Deadline: 06-Oct-2026
The European Commission is seeking applications to support inland waterway transport infrastructure projects on the TEN-T core network. The call supports works that upgrade existing inland waterways and related infrastructure, including locks, weirs, dams, bridges, and navigation systems, to improve navigation conditions, increase capacity, and strengthen transport efficiency.
The total budget available under the call is EUR 350,000,000. The maximum EU contribution is capped at EUR 30,000,000 for projects in one Member State, EUR 70,000,000 for projects in two Member States, and EUR 100,000,000 for projects in more than two Member States.
What is this European Commission Inland Waterway Transport Call?
This European Commission call supports the development, modernisation, and expansion of inland waterway transport infrastructure on the TEN-T core network.
The funding is intended for works that improve navigation conditions, increase vessel passage capacity, and strengthen the overall performance of inland waterway transport routes.
The call supports both the upgrading of existing waterways and the creation of new waterways with associated infrastructure.
Main Purpose of the Call
The main purpose of the call is to improve inland waterway transport infrastructure across the TEN-T core network.
The programme aims to support better navigation, smoother vessel movement, increased capacity, and stronger operational efficiency.
It also helps strengthen inland waterways as part of a more sustainable, connected, and efficient European transport system.
Total Budget Available
The total budget available under the call is EUR 350,000,000.
The maximum EU contribution per grant agreement depends on the number of Member States covered by the project.
Funding limits are:
- EUR 30,000,000 for projects located in a single Member State
- EUR 70,000,000 for projects located in two Member States
- EUR 100,000,000 for projects located in more than two Member States
Proposals requesting funding above these limits will be considered ineligible.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The call focuses on modernising and expanding inland waterway infrastructure on the TEN-T core network.
Key focus areas include:
- Inland waterway transport infrastructure
- TEN-T core network development
- Upgrading existing inland waterways
- Creating new inland waterways
- Locks
- Weirs
- Dams
- Bridges
- Navigation condition improvement
- Stable navigation conditions
- Good navigation status
- Vessel passage capacity
- Transport performance
- Operational efficiency
- Waterway modernisation
- Waterway expansion
Key Concepts Explained
Inland Waterway Transport
Inland waterway transport refers to the movement of goods or passengers through rivers, canals, lakes, and other navigable inland water routes.
It is an important part of Europe’s multimodal transport system and can provide a lower-emission alternative to road transport.
TEN-T Core Network
The TEN-T core network is the central part of the European Union’s Trans-European Transport Network.
It includes major transport corridors, ports, railways, roads, inland waterways, and logistics connections that support mobility and trade across Europe.
This call specifically supports inland waterway infrastructure located on the TEN-T core network.
Navigation Conditions
Navigation conditions refer to the physical and operational conditions that allow vessels to move safely and efficiently through inland waterways.
This may include water depth, width, flow management, lock capacity, bridge clearance, reliability, and availability of supporting infrastructure.
Good Navigation Status
Good navigation status means that inland waterways provide reliable and efficient conditions for vessel traffic.
Projects should contribute to stable or improved navigation conditions and support long-term operational quality.
Vessel Passage Capacity
Vessel passage capacity refers to the ability of waterway infrastructure to handle vessel traffic.
Improving capacity may involve upgrading locks, widening channels, improving bridges, modernising dams or weirs, or removing infrastructure bottlenecks.
What Types of Projects are Supported?
The call supports works projects that modernise and expand inland waterway transport infrastructure.
Eligible project types may include:
- Upgrading existing inland waterways
- Improving navigation conditions
- Increasing vessel passage capacity
- Modernising locks
- Modernising weirs
- Modernising dams
- Upgrading bridges linked to waterways
- Creating new waterways
- Building associated waterway infrastructure
- Improving operational performance
- Strengthening good navigation status
- Expanding infrastructure on the TEN-T core network
Projects should clearly show how the proposed works improve inland waterway transport performance.
Eligible Activities
Eligible activities are focused on works rather than general planning.
Supported activities may include:
- Construction works on inland waterways
- Infrastructure upgrades to improve navigation
- Works on locks, weirs, dams, and bridges
- Expansion of existing waterway infrastructure
- Creation of new waterway routes
- Works that increase capacity for vessel movement
- Works that improve stable navigation conditions
- Works that support operational efficiency across the TEN-T core network
Applicants should ensure that proposed activities directly contribute to inland waterway transport improvements.
Funding Limits by Project Geography
The maximum EU contribution depends on how many Member States the project covers.
For a project located in one Member State, the maximum EU contribution is EUR 30,000,000.
For a project located in two Member States, the maximum EU contribution is EUR 70,000,000.
For a project located in more than two Member States, the maximum EU contribution is EUR 100,000,000.
Applicants should carefully calculate the requested EU contribution before submission.
Any proposal requesting more than the applicable ceiling will be considered ineligible.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be legal entities.
They may be public or private bodies established in:
- EU Member States
- Overseas countries and territories
- Countries associated with the CEF Programme
International organisations are also eligible to participate.
Eligible applicants may include public authorities, infrastructure managers, waterway authorities, port-related bodies, transport agencies, private infrastructure operators, and other entities involved in inland waterway transport development.
Exceptional Participation Rules
Self-employed persons may participate where the company does not have legal personality separate from the natural person.
Entities without legal personality may exceptionally participate if their representatives can undertake legal obligations on their behalf.
They must also provide guarantees equivalent to those required for protecting EU financial interests.
Entities from non-eligible countries may exceptionally participate if their involvement is considered essential for implementing the action.
EU bodies cannot be part of the consortium, except for the European Commission Joint Research Centre.
How the Call Works
The European Commission provides funding for works projects that improve inland waterway infrastructure on the TEN-T core network.
Applicants submit proposals explaining the infrastructure challenge, proposed works, expected improvements, project location, budget, and contribution to TEN-T transport objectives.
Projects should demonstrate how they will improve navigation conditions, strengthen waterway performance, increase capacity, and support sustainable transport.
How to Apply
Applicants should first confirm that the proposed project is located on the TEN-T core network.
They should then identify whether the project involves upgrading existing inland waterways or creating new waterways and associated infrastructure.
The application should clearly describe the works to be carried out and explain how the project will improve navigation conditions, capacity, and operational efficiency.
Applicants should also ensure that the requested EU contribution does not exceed the applicable funding cap based on the number of Member States involved.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the project is located on the TEN-T core network.
- Identify whether the project upgrades an existing inland waterway or creates new waterway infrastructure.
- Define the main infrastructure components, such as locks, weirs, dams, bridges, or navigation-related works.
- Explain the current navigation challenge or infrastructure bottleneck.
- Describe how the project will improve stable navigation conditions.
- Show how the project will enhance vessel passage capacity.
- Explain how the project contributes to good navigation status.
- Prepare a detailed works plan and implementation schedule.
- Confirm the number of Member States covered by the project.
- Ensure the requested EU contribution stays within the applicable funding limit.
- Confirm applicant eligibility and consortium rules.
- Submit the proposal through the official European Commission application process.
Why It Matters
Inland waterways are an important part of Europe’s sustainable transport system.
They can support efficient freight movement, reduce pressure on road networks, and contribute to lower-emission transport corridors.
However, inland waterways require reliable infrastructure, modern locks, adequate capacity, and stable navigation conditions to remain competitive and useful.
This call matters because it helps modernise critical waterway infrastructure and strengthen the role of inland navigation within the TEN-T core network.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting projects that are not clearly linked to the TEN-T core network.
Proposals should not request funding above the applicable EU contribution cap.
Applicants should avoid vague descriptions of navigation improvements.
Projects should clearly explain how works will improve capacity, performance, or navigation conditions.
Applications should not overlook associated infrastructure such as locks, weirs, dams, and bridges where these are essential to project success.
Applicants should also avoid weak justification of cross-border or multi-country relevance where higher funding ceilings are requested.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly explain the waterway infrastructure problem and how the proposed works will solve it.
Applicants should provide measurable expected improvements, such as better navigation reliability, increased vessel passage capacity, reduced bottlenecks, or improved operational efficiency.
The proposal should demonstrate a strong connection to the TEN-T core network.
Projects involving more than one Member State should clearly explain the cross-border or multi-country value.
The budget should be realistic, eligible, and within the applicable maximum EU contribution limit.
Applicants should also show how the project supports sustainable transport and long-term waterway performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of this European Commission call?
The call supports the development, modernisation, and expansion of inland waterway transport infrastructure on the TEN-T core network.
2. How much funding is available?
The total budget available under the call is EUR 350,000,000.
3. What types of projects are eligible?
Eligible projects include works that upgrade existing inland waterways, improve navigation conditions, increase vessel passage capacity, and create new waterways with associated infrastructure such as locks, weirs, dams, and bridges.
4. What is the maximum EU contribution for a project in one Member State?
The maximum EU contribution is EUR 30,000,000 for projects located in a single Member State.
5. What is the maximum EU contribution for projects in two or more Member States?
The maximum EU contribution is EUR 70,000,000 for projects located in two Member States and EUR 100,000,000 for projects located in more than two Member States.
6. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include public and private legal entities established in EU Member States, overseas countries and territories, or countries associated with the CEF Programme. International organisations may also participate.
7. Can entities from non-eligible countries participate?
Entities from non-eligible countries may exceptionally participate if their involvement is considered essential for implementing the action.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s inland waterway transport infrastructure call supports major works projects that modernise and expand the TEN-T core network.
With EUR 350,000,000 available, the call funds upgrades to waterways, locks, weirs, dams, bridges, and related infrastructure that improve navigation conditions, increase capacity, and strengthen transport efficiency.
Applicants should ensure their projects are TEN-T aligned, technically justified, within the applicable funding limits, and clearly focused on improving inland waterway performance.
For more information, visit European Commission.