CARDS

The CARDS (eng. Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation) Programme has been established by the European Community in 2000 as a single instrument for financial and technical assistance replacing other assistance mechanisms intended for Southeastern Europe. The CARDS programme underpins the objectives and mechanisms of the Stabilisation and Association Process, which is the EU policy framework for the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo (as defined by the UN Security Council Resolution 1244)) until full membership of the EU.

CARDS is a programme financed by the EC that was aimed at strengthening Croatia's participation in the Stabilization and Association Process with particular reference in strengthening of:

• integrated border control
• support to democratic stabilisation and increasing the capacity of state institutions
• regional infrastructure and environment protection

The CARDS programme is divided on national and regional component. The national component is intended for beneficiary countries whereas the regional component is intended for strengthening cooperation of countries within the region.

Croatia, as a candidate country, is benefiting from pre-accession financial assistance while remaining eligible for participation in the CARDS regional programme. Croatia has been benefiting from CARDS for budgetary year 2001-2004, during the period of which EUR 262 million were allocated. However, the Central Finance and Contracting Unit, within the Ministry of Finance, has been in charge for contracting CARDS 2003 and CARDS 2004 programme within the decentralised management system. The contracting resulted in a high percentage - EUR 28.685.855,95 worth contracts were contracted within CARDS 2003, i.e. 97.7% of the means; EUR 44.065.284,16 worth contracts were contracted within CARDS 2004, even 94,61% of the means.

Implementation of the CARDS projects is foreseen until 31 December 2009.