Scope:

Under article 23(2) of the CEF Regulation (EU) 2021/1153, an interim evaluation of the CEF programme shall be carried out no later than four years after the start of implementation of the CEF.

CEF supports the development and modernisation of the trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital, and facilitates the cross-border cooperation in the field of renewable energy. CEF focuses on projects of highest European added value and catalyses investments towards projects with a cross-border impact and European-wide interoperable systems and services, for which the continuity of funding support after 2020 is essential. With its direct management and efficient modus operandi, CEF aims to address market failures and help leverage further investment from other sources, notably the private sector, in synergy and complementarity with InvestEU, European structural and investment funds and other Union programmes.

Overall simplification efforts for the post-2020 CEF Regulation have been made according to the horizontal guidance under the framework of the Commission's global simplification measures. This will affect the new CEF in particular in the simplification of cost options, co-funding rates, stakeholder involvement and in the development of programme objectives, monitoring and reporting. The CEF 2021-2027 proposal aimed to provide for a further simplified legal framework notably through the possibility to delegate provisions and conditions to work programmes, facilitating further synergies between the three sectors and enabling CEF to adapt to future needs.

The programme simplification would lighten the regulatory burden and compliance costs for stakeholders and would consequently have a positive impact on EU competitiveness in the sectors concerned. It would also enable further digitisation efforts in accordance with the digital support services already in place for the implementation of the Programme (e.g. TENtec information system).

Estimated savings and benefits

The impact assessment for CEF outlined in particular the structure and priorities for the proposed continuation of the CEF programme after 2020 and looked into the options for the most optimal delivery. The impact assessment drew on lessons learned and experience from the CEF 2014-2020. Its mid-term evaluation was used as the principle source of data (in addition to the results of the public consultation organised as part of a series of consultation activities covering the entire spectrum of EU future funding and of more targeted exchanges with stakeholders in the case of synergies and renewable energy).

Using the lessons learned and considering the new challenges and developments (in particular in the area of the digital sector), the impact assessment analysed whether the objectives needed to be adjusted for the continued programme. It also identified the challenges ahead and analysed how CEF could deliver on the common objectives of the MFF such as simplification, greater flexibility and improved performance. The structure and priorities, the calibration with CEF 2014-2020 as well as the expected delivery mechanism of the new programme were further discussed from the perspective of the programme effectively attaining the set objectives. Alternative implementation options were assessed in particular concerning the extension of the programme’s scope of intervention, both in the digital pillar and for the cross-border projects in the field of renewable energy.

The impact assessment also looked into options and capacities for reinforcing synergies between the programme sectors. It assessed in particular the possibility to adopt joint work programmes covering specific priorities of several sectors and the removal of obstacles that have hampered synergies in the 2014-2020 period, notably as regards eligibility rules.

Outcome of Legislative Procedure

The co-legislators reached political agreement on the text of the Regulation in March 2021. The Commission could support compromises found during the interinstitutional negotiations. In regard with the simplification, the following provisions are of particular importance: a) the adoption of the work programmes by the Commission, b) Member States’ agreement with the proposals submitted, c) adoption of selection decisions, d) cumulative and alternative funding. Overall, the substance and objectives of Commission's proposal have been well preserved.

Estimated savings and benefits

The Regulation as finally adopted by the co-legislators stayed close to the initial Commission proposal, therefore estimated savings and benefits should largely be the same. No additional estimations were made.