Inland waterways – works

No, under the call CEF-T-2026-COREGEN shore-side electricity supply is not eligible along the inland waterway on the TEN-T network. Shore-side electricity supply in inland ports can be supported under the call CEF-T-2026-SUSTMOBGEN-EMS-WORKS.

As indicated in the “Information Note to the CEF Transport Coordination Committee” of 13/12/2018, “activities kept under existing Grant Agreements will not be funded under reflow calls and CEF 2 calls”.

This rule applies even if the original Grant Agreement which included the activities is now closed, unless the technical scope of these activities, and the corresponding grant amount, was removed from the Grant Agreement before its end date to allow the reuse of the unused CEF funding.

Yes, works projects aiming for increasing safety of waterborne transport operations are eligible under the call, except if the interventions are in the form of smart applications/digitalisation works (such as implementation of River Information Services, inland port information or management systems, inland port community systems).

Applicants must submit (upload) the Environmental Compliance File for all applications. For works applications and study applications with physical intervention, the ECF must be completed with (i) the environmental compliance questionnaire duly filled in, along with the requested information being applicable i.e. non-technical summary, and (ii) the declarations signed by the competent authority (i) for monitoring Natura 2000 sites and (ii) under the water framework directive 2000/60/EC.

Regarding study projects without physical intervention, and works projects that do not affect significantly the environment, the ECF must be uploaded by ticking the box of ‘project type’, and including in the comments boxes for each question ‘not applicable’. For these applications, no declarations signed by the competent authority are needed.

The works projects that do not affect significantly the environment concern applications for Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR), Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), VTMIS, RIS, telematics application systems, actions exclusively related to implementation of electric vehicles charging stations in existing build-up areas, solutions to improve accessibility for persons with reduced mobility, and vessels and rail rolling stock retrofitting.

Inland waterways applications may include works relating to the mitigation of environmental impact and the preservation of biodiversity, notably as regards on-site reforestation or specific infrastructure components allowing for the continuity of the natural habitat or the safe crossing of animals. Activities relating to the mitigation of environmental impact may include noise protection barriers.

Under the 2026 call for proposals, the proposals submitted to the following calls are exempted from submitting a CBA:

• CEF-T-2026-SIMOBGEN
• CEF-T-2026-MILMOB
• CEF-T-2026-AFIFGEN
• CEF-T-2026-SAFEMOBGEN
• CEF-T-2026-SUSTMOBGEN

For these calls, the submission system does not contain an upload slot for the upload of CBA documentation.

The deployment of cross-disciplinary digital information and operation systems for water and waterway management to ensure year-round navigability can be supported under call CEF-T-2026-COREGEN. However, other digitalisation works which support the implementation of River Information Services (RIS), inland port information systems such as inland port single windows, inland port community systems, are not eligible

Yes, this is correct. In line with NAIADES III, the deployment of cross-disciplinary digital information and operation systems for water and waterway management is seen as a crucial enabler to ensure year-round navigability and to achieve Good Navigation Status. Please note that under the call CEF-T-2026-COREGEN other digitalisation works which support the implementation of River Information Services (RIS), inland port information systems such as inland port single windows, inland port community systems, are not eligible.

As set out in Section 6 of the call texts, twinned proposals are proposals relating to the same project that are submitted under different calls and/or topics. Where proposals form part of the same Global Project, this must be clearly indicated in Part B. However, proposals submitted under the same topic are not considered twinned proposals, even if they form part of the same Global Project. They will be evaluated as separate proposals.

The inland waterways call provides support for infrastructure investments in order to achieve stable or improved navigation conditions, performance and/or more capacity for the passage of vessels or to ensure good navigation status and / or the creation of new waterways and related infrastructure.

The upgrade of an existing bridge or the (re)construction of a new bridge can be supported if it contributes to these objectives.

Yes, works relating to creation, upgrade and automation of locks along the inland waterways can be supported. Works for improving the energy efficiency of locks using green energy from photovoltaic are considered as a synergetic element as defined in the Commission Implementing Decision C(2026) 3720, and should fulfil all the following conditions:

- it concerns electricity generation of inland waterway infrastructure;

- it is not produced for commercial purposes;

- it improves the socio-economic, climate or environmental benefits of the project;

- it does not exceed 20% of the eligible costs of the proposed Action;

- the costs are presented under the cost category ‘D.3 Synergetic elements’ and as a separate Work Package in the proposal.

Yes. The call CEF-T-2026-COREGEN covers works along the TEN-T waterways, but not in TEN-T ports. This includes infrastructure for mooring (such as quays) with the objective to improve navigation performance. Works for waterside infrastructure for waterborne operations (transhipment) are not eligible under this topic.