A new round of calls for the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme just opened. The call aims to support future infrastructure projects on railways, intermodal terminals and inland shipping, among other things, with seven billion euros. Ukraine and Moldova will also be able to apply in this call for proposals despite not being EU Member States.

The CEF call is open for applications as of today (26/09/2023). According to the EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Valean, the two countries will be able to request funding for infrastructure investments along the Solidarity Lanes–the transport corridors deployed to boost Ukrainian exports to and through Western Europe.

As a result, Ukraine and Moldova will be able to develop railway lines, border-crossing terminals, and inland waterway infrastructure that has been extensively used in the past few months to export Ukrainian grain. Valean added that the “Commission’s services had good preliminary discussions with the Ukrainian teams, and they will organise more technical meetings to identify the best projects to be financed.”

Agreement in June

This development is a product of an agreement signed between the EU Commission and Ukraine in June 2023. Apart from targeting critical infrastructure for better connectivity between Ukraine and the rest of Europe, the country’s inclusion in CEF calls could also assist in its post-war rebuilding. It should also be noted that Ukraine and Moldova will be able to apply for funding for future calls but within the current programming period (2021-2027).

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