Deadline: 11-Sep-2026
The European Commission is seeking proposals for a EUR 1.5 million project that will support legal, institutional, and organizational reforms in Ukraine’s railway transport sector. The initiative aims to align Ukraine’s railway system with European Union transport regulations, strengthen sector governance, prepare the market for competition, and accelerate integration into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
The project will support the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine in implementing railway market liberalisation, improving passenger transport services, establishing public service obligations, and strengthening institutional capacity over a 30-month implementation period.
Overview
The European Commission’s Railway Transport Sector Reform Project aims to modernize Ukraine’s railway sector and bring it closer to European Union standards and transport regulations.
The initiative supports Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to reform railway governance, improve market efficiency, strengthen institutional capacity, and prepare the sector for deeper integration with European transport systems.
The project forms part of broader efforts to enhance transport connectivity between Ukraine and the European Union while supporting sustainable infrastructure development and economic integration.
Funding Details
- Funding organization: European Commission (EC)
- Total project budget: EUR 1,500,000
- Maximum implementation period: 30 months
- Geographic focus: Ukraine
- Sector focus: Railway transport reform and EU integration
- Primary beneficiary: Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine
Project Objectives
The project seeks to support comprehensive reforms across Ukraine’s railway sector.
Key objectives include:
- Aligning railway legislation with EU acquis requirements
- Supporting railway market liberalisation
- Strengthening transport governance systems
- Enhancing institutional capacity
- Improving passenger transport services
- Establishing public service obligation frameworks
- Increasing rail sector competitiveness
- Supporting transport infrastructure modernization
- Strengthening international rail connectivity
- Advancing integration with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T)
- Improving regulatory and administrative frameworks
Specific Reform Priorities
The programme focuses on several critical areas necessary for successful railway sector transformation.
Priority reform areas include:
- Legal framework development
- Railway market opening and competition
- Public service obligation implementation
- Institutional strengthening
- Administrative reform
- Passenger transport modernization
- Rail sector governance improvements
- EU transport policy alignment
- Operational readiness for liberalisation
- International transport integration
Understanding Railway Market Liberalisation
Railway market liberalisation refers to the process of opening railway services to competition while maintaining effective regulation and service quality.
This process typically includes:
- Allowing multiple operators to access railway infrastructure
- Establishing fair competition rules
- Strengthening independent regulation
- Improving service quality and efficiency
- Encouraging private sector participation
- Enhancing customer choice and innovation
The project will help Ukraine establish the legal and institutional foundations necessary to implement these reforms in accordance with European standards.
Understanding the EU Acquis
The EU acquis refers to the body of European Union laws, regulations, directives, and policies that member states and candidate countries are expected to implement.
In the railway sector, the acquis covers:
- Market access rules
- Railway safety standards
- Infrastructure management
- Passenger rights
- Competition regulations
- Environmental requirements
- Public service obligations
Alignment with the acquis is essential for Ukraine’s deeper integration with European transport systems.
Public Service Obligations and Passenger Rail Services
A major component of the project involves strengthening public service obligations (PSOs) in Ukraine’s railway sector.
Public service obligations are government-supported transport services that ensure essential mobility for citizens even when routes may not be commercially profitable.
Expected outcomes include:
- Improved passenger transport services
- Better service accessibility
- Enhanced service quality
- Increased operational efficiency
- Sustainable transport provision
- Greater regional connectivity
Why Ukraine’s Railway Sector Matters
Rail transport plays a central role in Ukraine’s economy and national transportation system.
Key statistics include:
- Approximately 62% of national freight transport is carried by rail
- Approximately 25% of passenger transport is provided by rail
- Railways support domestic and international trade
- Rail infrastructure connects major industrial and agricultural regions
- The sector contributes significantly to economic development and mobility
Because of its strategic importance, railway reform is considered essential for Ukraine’s long-term economic growth and European integration.
TEN-T Integration and European Connectivity
The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) is the European Union’s strategic transport network designed to improve connectivity across Europe.
Recent developments have strengthened Ukraine’s role within this network.
Key changes include:
- Extension of four European Transport Corridors into Ukraine in 2024
- Enhanced connectivity with EU member states
- Reduced transport integration with Russia and Belarus
- Greater emphasis on European transport routes
- Expanded cross-border rail and logistics opportunities
These developments support Ukraine’s closer integration into European transport markets.
Key TEN-T Corridor Extensions
Important corridor developments include:
- Extension of the North-Baltic Corridor through Lviv and Kyiv to Mariupol
- Expansion of the Baltic Sea–Black Sea–Aegean Sea Corridor through Lviv and Chernivtsi to Odesa
- Routing of the Baltic Sea–Adriatic Sea Corridor through Lviv
- Routing of the Rhine–Danube Corridor through Lviv
- Inclusion of the Dnipro River in the TEN-T network
These changes improve Ukraine’s access to European transport infrastructure and strengthen international trade routes.
Who Should Apply?
The project seeks organizations capable of providing technical expertise and institutional support for railway sector reform.
Suitable applicants may include:
- Public sector institutions
- Government agencies
- Transport policy organizations
- Railway sector experts
- Technical assistance providers
- International cooperation organizations
- Transport governance specialists
- Infrastructure and regulatory reform experts
Applicants should demonstrate substantial experience in transport sector reform and European integration projects.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be assessed based on both operational and qualitative criteria.
Operational capacity assessment will consider:
- Project leadership experience
- Resident adviser qualifications
- Component leader expertise
- Institutional implementation capacity
Qualitative evaluation criteria include:
- Proposed methodology
- Quality of expert team
- Relevant institutional experience
- Experience in cooperation projects
- Overall proposal quality
- Feasibility of implementation approach
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Project Objectives
Carefully examine the project’s goals related to railway reform, market liberalisation, and EU integration.
Step 2: Assess Organizational Capacity
Ensure that the organization possesses the technical expertise and institutional experience required to implement complex transport reform projects.
Step 3: Build a Qualified Expert Team
Identify key personnel including:
- Project leader
- Resident adviser
- Technical experts
- Sector specialists
- Legal and regulatory advisors
Step 4: Develop a Methodology
Prepare a detailed implementation strategy that addresses:
- Legal reform support
- Institutional strengthening
- Capacity-building activities
- Stakeholder engagement
- Monitoring and evaluation
Step 5: Prepare the Proposal
Include:
- Organizational profile
- Technical approach
- Expert qualifications
- Project work plan
- Expected outcomes
- Risk management strategy
Step 6: Submit the Application
Submit a complete proposal in accordance with European Commission requirements and deadlines.
Tips for a Strong Proposal
- Demonstrate experience with EU transport legislation
- Highlight railway reform expertise
- Present a realistic implementation methodology
- Include highly qualified experts
- Show experience with institutional capacity building
- Demonstrate successful international cooperation projects
- Address both legal and operational reform aspects
- Align recommendations with EU acquis requirements
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Insufficient understanding of EU railway regulations
- Weak institutional reform strategies
- Limited railway sector expertise
- Inadequate staffing plans
- Poorly defined implementation methodologies
- Lack of experience in transport governance projects
- Failure to address TEN-T integration requirements
- Unrealistic timelines or work plans
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this project?
The project supports railway sector reform in Ukraine by strengthening legal frameworks, institutional capacity, market liberalisation, and integration with European transport systems.
What is the total project budget?
The total available budget is EUR 1,500,000.
How long can the project run?
The maximum implementation period is 30 months.
Which institution will benefit from the project?
The primary beneficiary is the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine.
What is railway market liberalisation?
It is the process of opening railway services to competition while improving efficiency, service quality, and regulatory oversight.
What is TEN-T?
The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) is the European Union’s strategic transportation network that connects member states and partner countries through integrated transport corridors.
How will proposals be evaluated?
Applications will be assessed based on methodology, expert qualifications, institutional experience, operational capacity, and overall proposal quality.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s Railway Transport Sector Reform Project represents a major step toward modernizing Ukraine’s railway system and strengthening its integration with the European Union. Through legal reform, institutional capacity building, market liberalisation, and TEN-T integration, the initiative will support the development of a more competitive, efficient, and sustainable railway sector. With a budget of EUR 1.5 million and a 30-month implementation period, the project offers a significant opportunity for experienced organizations to contribute to one of Ukraine’s most important infrastructure and governance reform priorities
For more information, visit EC.