EU's Marco Polo offers 65 million euro in funding

With 65 million euro in available funds, Marco Polo invites transport and logistics companies across Europe to propose new projects to reduce road transport. The most innovative, operational ideas for rethinking the logistics chain can receive a significant grant.

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZavokQG8F3g&feature=plcp
In a new animated clip, we follow a trucker on the road, discovering the benefits of the programme. He reaches a new destination, a greener Europe, and invites others to join in and apply for a grant as well.

Candidates can apply here: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/marcopolo/getting-funds.

A 64 000 km traffic jam avoided!
Some 164 grants have been awarded so far, with 624 companies involved; half of which were SMEs. In 2010 alone, these efforts created 306 million euro in environmental benefits, removing 14 billion tonne-kilometres of freight off European roads.

By the end of the programme's first 10 years, an expected 4 million truck trips will be avoided, with an average distance of 1000 km for their journeys. All these trucks together would create a massive 64,000-km traffic jam!

To apply with your project contact:
Helpdesk: eaci-marco-polo-helpdesk@ec.europa.eu
+32 2 29 50 924

- Notes to Editors -

Marco Polo
Marco Polo is the EU funding programme for freight transporters, shippers and logistic operators, committed to sustainable transport of goods across Europe. It pursues the reduction of congestion on Europe's roads by shifting freight off the road to more environmentally friendly modes of transport, such as short-sea shipping, rail and inland waterways.

http://ec.europa.eu/marcopolo

EACI
The Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation was established by the European Commission to ensure the effective management of three EU-funding schemes and a European business network. EACI's team is made up of specialists on energy, the environment, business support and multi-modal transport.

http://ec.europa.eu/eaci

Press and media enquiries
Ciara O'Shea or Laura Thomas
Spreckley Partners PR
oshea@spreckley.co.uk / thomas@spreckley.co.uk
0207 388 9988

Andrea Pascal
andrea.pascal@ec.europa.eu
+32 2 29 90 452