Abstract
In this study, European Union Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance in Rural Development (IPARD) Programme and the fundamental differences between the rural development aids implemented in earlier period in Turkey and IPARD funds are examined. The objective of rural development aids is to improve the infrastructure investments in rural areas, to improve the living conditions of rural areas, to increase employment and the product quality similar to IPARD objectives. On the other hand, besides these objectives the main IPARD objective is to contribute to the upgrading of the enterprises to the Community standards. In the course of time, IPARD is expected to contribute more for locating the project culture in our country and increasing the use of funds and rural development.