Response to the Public Consultation on Connecting Europe Facility 2014-2020 Evaluation
May 2025
Our feedback on the public consultation regarding the evaluation of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2014–2020 underscores the programme’s critical role in advancing EU objectives for digital and green trade. Submitted by the DigitalTrade4.EU consortium—comprising 105 partners from 39 countries—we recommend strategically expanding CEF’s geographical scope to key Asia–Africa corridors, deepening alignment with global initiatives like DEPA and UNECE Rec. 49, strengthening SME engagement, and leveraging CEF co-financing to export EU standards such as Digital Product Passports, eIDAS 2.0, and GDPR. These steps will enhance CEF’s effectiveness, relevance, coherence, and EU added value in a rapidly evolving global trade landscape.