It was initially meant for assisting Poland and Hungary in restructuring their economies (PHARE – Poland and Hungary: Assistance for Restructuring their Economies), but later it expanded to other East European countries, which wished to join the European Community.
Esialgu oli see mõeldud Poola ja Ungari abistamiseks majanduse restruktureerimisel (PHARE – Poland and Hungary: Assistance for Restructuring their Economies), kuid hiljem laienes ka teistele Ida-Euroopa maadele, kes avaldasid soovi liituda Euroopa Ühendusega.