The European Parliament and the Council agreed on the 14 billion EUR budget for the new Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) for the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework period. According to the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET), the upgraded pre-accession instrument strengthens conditionality regarding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, envisaging the suspension of assistance in government backtracking in the areas. It further asserted that IPA III would increase strategic communication and the fight against disinformation and will contribute to the cross-cutting goals of climate and environmental protection, human rights, and gender equality. The revised fund also predicts improved donor coordination and consultations with CSOs and local and regional authorities. Read more here.
Source: European Western Balkans