New CEF Digital call relating to submarine cables
ZAGREB, 26 June 2026 - Following the closed pilot call for the Baltic Sea region, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital programme of the European Commission (EC) launched a new call for proposals on 23 June 2026 to co-finance deployable modules for the emergency repair of submarine cables. The call focuses on the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and other sea basins, and will fund modules strategically positioned to serve these maritime areas. The call is open until 8 October 2026, with a total budget of EUR 40 million available for projects.
The call complements projects establishing Regional Cable Hubs, for which the European Commission is providing EUR 5.8 million in co-financing. The first project is being implemented in the Baltic Sea and is coordinated by Finland, with Germany, Latvia, Denmark, Sweden and Estonia participating. It has been awarded EUR 2.5 million in EU co-financing. The second project, covering the Mediterranean Sea, is coordinated by Italy, with Greece, Cyprus and Malta as partner countries. It has received EUR 3.3 million in EU co-financing.
The repair modules funded under the new CEF call are intended to be rapidly installed and deployed on existing cable repair vessels at the request of the new Regional Cable Hubs or other competent authorities. The call is aimed at public bodies with a mandate for emergency response, such as civil protection authorities, national emergency response agencies, coast guards and navies. Each Member State must confirm the status of the applicant through a mandatory Letter of Support.
The modules may only be used in response to emergencies declared by the competent authority. They are to be deployed on pre-configured flat-deck vessels capable of accommodating the modules with only minor modifications and operational preparations, and without regulatory or technical obstacles.
An Information Day on the call is scheduled to be held by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) on 2 July 2026.
Further information on the call is available via the link.
For additional information please contact:
Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM)
- Roberta Frangeša-Mihanovića 9 Street
- 10110 Zagreb, Croatia
- Tel. + 385 (0) 1 700 70 07
- Fax + 385 (0)1 700 70 70
Media inquiries can be submitted online using HAKOM’s official website: www.hakom.hr
About Hakom
HAKOM - Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries – ensures preconditions for a fair market competition, stable growth and environment for innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market. HAKOM protects users’ interests and the possibility of choice among various communications and postal services at affordable prices, defines sustainable competitive conditions for operators and service providers under fair conditions for return on investment, and provides support to economic growth, public services and the quality of life in the Republic of Croatia by using modern technologies. HAKOM’ strategic goals are: to promote regulation of the electronic communications and postal services market, to support growth of investments and innovations in the electronic communications and postal services market, to provide efficient use of limited resources, to accelerate the growth of broadband products and services, to provide affordable offers of communications and postal services, to provide protection and informing of users, to build an efficient and comprehensive information system, to define and implement efficient processes, and to acquire multi-disciplinary expertise in market regulation.