TEN-T and the Connecting Europe Facility

What can you apply for?

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is an infrastructure fund that aims to support the expansion 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 the page updated with further specifications for the pool.

Previous project types:
Capacity and efficiency in hinterland infrastructure (railway, access and roads).
Safe access to the port (locks, channels and navigation)
Basic infrastructure (port basins, quays, jetties 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 covered by the European Commission's TEN-T priority (see digital map), it is possible to apply for funds from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program, which includes the port programs Motorways of the Sea and TEN-T. Both public and private actors can apply to the fund for support for transport and infrastructure projects.
To administer the CEF support, the Commission has established the organisation CINEA (The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency). 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 in the CEF and TEN-T committees, respectively, and the Ministry approves the 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 along the way must be reviewed and validated by the Danish Transport Authority.
In order to be able to follow the progress of the activities supported by CINEA, the Danish beneficiaries are encouraged to regularly inform the Danish Transport Authority about significant milestones and events.
The agency can assist beneficiaries with questions about administration, supplementary agreements, tendering, reporting, etc. in connection with the CEF support granted.

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 where an agreement and signature from the Ministry of Transport is required are assessed based on the following criteria:

1. The project must 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. be thoroughly 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 addresses 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 financing model.

For a template for a project description, 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/