Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance
The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, or simply IPA, is a funding mechanism of the European Union. As of 2007, it replaced previous programmes such as the PHARE, ISPA, SAPARD and CARDS. Unlike the previous assistance programs, IPA offers funds to both EU candidate countries (Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey) and potential candidates (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Kosovo*).
The previous IPA Regulation covering the period 2007-2013 ("IPA I") was replaced in March 2014 by a new regulation ("IPA II") covering the period 2014-2020. The overall budget allocation for IPA II is EUR 11.7bn. The new regulation streamlined the rules governing access to IPA funds for candidate countries and potential candidates.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.