The Future of the Connecting Europe Facility post 2020

Both networks recognised the importance of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as the only European funding programme that offers the opportunity to finance the deployment of sustainable transport projects and outlined through case studies that the European Commission should ensure the continuity of the CEF post the 2020 period, while also securing the level of its funding in the next MFF.

POLIS members, Arnhem Nijmegen and Brussels’ Göteborg office illustrated that the urban nodes priority within the programme has provided important funding in terms of sustainable and innovative mobility, and has helped solve some of the ‘last mile’ issues, thus increasing the overall TEN-T network efficiency. Two other cases highlighted the role of regions and local authorities as key players in the implementation of CEF projects.  The press release can be read here.

POLIS is also part of a coalition of 30 transport organisations, covering all modes and nodes, service providers, users and cargo owners supporting this plea for a strong financial support for the completion of the TEN-T network. The campaign has produced and disseminated a leaflet at the CEF Conference on the 21 and 22 September in Tallinn, an event organised by the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, and the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Conference addressed policy actions and financing solutions to invest in the Transport sector with the perspective of the post-2020 EU financial framework. A list of participants and presentations given during the conference as well as the video recordings of the plenary sessions are available online for a period of one month.