On Wednesday 19 May, the European Commission announced that three new calls for proposals would be launched within the framework of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). The TEN-T budget makes an additional €172 million available for the motorways of the sea (maximum €85 million), river information services (€10 million), and as part of the annual revised work programme (up to €77 million). The TEN-T network executive agency, which manages the technical and financial implementation of the TEN-T programme, is responsible for the management of the calls for proposals and for the external evaluation of project proposals submitted. The deadline for submitting proposals is 31 August 2010.
The calls for proposals have been established under two separate work programmes, namely the 2010 multiannual work programme and the 2010 annual work programme. The first aims to finance the highest priorities of the TEN-T network. The Commission provides funding for motorways of the sea (TEN-T Priority Project 21), and river information services (RIS), involving traffic management infrastructure on the inland waterway network (maximum budgets €85 million and €10 million respectively).
The annual work programme complements efforts developed under the multi-annual work programme. It provides funding for more general projects. The three priorities eligible in 2010 are:
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promoting the development of an integrated and environmentally-friendly transport system (up to €30 million);
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accelerating/facilitating the implementation of TEN-T projects (studies for all modes of transport, works for mature projects, notably in the rail and inland waterways sectors), as well as projects supporting the Single European Sky policy (up to €40 million);
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and studies to support public-private partnerships (up to €7 million).