RICOP is the biggest Phare program of the European Union in South-Eastern Europe, aimed at cushioning the social impact of economic reform. The Government of Romania helped the program apply measures to alleviate the social consequences of restructuring, of the privatization or the closing down of 69 loss-making state enterprises by creating jobs in new economic sectors.
The program was carried out in 17 counties: Bacau, Iasi, Neamt, Vaslui, Braila,
Buzau, Galati, Arges, Dambovita, Teleorman, Dolj, Gorj, Olt, Hunedoara, Valcea, Brasov, and Covasna.