Background

The CEF Digital programme will contribute to the development of Gigabit and 5G networks, as well as boost the capacity and resilience of digital backbone infrastructures and the digitalisation of transport and energy networks.

The Commission has opened a third set of calls for proposals worth over €240 million under the digital strand of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to strengthen the deployment of ultra-fast, secure and sustainable digital infrastructures.

This new set of calls includes 5G coverage along transport Corridors (with funding of €100 million); 5G and Edge Cloud for Smart Communities (€51 million); and backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways (€90 million).

The first two calls focus on improving 5G connectivity throughout rural communities and urban areas, to ensure that all EU citizens have access to digital technologies and services. The calls also support the development of 5G infrastructure along European transport corridors, for example to support road-safety services and provide gigabit connectivity services to vehicles users and passengers, while ensuring 5G/cloud edge integration.

Under CEF3, the European Commission will co-fund actions aiming to equip Europe’s main transport routes and providers of key services in local communities with 5G connectivity, as well as actions to deploy or upgrade backbone networks based on advanced technologies.

Information Day

The Commission will be hosting a Call 3 Information Day on October 26th from 8.30am to 12pm. You can find more information here.

The Commission’s deadline for calls is now 5pm CEST February 20th 2024. You will find links to each of the calls below.

 

Potential Proposals

Please note that if you are considering submitting a proposal, you may require a letter of support. Please submit your proposal to the contact points Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications by COB 10th January 2024 to allow time for review.

CEF3 Digital calls are mainly open to entities, including joint ventures, established in Member States and overseas countries or territories.

Contact Points

Karen Tighe

John Uhlemann

Rachel O’Neill