The range of projects funded by SAPARD, the European Commission special accession program for agriculture rural development, will expand till end-year, Deputy Agriculture Minister Andriyana Tosheva said. An intermediary evaluation on the implementation of the pre-accession program will be made in 2003. Certain modifications have been made to the initially prepared national plan for development of the agriculture and rural regions. The changes come after the Committee on Agriculture structures and development of agriculture regions with the European Commission approved six measures and one sub-measure under the SAPARD program. All 229 rural municipalities will be allowed to apply for funds according to the measures for renovation and development of villages and upgrade of infrastructure. SAPARD will release 75% of the funds for the projects on, the remainder will be provided by the national funds. The funds released to Bulgaria under SAPARD program will be increased as of 2004, Agriculture Minister Dikme announced before the Cabinet regular meeting April 25. 0,3% of the Gross Domestic Product for 2003 will be earmarked for implementing the strategy for agriculture development.