The overall objective of the project is to: strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food (MAPF) to implement its new National Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Strategy and Action Plan (2015 - 2020) and therefore its capacity to translate risks and opportunities of the Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) into effective ARD policies and programmes, comply with its obligations under the mentioned agreements and effectively guide, support and monitor the implementation of its EU Approximation agenda.

The specific objectives of the Project are as follows:
- To strengthen the capacity of the Government to finalise and effectively implement its Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy within the framework of the Association Agreement and DCFTA;
- To establish effective Agriculture and Rural Development Policy, Strategy, Programming, Budgeting, Implementation and Monitoring structures, Systems and Procedures within MAPF/MoEDTA/MEE and bodies subordinated;
- To improve the Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) budgetary process along the whole budget cycle from budget preparation, execution and reporting, monitoring, evaluation and internal control;
- To establish an evidence-based approach and institutional arrangement for the prioritisation, management, drafting, monitoring and assessment of legal and regulatory initiatives, in line with ARD sector strategic priorities and EU-Ukraine Association Agreement and DCFT.

Component 1: ARD Strategic Planning, Programming and Management and Execution
Result 1.1 Functional review of MAPF undertaken and consulted, with agreed recommendations used to prepare an Institutional Restructuring Plan (IRP) to guide MAPF modernisation and reorganisation actions and to define project institutional capacity building plans.
Result 1.2. MAPF Reform Support Team (RST) and Secretariat established and supported.
Result 1.3. Inter-ministerial body on ARD strategic management and policy coordination established and supported.
Result 1.4. Establishment of an effective institutional structure, system and procedure for the design, development and implementation of a National Agriculture and Rural Development Programme(s).
Result 1.5. Completed and agreed design and establishment of a robust RST planning, monitoring and reporting system.
Result 1.6 Functional review completed of MAPF/MoEDTA/MEEP Agencies and subordinate bodies undertaken and consulted, with agreed recommendations used to prepare Institutional Restructuring Plans to guide future modernisation and reorganisation activities and to define institutional capacity building needs and actions.
Result 1.7. Targeted modernisation and reorganisation activities undertaken to enhance institutional capacities with a particular focus on the Fisheries Agency.
Result 1.8. Region and district level capacities, services and systems assessed through targeted reviews in selected regions.
Result 1.9. Recommendations for changes in functions, systems and procedures developed, which will support the delivery of targeted MAPF/MoEDTA policy interventions in regions and districts.
Result 1.10. Targeted pilot interventions / measures at regions/districts level to test the relevance and effectiveness of programme design and delivery systems and to guide roll-out on a national level.

Component 2: ARD Financial Management, Budgeting, Accounting, Audit and Control.
Result 2.1 The capacity of MAPF in applying modern strategic planning and budgeting methods, procedures and instruments is strengthened.
Result 2.2. The MAPF’s internal control procedures and standards are strengthened.
Result 2.3. Capacity of MAPF in public procurement is strengthened.
Result 2.4. Design and preparation of a generic tender package for the establishment of a robust IT system for financial management and control.

COMPONENT 3: SUPPORT FOR LEGAL DRAFTING, APPROXIMATION AND REGULATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT
Result 3.1. Inventory of ARD existing, draft and planned legislation updated and categorised.
Result 3.2. Methodology developed and agreed for prioritisation and sequencing of preparation of new legislation.
Result 3.3. Draft laws developed, primarily through Technical Working Groups, using agreed procedures and methodologies in targeted priority areas, as agreed within the legal drafting.
Result 3.4. Enhanced cooperation of MAPF/MoEDTA with the VR Committee on Agricultural Policy and Land Issues and other relevant Parliamentary and Executive Committees and institutions involved in the adoption and promulgation of relevant sector laws.
Result 3.5. Enhanced transparency and capacity for the identification and drafting of all necessary subordinate and implementing legislation.

COMPONENT 4: SUPPORT FOR OTHER CAPACITY BUILDING AND CROSS CUTTING INITIATIVES
Result 4.1. Effectiveness and transparency of ARD donor coordination mechanisms improved and MAPF donor projects institutional memory and systems enhanced.
Result 4.2. MAPF Human Resource Management systems and procedures strengthened.
Result 4.3. MAPF Continuous Professional Development Programme established.
Result 4.4. Assist MAPF to engage more closely with IFIs.
Result 4.5. Options for alternative ‘fast-track’ institutional support mechanisms identified, proposals developed and agreed, where relevant, to enhance longer term capacity building of MAPF and its subordinate structures.