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Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) and Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
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The trans-European transport network (TEN-T) is a Europe-wide network of roads, rail lines, ports and airports. The components of the TEN-T network and infrastructure requirements across the network are set out in Regulation (EU) 1315/2013 , known as the TEN-T Regulation.
The network is made up of the Comprehensive Network and a sub-set called the Core Network. The Core Network is the most strategic part of the network. Transport infrastructure on the Core Network is required to be completed to the standard set out in the Regulation by 2030. The Comprehensive Network is a wider network which is required to be completed by 2050.
Maps of the TEN-T network can be viewed on the interactive TENtec portal .
The EU Commission published its proposal for a revised Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation in December 2021. This Regulation sets out an EU-wide network of rail, inland waterways, shipping routes, roads, ports, airports, and freight terminals as well as the requirements for infrastructure on this network.
The main aims of the revision are to align the development of the TEN-T network with EU climate goals, to better integrate different modes of transport and urban nodes, to increase the resilience of the network, and to reinforce the governance provisions.
This new proposal revises the network map, proposes updated standards for infrastructure on the network, and sets out deadlines by which infrastructure must be brought to the required standard.
Negotiations on the proposal are ongoing in Brussels and you can follow their progress here .
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport is the EU funding instrument that supports the development of the trans-European transport (TEN-T) network.
The rules and objectives of the Connecting Europe Facility for the 2021-2017 period are set out in the CEF Regulation .
The general objective of the current CEF Transport programme is to develop and complete the TEN-T network, while taking into account the EU’s long-term climate goals. The overall budget allocated to transport projects over this period is €25.81 billion.
CEF funding is delivered in the form of grants allocated following competitive calls for proposals. Funding rates vary depending on the conditions of each call and the type of project, generally ranging from 20% to 50% of eligible costs.
Applications for CEF funding are submitted to the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), who work in partnership with the European Commission. CINEA assess all applications and monitor the implementation of successful projects.
Information on Ireland’s participation in CEF to date and on individual projects can be found on the CINEA website .
Information on current and past funding calls is available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal .
The Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) aims to support the deployment of alternative fuel supply infrastructure on the TEN-T network.
The latest AFIF call opened on 29 February 2024. Projects from Ireland are eligible to apply under the ‘General’ envelope which has a total budget of €780m. These calls make funding to support the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure including:
• Publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure along the TEN-T road network and in TEN-T urban nodes
• Electrification of operations at TEN-T maritime ports and airports
• Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles, light-duty vehicles, public transport, maritime vessels, maritime port operations, railways, and airports on the TEN-T network
• Ammonia and methanol bunkering facilities in TEN-T maritime ports
AFIF is a ‘blending call’ which means that applicants must secure the support of a financial institution for at least 10% of the overall project cost in advance of their application.
AFIF is a rolling call with several submission deadlines. The deadlines are:
• 24 September 2024
• 11 June 2025
• 17 December 2025
More information is available here .
If you are interested in applying for AFIF funding, please contact us at CEF@transport.gov.ie at least two months ahead of the submission deadline.
For CEF or TEN-T queries, please contact us at CEF@transport.gov.ie