TEN-T and Connecting Europe Facility

What can I apply for?

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is an infrastructure fund that aims to support the development of infrastructure in the TEN-T network.
With the EU's new long-term budget for the period 2021-2027, the CEF has a pool for transport infrastructure of EUR 28.1 billion (of which EUR 11.3 billion goes to countries whose GDP per capita is below 90% of the EU average).
Danish Ports will keep this page updated with further specifications for the pool.

Previous project types:
Capacity and efficiency of hinterland infrastructure (rail, entrance and roads).
Safe access to the port (locks, channels and navigation)
Basic infrastructure (harbor basins, quayside facilities, breakwaters and land expansion)
Reception facilities for oil and other waste, including from flue gas cleaning
New facilities for alternative fuels e.g. LNG, shore power etc.

Who can apply?

For ports included in the European Commission's TEN-T priority (see digital map), it is possible to apply for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program, which includes the Motorways of the Sea and TEN-T port programs. Both public and private actors can apply to the fund for support for transport and infrastructure projects.
The Commission has established CINEA (The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency) to manage the administration of CEF funding. The Commission's administration is based on close cooperation with the member states. In Denmark, responsibility is shared between the Ministry of Transport and the Danish Transport Authority. The Ministry is responsible for the political level, including the work of the CEF and TEN-T committees, and the Ministry approves Danish applications to the Commission.
The agency is responsible for the ongoing monitoring and follow-up of the activities that receive support from CINEA. If CEF support is obtained, the technical and financial reports submitted to CINEA must be reviewed and validated by the Danish Transport Authority.
In order to monitor the progress of the activities supported by CINEA, the Danish beneficiaries are encouraged to regularly inform the Danish Transport Agency of significant milestones and events.
The Danish Transport Agency can assist beneficiaries in case of doubts about administration, supplementary agreements, tender organization, reporting, etc. in connection with the awarded CEF support.

Amount & conditions

In addition to countries with GDP per capita below 90% of the EU average, the total CEF funds for 2021-2027 amount to EUR 15 billion.

For the last period, the following conditions applied:
The application must be submitted in agreement with and signed by the Member State where the project takes place, and Member States may define the conditions to be applied.

Applications requiring an agreement and signature from the Ministry of Transport will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. the project shall contribute to the efficient use of the Connecting Europe Facility budget in relation to the transport policy objectives of the TEN-T Regulation and the CEF Regulation
(2) The project must not conflict with projects listed in Annex 1, Part 1 of the CEF Regulation.
3. the project must be within the priorities of the application round and meet the formal requirements
4. The application must be of appropriate quality, i.e. well prepared
5. If the application round requires it, a socio-economic analysis must be prepared.

All applicants are asked to prepare a project description that relates to the content and purpose of the project. In addition, the applicant should address the relevant priorities and activities of the application round, the background and purpose of the project, estimated costs and expected funding model.

For a project description template, visit the Ministry of Transport's website: https://www.trm.dk/temaer/eu-puljer-paa-transportomraadet/eu-puljer-artikler/transeuropaeiske-transportnet-ten-t-og-connecting-europe-facility-cef/