Facility "Connecting Europe" (CEF)

The "Connecting Europe" Facility represents a central EU grant instrument managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) in line with the European Green Deal. It supports infrastructure projects in the fields of transport, energy, and digital technologies with the aim of building, expanding, modernizing, and completing trans-European networks. The focus lies on developing efficient, multimodal transport connections and their dual use for both civilian and military purposes, as well as on further integrating the energy internal market, decarbonizing through cross-border renewable energies, and digitalizing critical backbone networks with 5G systems and high capacity. With this broad funding framework, the Facility makes a decisive contribution to mobility, climate protection, and smart city solutions at the EU level.

Eligible for funding are companies, public institutions, and municipalities established or having a branch in an EU Member State, which implement projects of common European interest jointly with international organizations, Member States, or joint undertakings. Applicants align their project proposals with the annual work programs published by the European Commission and may apply for grants that vary depending on the measure. With clearly defined deadlines and selection criteria, the Facility opens opportunities for forward-looking initiatives in the areas of energy efficiency & renewable energies, infrastructure, smart cities & regions, digitalization, mobility, as well as climate protection and urban development – an attractive funding opportunity for all those aiming to make Europe’s networks smarter, more sustainable, and better connected.