The Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, or simply IPA, is a funding mechanism of the European Union.
As of 2007, it replaced previous programmes such as the PHARE, ISPA, SAPARD and CARDS.
Unlike the previous assistance programs, IPA offers funds to both EU candidate countries (Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine) and potential candidates (Bosnia and Kosovo).
A third regulation ("IPA III") covering 2021-2027 is currently being negotiated.
The current proposal allocates EUR 14.2bn to fund Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.