Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The Connecting Europe Facility is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through infrastructure investment at European level.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The objective of this call is to support the deployment of strategic networks as part of the Digital Global Gateway Strategy of the EU, contributing to strengthen the quality of connectivity within the Union as well as with third countries. This call is technology neutral. The deployment may include submarine cables systems, satellite infrastructures and connectivity to internet exchange points under this call.
This topic will support studies for the deployment of backbone connectivity for routes within Member States, between Member States, and between the EU and third countries, including to remote territories. Proposals under this call shall address studies, including all preparatory work required prior to signing a contract with a supplier is covered under this call.
Detailed Call Description
Access to backbone connectivity in EU Member States differs significantly. In certain regions a lack of adequate backbone connectivity may have an impact on the development of and service provided by access networks and generate possible imbalances in the prices of services, both for network operators in these regions, as well as for the users.
Furthermore, the infrastructures connecting remote territories may be ageing or insufficient, which poses risks the resilience of those regions, both from an economic and social point of view, especially in case of insufficient redundancy and available capacity of other alternative infrastructures to connect the regions.
In such areas, market forces alone may not provide answers to all of these challenges. As a result, certain areas may remain underserved or experience higher prices for access to backbone connectivity.
This topic will support studies for the deployment of backbone connectivity for routes within Member States (including OCTs), between Member States (including OCTs), and between Member States (including OCTs) and third countries which can fit within the scope described in Section 2.1 (CEF-DIG-2023-GATEWAYS-WORKS).
Proposals under this topic shall address studies including the preparatory work required prior to signing a contract with a supplier, such as marine ground surveys for submarine cables and application for required permits.
Please consult the call document for more information on the scope, including digital security requirements.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
The costs will be reimbursed at the funding rates fixed in the Grant Agreement, maximum 50% for the costs of studies, maximum 70% for the costs of works in outermost regions, and maximum 30% for all other costs categories. Applications with a higher project funding rate (maximum 50%), can be accepted if the project concerns cross-border links with integrated management.
Project budgets (maximum grant amount) are expected to be up to €20 000 000 per project for the works topic and up to €5 000 000 per project for the studies topic.
Thematic Categories
- Education and training
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Information Technology
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Shipping - Marine Transports
Eligibility for Participation
- Central Government
- Educational Institutions
- International Organisations
- Large Enterprises
- Local Authorities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
- Training Centres
Eligibility For Participation Notes
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies) established in one of the Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs) or listed EEA countries and countries associated to the CEF Programme or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature (list of participating countries).
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Department of Electronic Communications – State Department for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
Website: https://bit.ly/39IYcFZ
Address: 286 Strovolou Avenue, Strovolos, PO Box 24647, 1302 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22814854/22814846
Fax: +357 22321925
Email: info.dec@dec.dmrid.gov.cy
Contact person:
Mr. Nikos Ioannou
Electronic Communications Officer
Telephone: +357 22814875
Fax: +357 22321925
Email: nioannou@dec.dmrid.gov.cy
EU Contact Point
European Health and Digital Executive Agency:
https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/index_en