Successful implementation of the EU Twinning project in the sector of agriculture and rural development

The EU Twinning project "Capacity Building in the Agriculture and Rural Development Sector for the Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy in Montenegro" has been successfully implemented for almost two years, achieving key results in strengthening administrative capacities and improving the systems needed for the future management of CAP funds. The project significantly contributes to the modernization of the agricultural sector and accelerates Montenegro's alignment with European Union standards.

So far, over 70 expert missions have been carried out within the project, which confirms the extremely intensive and continuous engagement of experts from the EU and Montenegro. So far, over 150 experts from EU Member States have been engaged in Montenegro, with a significant number of them participating in several consecutive missions, providing support to all relevant organizational units of the Ministry.

Employees in the directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, especially those working on Chapter 11 Agriculture and Rural Development, actively follow the missions, participate in trainings and acquire new knowledge, which directly improves procedures and internal processes regarding programming and allocation of funds to support agriculture and rural development in accordance with the best European practices.

In order to exchange experiences and insight into the functioning of the European institutions, three study visits were organized – in Slovenia, in Hungary and in Austria. Also, within the activities, three trainings were held in EU countries (internships) for a total of five participants, which contributes to the development of young professionals and the creation of capacities for future management of processes within the Common Agricultural Policy.

The project runs for 30 months, from February 1, 2024 to July 31, 2026, with a total budget of €1,900,000, funded by the European Union. The activities are structured around three key components:

1. capacity building for the common market organisation, direct payments and rural development;
2. development and improvement of the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS);
3. Institutional development of the Payments Directorate towards the creation of a functional Paying Agency.

The project is implemented by the Paying Agency of the Republic of Austria – AgrarMarkt Austria as the leading institution in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management of the Republic of Austria, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty of the Republic of France, the Regional Chamber of Agriculture of Normandy, FranceAgriMer, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Hungary and the Paying Agency of the Republic of Hungary – Treasury, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia and Agency for Agricultural Markets and Rural Development of the Republic of Slovenia.