Connecting Europe Facility Transport

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is a key EU funding instrument in delivering the European Green Deal and an important enabler towards the Union’s decarbonisation objectives for 2030 and 2050. It supports the development of high performing, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services. In the transport sector, the programme aims to contribute to the development of projects of common interest relating to efficient, interconnected and multimodal networks and infrastructure for smart, interoperable, sustainable, inclusive, accessible, safe and secure mobility in accordance with the objectives of Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013. Moreover, it contributes to adapt parts of the TEN-T for the dual use of the transport infrastructure with a view to improving both civilian and military mobility.

Under the CEF Transport programme, the technical assistance to the Member States is attributed in the form of Grant Agreements. Supported activities include technical and administrative support to competent ministries for the preparation, implementation and follow-up of CEF Transport projects, travel and subsistence costs for CEF related events, cross-fertilisation activities in the framework of working groups at EU level (Rail Freight Corridors and Core Network Corridors), as well as IT developments for improved data exchange for reporting purposes. Moreover, technical assistance to MS can support ministries or competent authorities accompanying them towards compliance with EU legislation, data collection and cooperation among national authorities, especially in the IWW sectors, for road safety matters and alternative fuels infrastructure for road. Specific lump-sum decisions have been adopted in order to streamline the award of funds and the management of the CEF support.

A first set of technical assistance support has been included in the first CEF Transport Multi Annual work programme (2021-2024). Specific calls for proposals have been already launched in 2021, leading to the signature of Grant Agreements as of second half of 2022. A second set of CEF technical support to Member States is foreseen for the period 2025-2027.

Beneficiaries are national authorities that are usually ministries or other competent entities (e.g. national road safety authorities

Technical Assistance to Member States address for example the following tasks:

• Communication actions relating to the CEF Programme, communication and updated information on official websites;
• Appraisal of CEF project proposals: assessment of the compliance of project proposals with Call requirements and national priorities;
• Technical monitoring and financial control of the selected ongoing projects;
• Certification that the expenditure incurred in respect of projects has been disbursed and that the disbursement was in conformity with the relevant rules;
• Participation in meetings such as Corridor Fora, working groups and conferences;
• Consultation and approval of the regularly updated Corridor Work Plans;
• Cooperation with the European Coordinators, national stakeholders and other Member States.
• Preparation, participation and follow-up to meetings at corridor level involving stakeholders of the rail freight corridor and of the corresponding core network corridor;
• Preparation, participation and follow-up to meetings for coordination between several or all rail freight corridors;
• Updating and reporting via automated data exchange with TENtec IT tool.