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The Marco Polo I Programme was developed in 2003. The purpose of which is to shift freight flows from road transport to other modes of transport such as railway, short sea shipping, inland waterways or to combinations of transport modes where road journeys are as short as possible. The aim of the Programme is to improve environmental efficiency of transport system and develop inter-modal transportation in such a way making a contribution to an effective and sustainable transport system.
Until 2006 this Programme offers funding for three types of actions:
1. Modal shift action the purpose of which is to shift the largest possible amount of freight from road to short sea shipping, railway and inland waterways or to the combinations of these transport modes.
Upon the submission of the proposal under this action, it should be noted that:
- under 1 project at least 250 million of tonne-kilometres of freight must be shifted from road to other modes of transport or to their combinations (i.e, equals to 500 000 EUR of requested minimum support);
- maximum EU support - 30% of all eligible costs;
- supporting infrastructure may be granted not more than 20% of the support;
- the project must be implemented within the period of 3 years.
2. Catalyst action should replace the mode used for freight transportation in the Community by other means of transport other than automobiles, i.e., innovative projects must be prepared under this action the aim of which is to overcome Community structural barriers in freight transport market impeding effective functioning of the market, hindering competitiveness of short sea shipping, railway and inland waterways and (or) effectiveness of transport chains.
Upon the submission of the proposal under this action, it should be noted that:
- a minimum requested support sum for 1 project must be 1.500.000 EUR;
- maximum EU support - 35% of all eligible costs;
- supporting infrastructure may be granted not more than 20% of the support;
- the project must be implemented within the period of 4 years;
- the results of the project must be disseminated (a promotion plan must be prepared).
3. Common learning action should extend knowledge in the sector of freight logistics and would promote new cooperation methods and procedures in freight market.
Upon the submission of the proposal under this action, it should be noted that:
- a minimum requested support sum for 1 project must be 250.000 EUR;
- maximum EU support - 50% of all eligible costs;
- the project must be implemented within the period of 2 years;
- the results of the project must be disseminated (a promotion plan must be prepared).
The Marco Polo I Programme offers financing only for service projects, projects of transport infrastructure modernisation are not allowed under this Programme.
The Marco Polo I Programme is regulated by the Regulation No. 1382/2003 of the European Parliament and Council of
Eligible applicants
Projects to the European Commission can be submitted only by consortiums consisting of at least 2 undertakings which conduct economic activity and which are established in different EU Member States or at least in one EU Member State and in one near-situated third country (EU candidate countries (Romania, Bulgaria), EFTA-EEA countries (Norway, Island, Liechtenstein)).
Projects must be of international importance.
Calls for proposals are published once a year (usually in October).
Conditions for the submission of proposals are laid down in the call.
Previously published calls and their conditions are available at the website of the European Commission
http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/marcopolo/index_en.htm
Contact persons:
During the preparation of proposals consultations are provided by:
1. the European Commission (Commission‘s Marco Polo helpdesk) by e-mail:
or by fax: +3222963765.
2. Jurgita Markauskiene, Chief Specialist of Projects Management Division of Strategic Planning and Finance Department of the Ministry of Communications and Transport by e-mail:
or by telephone: +37052393929.
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