in Agriculture and Rural Development, signed the five agreements, which have a total value exceeding 62 million denars.
Applicants who submitted proposals under the 2024, call (02/24) pertaining to Measure 7 are required to fully implement their projects within the next 24 months. For projects that have already been completed and were awaiting payment, payment orders have now been submitted to the Treasury. This news was announced on the IPARD Agency’s website and shared in the media by the portals „Agrotim“ and „Zelena Berza“.
***The news is available at the following links:
- Domestic and Italian companies at a joint conference on strengthening agro-investments through IPARD 3
Organized by the Chamber of Commerce, a working event dedicated to the opportunities offered by the IPARD III program was held on May 20th. During the event, domestic and foreign representatives from the business sector had the opportunity to learn about new financing and modernization conditions within the agri-food industry. The event brought together a large number of local entrepreneurs, with the participation of eight Italian companies, who showcased their latest solutions, ranging from advanced technologies to modern meat-processing equipment, generating particular interest.
These technologies are now becoming accessible to Macedonian manufacturing companies, opening up new avenues for investment and the utilization of funds from the IPARD III program.
***The news is available at the following links:
