Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession

The Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession ( ISPA short of English Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession ) was one of three programs with which the European Union supported the preparations for accession of the candidate countries.

Legal basis of ISPA was the Council Regulation ( EC) No 1267 /1999 of 21 June 1999 establishing an Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-Accession. The claim was extinguished with the final accession of a country.

The ISPA program was replaced on 1 January 2007 under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

Target position

In addition to the programs PHARE, ISPA and SAPARD was used for structural funding infrastructure projects in the fields of environment and transport and to improve the economic and social cohesion in these areas. For the period 2000-2006 there was an annual budget of EUR 1.04 billion. Funded measures had, in accordance with the obligations of the Accession Partnership, as well as with national efforts to implement the acquis communautaire are.

Operation

The funded projects ( with a minimum volume of EUR 5 million) were carried out by public or similar establishments, who were commissioned by the national competent authorities (a type of ISPA NCU). Member countries were against the Commission (DG Regional Policy) accountable.

After receipt of applications for assistance from the countries in question, the Commission adopted the opinion of its Management Committee (representatives of the Member States and chaired by a Commission representative ) a decision to be funded.

The promotion was made as a non-repayable direct assistance, as repayable assistance or in another form. Were financed up to 75 % of project costs, an increase to 85 % by the Management Committee of the Commission was possible. The level of funding has been adjusted according to the co-financing. Preliminary studies and technical support measures, which were carried out on the initiative of the Commission, could be funded in the amount of up to 100% of the total eligible costs.

The European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions were informed by the Commission annually of the ISPA funding measures.