What is EU Funding for?
The European Union aims at the extension of peace, democracy and prosperity in the world.
The 27-member Union builds partnerships with countries that share the same basic values of democracy, human rights and the market economy. The EU contributes financially to these countries’ economic and social development through a variety of financial instruments.
Some of these countries in Europe seek eventual EU membership. If accepted as candidate countries, they get increased financial support, called pre-accession funding.
The goal of EU pre-accession funding is to help candidate countries prepare for EU membership.
The membership criteria, known as the Copenhagen criteria, were established in 1993 to make sure that potential member states share the EU’s values, goals and policies and that they will be able to take full advantage of membership. The criteria refer to political, economic, legislative and administrative measures that need to be taken by the country to bring it closer to EU standards.
To achieve this, the EU helps candidate countries to establish the national public policies that have been applied successfully in EU member states over the years and which bring about a better standard of living for EU citizens.
EU financial support for Turkey is increasing rapidly 
The ultimate aim of pre-accession funds’ is to improve the lives of individuals.
However, the projects eligible for funding are mainly carried out by state institutions or non-governmental organizations. The institutions receiving EU funding are those in charge of designing and implementing public policies in fields ranging from health and education to infrastructure and rural development. A part of this funding is also channelled through civil society organisations supporting reform in these fields.
EU funding aims at long term progress
EU funding is not for quick-fix solutions. It aims at long-term changes of the society and economy as a whole. The pace of reform and that of the accession process are closely related.
Just as for building a house, a solid foundation is essential for a country’s long term well being.
Last update: 2.1.2008