€200 million made available for TEN-T projects

The European Commission has made €200 million available to finance the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) annual programme.

Last year, the EC awarded €170 million in funding for TEN-T projects in February and a further €180 million was made available in June.

The EC has identified five priority areas for TEN-T funding and has called for proposals to be submitted for specific projects. The largest amount made available was a budget of €100 million for proposals which accelerate the implementation of TEN-T projects.

Meanwhile €35 million has been made available for projects that promote infrastructure developments which contribute to mitigation and adaptation to climate change, as well as reduce transport's impact on the environment.

A further €25 million will go towards promoting the development of what the EC dubbed "an integrated and multi-modal transport system", while €25 million has been earmarked for supporting the long-term implementation of the TEN-T network. Finally, €15 million has been put aside to support public-private partnerships and financial instruments.

Siim Kallas, EC vice president responsible for transport, said, "This EU funding will support Member States in their efforts to undertake complex projects aimed at improving and completing the TEN-T network. This investment will provide them with valuable assistance at a time of economic difficulties. Once completed, the trans-European transport network will directly benefit citizens and businesses."

The deadline for submitting funding proposals is 13 April, 2012.