The SAPARD experience and conclusions

Lengyel, Lajos

SAPARD as a pre-entry training program allows a number of useful conclusions to be drawn for the present and future. Some of these are as follows:

· A well-timed uptake of full SAPARD support was hindered by a belated creation of administrative institutions and lack of experience in drafting applications. The creation of an apparatus for preparing applications could save valuable time and thus pay for itself.

· The criteria for conditions of uptake were found to influence significantly the applicants’ intention.

· Development plans rated as significant from the point of view of long-term practice and in harmony with national priorities can be successful. The “three + two” action plan was an excellent choice. All these were justified by the action ratios of applications determined at various evaluation intervals (Table 4).

· A development at a projected cost of 138.54 billion HUF may be realized with a SAPARD support of 65.6 billion HUF. Within this, investment, reconstruction and expansion of existing capacity in agriculture and food industry represent a ration of 68%.

· On the basis of application numbers, projects and sums of support, and the specific index of the latter variable (million HUF/application) it can be stated that the size of farms, land and works affects the success of an application. In spite of a lack of self-finance, economic cooperatives seem to enjoy an advantage when they apply for support.

· Of various organizations among the winning applicants, local governments seem to be particularly successful (ration: 17%, their portion of support: 20%). The announcement of 1305 projects expanded their potentials for successful applications. Their projects are directed at improving the viability and infrastructure of the countryside (roads, sewers, drainages, informatics, etc).

· Clearly despite initial difficulties and significant problems the full sum of money required for realizing the objectives of the SAPARD program has been found on contractual basis. The execution of program will in the end resolve the problem of whether or not its practical accomplishments are in accordance with the initial objectives.

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