The CEF Transport Blending Facility is an innovative approach to promote the substantial participation of private sector investors and financial institutions in projects contributing to the environmental sustainability and efficiency of the transport sector in Europe. The CEF Transport Blending Facility will support two areas that will deliver on the Commission’s agenda for a clean and digital transport system:

  • Deployment of the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS)
  • Deployment of Alternative Fuels

It is implemented via a cooperation framework between the European Commission and Implementing Partners to support Blending Operations, i.e. investments combining the use of grants and/or financial instruments from the EU budget and financing from the Implementing Partners (via a loan, debt, equity or any other repayable form of support).

With a budget of €198 million, the grant component of the Blending Operations under the CEF Transport Blending Facility is managed by the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA). Promoters can apply for the CEF TBF grants only with the support of the EIB or other Implementing Partners.

In the context of the CEF Transport Blending Facility, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is the first Implementing Partner involved. The European Commission is currently negotiating agreements to define the involvement of other potential Implementing Partners. The list of all Implementing Partners of the CEF Transport Blending Facility will be published on INEA website.

The rolling call for proposals for the CEF Transport Blending Facility has been published on 15 November 2019. It includes quarterly cut-off dates until March 2021, unless the budget would be exhausted earlier. Grant Application forms submitted by the Applicants, together with Application files submitted by the Implementing Partners will be evaluated by the European Commission after each cut-off date.

The application process is described in the call text and in the Guide for Applicants.

Project promoters interested to receive advisory services related to financing and blending opportunities in the context of the CEF Transport Blending Facility may receive such advice through the EIAH by sending an email request to eiah@eib.org.

Click here to view all the deadlines. 

Source: INEA, European Commission