A new campaign aims to inform Albanians about the EU’s financial assistance to agriculture – which amounts to a total of €100 million every year. It has a special focus on support to youth, farmers, agri-business and entrepreneurs benefiting from the IPARD – the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for Rural Development – programme.

At the launch ceremony, the EU Ambassador to Albania, Luigi Soreca, said: “Agriculture is a key area of support for the EU in Albania. The reasons are clear. Not only does agriculture have a special part in the history and identity of Albania, but almost 40% percent of the Albanian population live in rural areas, and almost half of the Albanian workforce works in agriculture and connected sectors. Recognising the importance of this sector, in just the last 5 years the EU has made available over €70 million to support rural economy, agribusiness, food safety, veterinary and fisheries. The size of this investment qualifies the EU as by far the biggest supporter of the Albanian agro-food sector.”

EU support to agriculture and rural development in Albania is delivered mainly through the IPARD programme implemented on behalf of the EU by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and its structures. Support primarily takes the form of direct grants.  Since 2018, more than 400 farmers and agribusinesses in Albania have been awarded EU grants under IPARD with a combined value of €50 million.