Finland applies for funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility for several transport projects

The Finnish Government and other operators are applying for a total of EUR 185 million in financial support for 22 transport projects from the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Half of these are the Government's projects, and half are projects of other operators. The Ministerial Finance Committee approved the applications on 16 December 2021.

Finland is applying for funding for railway, road and waterway projects that promote sustainable mobility and eliminate bottlenecks in transport.

"Finland has prepared a record number of applications. The Government has applied for funding for all eligible projects. Finland has a good opportunity to receive EU funding for railway and port projects that are vital for our competitiveness," says Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications.

EUR 7 billion of EU funding is available. Funding has been allocated for the TEN-T core and comprehensive network projects, smart transport systems, alternative motive power projects, and projects that support military mobility and improve the civilian infrastructure.

The funding call is intended to provide funding for investments in the European transport network that build missing connections and promote the green transition. In addition to regular CEF support, funding that combines loans and EU subsidies can be applied for infrastructure projects for alternative motive powers. Receiving EU support requires that national funding covers 50-70 per cent of total project costs.

The Government is applying for funding for railway, road and waterway projects

The Finnish Government is participating in 11 projects, for which it is applying for a total of EUR 130.1 million of CEF funding. The Government is applying for EUR 91.3 million in funding. Other operators are also applying for funding for part of these projects.

1. Construction of the second phase of the Helsinki-Riihimäki track

The Government is applying for EUR 30.3 million in funding.

2. Construction of the Kupittaa-Turku double track and Turku railway yards

The Government is applying for EUR 12.7 million in funding, and other operators are applying for EUR 12.7 million.

3. Construction planning for the Tampere passenger yard

The Government is applying for EUR 5 million in funding, and other operators are applying for EUR 1.12 million.

4. Development of the Port of Naantali's road connections - implementation of the E18 road plan in Naantali and Raisio

The Government is applying for EUR 2 million in funding.

5. Development of Paimenportti - eliminating a bottleneck between the Port of Kotka and the motorway

The Government is applying for EUR 5 million in funding.

6. Improving the smooth flow of train traffic between Tampere and Jyväskylä

The Government is applying for EUR 3.5 million in funding.

7. Development of railway stations between Oulu and Kontiomäki

The Government is applying for EUR 6.9 million in funding.

8. Deepening the Ajos sea channel in Kemi and improving the port infrastructure

The Government is applying for EUR 12.5 million in funding, and other operators are applying for EUR 13.6 million.

9. Oritkari wye in Oulu - a connection between the port, main track and combined transport terminal

The Government is applying for EUR 5.7 million in funding, and other operators are applying for EUR 1.87 million.

10. Electrification of the Laurila-Tornio track - a connection between the Finnish and Swedish railway networks

The Government is applying for EUR 5 million in funding, and other operators are applying for EUR 6 million.

11. Next ITS-Digital Corridor - a project to develop the digital road transport infrastructure in Scandinavia and Northern Germany

The Government is applying for EUR 2.7 million in funding, and other operators are applying for EUR 3.55 million.

In addition, Finnish non-governmental organisations are applying for a total of EUR 55.05 million in CEF funding for 11 projects aimed to develop port infrastructures, for example.

The CEF supports transport projects in the TEN-T network. The European TEN-T network combines railways, inland waterways, roads, sea channels and flight connections into a single transport network.

Next steps

The funding call for European Commission funding will end on 19 January 2022. According to preliminary information obtained from the Commission, funding decisions will be made in June 2022.

Inquiries:

Timo Kievari, Director of Unit, tel. +358 400 593 706, [email protected], Twitter: @TimoKievari

Marjukka Vihavainen-Pitkänen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 40 825 1255, [email protected]