Trans-European Network – Transport (TEN-T) programme
The Trans European Network – Transport (TEN-T) programme supports the development of the single market through project funding.
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Details
Summary
The Trans European Network - Transport (TEN-T) programme exists to support the development of the single market by providing funding for transport infrastructure projects on a set of defined networks. The networks cover all modes:
- major road (motorways and some trunk roads) and rail routes
- significant airports
- ports
- inter-modal terminals
- traffic management systems covering the air, road, rail and inland waterways
The TEN-T guidelines contain the maps which define the network. The policy for the programme is set by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE). The programme is managed by the Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency (TEN-T EA).
Financial support from the TEN-T programme
Financial support from the TEN-T programme is available to both studies and works-based projects. It acts as a stimulus for infrastructure projects, it is not a subsidy. The current budget runs from 2007 to 2013 and amounts to €8 billion. Funding is allocated through 2 mechanisms:
- multi-annual work programme for complex priority projects that may require regular support (80% of the total budget)
- annual work programme for one off projects (20% of the total budget)
Nearly €7 billion of the budget was committed to priority projects through the multi-annual work programme at the start of the programme in 2007.
Applying for TEN-T support
Calls for funding under the different mechanisms are usually done on an annual basis with each call having a particular set of criteria that projects must meet in order to be eligible for funding. Information on calls for funding can be found on the TEN-T EA website. Projects are subject to external evaluation to ensure that they meet the criteria for the call and are scored in several areas (including maturity, relevance to TEN-T objectives, impact of the project on the network and the environment and the quality of the project).
The Department for Transport’s Trans-European Network team coordinate the bidding process for UK applications. All proposed bids for support must be in line with UK transport policy and have policy clearance from the relevant DfT modal policy division or devolved administration.
In order be considered for funding applicants must be able to demonstrate that their project is:
- mature and well developed with costs and timetables established and management and planning in place
- adds value to the development of the European TEN-T network
The level of funding is variable depending on the type of projects. Studies can receive up to 50% of eligible costs, cross border projects 30%, priority projects 20% and projects that are not on the priority network can get up to 10%.
Successful awards
Since the creation of the programme in 1996 the department has helped a large number of projects to obtain funding as detailed in the ‘Full list of awards’ publication.
Contact us
Should you have any questions or like further information about the TEN-T programme or the bidding process please email: ten-t@dft.gsi.gov.uk
TEN-T policy review
The European Commission has initiated a review of the TEN-T policy. The TEN-T green paper, launched in February 2009, was the first stage in this process. The Commission published their draft for a new TEN-T Regulation in October 2011 to be taken forward under the co-decision process by the European Council and European Parliament (EP). The Council agreed a general approach on the draft regulation at the March 2012 Transport Council. The EP is scheduled to vote on the draft regulation at their plenary in January 2013.
A new finance regulation for TEN-T, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), was also published by the European Commission in October 2011. This will also be taken through the co-decision process. This will cover all the TEN workstreams - transport, energy and telecoms. A partial general approach (PGA) was agreed at the June 2012 Transport Council and the EP is scheduled to vote on this draft regulation at their plenary in January 2013.