# Balkan IPARD agricultural fund management

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-ipard-agricultural-fund-management
> Updated: 2026-10-25T13:20:27.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

In Montenegro, the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries reported that over 90 percent of IPARD funds were utilized in the previous year, with no funds returned to the European Union budget. The agency is currently focusing on establishing direct payment systems and training staff to meet European standards as part of Montenegro’s EU accession process.

In North Macedonia, the Payment Agency announced that new applications for the IPARD 3 program will open in December for specific measures. This follows a period of scrutiny after a corruption scandal involving the former director, Ilija Stoilev, which led to the suspension of European funds for Macedonian farmers. The agency has implemented new application procedures to prevent misuse and aims to pay out all outstanding subsidies by the end of the year.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: North Macedonia to reopen IPARD 3 agricultural fund applications in December

North Macedonia's Payment Agency will reopen IPARD 3 agricultural fund applications in December following a corruption scandal that previously suspended EU funding for the sector.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-to-reopen-ipard-3-agricultural-fund-applications-in-december

### 2026-09-27: Montenegro agricultural agency reports over 90% IPARD fund utilization

Montenegro's agricultural payment agency reported utilizing over 90% of IPARD funds last year with no funds returned to the EU, as it prepares for increased fund management during EU accession.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montenegro-agricultural-agency-reports-over-90-ipard-fund-utilization

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Cite as: Balkan IPARD agricultural fund management. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/balkan-ipard-agricultural-fund-management