Cohesion Fund (CF)
The Cohesion Fund supports major environmental and transport infrastructure projects in lower-income EU countries to reduce regional disparities and promote sustainability.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Operational programme/project submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: ~€48.03 billion total budget for 2021–2027; award size varies by national/regional programme.
Summary: Supports environment and transport infrastructure investments to strengthen cohesion in lower-income EU Member States.
Key Information: For projects in eligible EU countries with GNI per capita below 90% of EU average; managed via national/regional authorities.
Description
The Cohesion Fund (CF) is a major European Union funding instrument aimed at strengthening economic, social, and territorial cohesion by reducing disparities between EU regions. It specifically targets EU Member States with a gross national income (GNI) per capita below 90% of the EU-27 average. The fund primarily supports large-scale investments in the environment (such as climate adaptation, water, and waste management) and in trans-European transport infrastructure networks (TEN-T).
Funding is delivered through dedicated national or regional programmes under a shared management model, meaning that the European Commission and Member States' authorities jointly oversee project selection and implementation. The fund is governed by the Common Provisions Regulation and is a central part of the EU’s regional policy for the 2021–2027 period.
