The European Commission is proposing to increase the budget for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to € 81.4 billion for the 2028–2034 period. This would more than double the funding available for European transport and energy infrastructure compared with the current programming period. The proposed increase could create new funding opportunities for ports, railway connections, energy infrastructure and military mobility, among other areas. Although the final budget has yet to be confirmed, organisations developing large-scale infrastructure projects can already start preparing for the next programming period.

Potential € 81 billion budget for CEF projects in 2028–2034

The European Commission previously presented its proposal for the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. Under this proposal, the CEF programme, also known as CEF 3, would receive a significantly larger budget. The proposed € 81.4 billion would be divided between two components:

• CEF Transport: € 51.5 billion for the development and modernisation of European transport networks, including € 17.5 billion specifically allocated to military mobility;
• CEF Energy: € 29.9 billion to strengthen European energy networks, cross-border energy connections and the integration of renewable energy.

With this allocation, the European Commission is placing greater emphasis on strategic infrastructure that contributes to Europe’s connectivity, energy security and resilience. In particular, the increased budget for military mobility demonstrates how infrastructure projects are increasingly expected to support multiple European objectives.

Which infrastructure projects could benefit from the increased CEF budget?

The proposed budget increase presents opportunities for organisations investing in large-scale infrastructure. These opportunities are not limited to new connections. Modernising existing infrastructure and making it fit for the future will also play an important role.

Within CEF Transport, projects involving the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) will remain a key priority. Examples include railway connections, port infrastructure, multimodal transport hubs and infrastructure that improves cross-border transport. There is also growing attention on dual-use infrastructure that can support both civilian transport and military movements.

For CEF Energy, the focus is on strengthening and connecting European energy networks. Investments in cross-border electricity interconnections, hydrogen infrastructure and the integration of renewable energy could therefore become increasingly important.

However, a larger budget does not automatically mean that every infrastructure project will qualify for funding. Alignment with European priorities and the eligibility criteria of future calls will remain decisive.

Expert guidance can improve the chances of a successful CEF application

Increasing competition for CEF funding makes a well-prepared grant application more important than ever. Alongside the technical quality of an infrastructure project, alignment with European priorities, a robust financial justification and an effective application strategy all play an important role. Experienced guidance can help identify potential challenges at an early stage and strengthen the overall quality of an application.

Since 2012, Hezelburcht’s grant specialists have supported CEF applications for ports, railway projects, charging infrastructure, grid operators and public authorities, among others. More than two-thirds of these applications have been successful, securing approximately € 1.7 billion in grants for our clients. Our specialists support organisations throughout the entire process, from the initial project assessment to final reporting to CINEA.

Would you like to arrange an introduction with a CEF specialist?

Are you interested in finding out whether your project is eligible for CEF funding, or would you benefit from support in preparing your application? Our specialists would be happy to assist you. Contact us at info@hezelburcht.com, call 088 495 20 00 or complete our contact form to arrange an introduction.

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