In order to support the Stabilisation and Association Process in the Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia-Montenegro and FYR Macedonia), the European Union has created the CARDS Programme (Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation), as defined by Council Regulation 2666/2000 (ОЈ, L 306, 07.12.2000).

CARDS Programme foresees assistance for:

- reconstruction, aid for refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as for the stabilisation in the region.
- sustainable economic development and market economy orientated reforms;
- building an institutional and legislative framework to underpin democracy, the
rule of law, human and minority rights, reconciliation, consolidation of
civil society, independence of the media and strengthening the measures to combat organised crime.
- social development;
- fostering regional, trans-national, cross border and interregional co-operation

The CARDS Programme assistance is defined by the Country strategy paper for Serbia and Montenegro, which covers the period 2000-2006.

Financial allocation by sectors/areas is defined by the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme, which covers the period of 2000-2004 in the total amount of 960 million Euros and 31 million Euros from the regional CARDS Programme. The European Agency for Reconstruction is responsible for the management of these funds.

For further information on the financed projects please log on to the web site of the Information System for the Management of International Assistance (ISDACON).