EU funds for roads - CEDR

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Other Funds
The European Agricultural Fund finances rural road projects.
Furthermore, there are many programmes financed by various EU funds (EU budget
lines), concerning actions (mainly pre-competitive researches or studies, assessments
etc.) relating to road networks, their operation, their accessories, their safety etc.
Examples of such programmes 27 include:
- CIVITAS: a programme for cleaner and better transport in cities. The budget for
CIVITAS II (2005–2009) is ~ €0.3 billion.
- MARCO POLO: a programme that aims to shift freight transport from the road to the
sea, rail, and inland waterways through the promotion of inter-modal transport. The
budget for the Marco Polo II programme (2007–2013) is €0.45 billion.
EU funds financing road projects in non-EU countries
Pre-accession funds
ISPA, PHARE, CARDS (period 2000–2006) and IPA (period 2007–2013) are the EU’s preaccession
funds. They finance all kinds of road projects. Nevertheless, due to the relatively
limited resources available, there are/have not been many new road construction projects.
Rehabilitation of critical road infrastructures, road network development studies, project
preparation, and road design studies are the most common types of projects financed by
these EU funds.
• External Cooperation Funds
All External Cooperation Funds may finance road projects of all types, provided that
transport and more specifically road transport development is a priority sector agreed to be
supported by EU funds, and relevant interventions (projects) have been included in the
relevant programmes
28 . Obviously, the volume of the financial contribution of the EU will
depend on the country’s real needs for roads as compared to the needs for other
developmental infrastructures 29 .
27 More information on these programmes can be found on the EC (DG TREN) website.
28 See Annex I.
29 The Commission aims to help partner countries improve transport as a means of achieving the broader goals of
reducing poverty, sustaining economic growth, and stimulating social development. There is no doubt that
improved transport infrastructure will also help developing countries integrate themselves into the global
economy. To achieve its aims, the EC works in partnership with country stakeholders and other aid donors. The
goal is to make improvements that meet local needs in a safe, affordable, and efficient way that has a minimal
impact on the environment.
EU funds for roads