The general project objectives were to ensure an effective use of SAPARD aid, and to maximize the Programme`s positive impact, to increase the absorption capacity of SAPARD funds, and to strengthen the administrative and managerial capacity of the National Agricultural Extension Agency (ANCA). ANCA should be urgently enabled to assist a critical mass of applicants for SAPARD aid to design and implement projects financed through decentralised EU assistance programmes. Main project activities were:

• To increase the capacity of final beneficiary of the programme to successfully access the community funds by increasing their knowledge and capacity to formulate projects proposals;
• Reinforcement of professional competence of personnel in ANCA at central level and County Agricultural Extension Centres (OJCA) country-wide, by provision of technical assistance and training of trainers, in view of raising the advisors` ability to offer specialised consultancy and coaching to potential beneficiaries of SAPARD projects (identification of the potential investments, elaboration of the SAPARD application forms and assistance over the SAPARD projects implementation period);
• Training in Project Cycle Management (PCM) for the ANCA personnel involved in the implementation of SAPARD measure 4.1 Vocational training;
• Support in the elaboration of training needs assessment and training plans for ANCA staff;
• Transparency of SAPARD implementation in Romania is also to be increased, through provision by ANCA of adequate information and consultancy to rural producers.