1.Measures under the rural development component shall be the subject of a programme to be drawn up at national level for agriculture and rural development (hereinafter referred to as ‘the programme’) covering the entire period of IPA implementation. The programme shall be prepared by the relevant authorities designated by the beneficiary country and shall be submitted to the Commission after consulting the appropriated interested parties.
2.Each programme shall include:
(a)a quantified description of the current situation showing disparities, shortcomings and potential for development, the main results of previous operations undertaken with Community and other bilateral or multilateral assistance, the financial resources deployed and the evaluation of results available;
(b)a description of the national rural development strategy proposed, based on an analysis of the current situation in the rural areas and on an in-depth analysis of the sectors concerned, involving independent expertise. A description of the existing training strategy referred to under Article 181(2) should be presented. The national rural development strategy shall also include quantified objectives, indicating for each of the priority axis set out under Article 171(1) the appropriated monitoring and evaluation indicators;
(c)an explanation of how the overall strategic approach and sectoral strategies identified in the multi-annual indicative planning document of the beneficiary country are translated into specific actions within the rural development component;
(d)an indicative overall financial table summarizing the national, Community and, where appropriate, the private financial resources provided for and corresponding to each rural development measure, as well as the EU co-financing rate by axis;
(e)a description of the measures chosen from Article 171 including:
(e)the definition of final beneficiaries,
the geographic scope,
the eligibility criteria,
the ranking criteria for selecting projects,
monitoring indicators,
quantified target indicators;
(f)a description of the operating structure for the implementation of the programme, including monitoring and evaluation;
(g)the names of the authorities and bodies responsible for carrying out the programme;
(h)the results of consultations and provisions adopted for associating the relevant authorities and bodies as well as appropriate economic, social and environmental partners;
(i)the results and recommendations of the ex ante evaluation of the programme, including the description of the follow-up undertaken by the beneficiary countries on recommendations.
3.In their programme, beneficiary countries shall ensure that priority is given to measures to implement the Community standards and to improve market efficiency, and measures to create new employment opportunities in rural areas.
4.In their programme, beneficiary countries shall ensure compliance with the provisions of the multi-annual indicative planning document.
5.Unless otherwise agreed with the Commission, beneficiary countries shall submit their programme proposals no later than six months after the entry into force of this Regulation.
1.The programmes under the rural development component shall be adopted by the Commission within six months of submission of the proposal of the programme, provided that all relevant information is available. In particular, the Commission shall appraise the proposed programme to determine whether it is consistent with this Regulation.
2.The programme may, if necessary, be amended to take due account of:
(a)relevant new information and results relating to the implementation of the actions concerned, including the results of monitoring and evaluation, as well as the need to adjust the amounts of aid available,
(b)the beneficiary country's progress towards accession as indicated in the main accession documents, including the multi-annual indicative planning document.
3.Any proposal for amendments shall be submitted to the Commission by the beneficiary country and shall be duly substantiated, and shall include the following information:
(a)the reasons for the proposed amendment;
(b)the expected effects of the amendment;
(c)amended financial and measure tables, where the proposed amendments are of a financial nature.
4.Substantial changes with the meaning of Article 14(4) of the IPA Regulation include amendments which involve changes of financial breakdowns among priority axes as referred in Article 171(1) or the co-financing rate by axis or the inclusion of new measures.
5.The Commission may request beneficiary countries to present a proposal for amending the programme where relevant Community legislation has been amended.