RNE is proactively preparing for a potential role as the future Network Coordinator, ensuring readiness to support the European Network of Infrastructure Managers (ENIM) under the proposed EU Regulation. This project analyces the regulatory framework, organizational setup, and financial implications to position RNE as a strong candidate for this crucial role.

Aim of the project

The project stems from the legislative proposal referred to in the section “Current situation-background“.  RNE is a strong candidate for the role of Network Coordinator, already carrying out, partly or fully, the envisaged operative tasks; as the Sponsor Organization of the project, RNE wants to be sure to be ready, in case it is chosen to take over this role.

Current situation – background

The current legislative proposal for an EU Regulation[1] on use of railway infrastructure capacity, amending EU Dir. 2012/34 and Reg. 913/2010, published in July 2023 envisages a number of results to be achieved by the future European Network of Infrastructure Managers (ENIM), with the operational support of the future so-called Network Coordinator (NC). The NC will be asked to carry out several activities and to prepare several deliverables, but the legislative proposal (still) does not give details as to its organisation, legal status, operational relationships with ENIM and so on.

Project’s goals

The goals of the project are to analyse the mentioned proposal for a Regulation, perform all assessments needed and put in place all necessary actions, in order to prepare RNE to potentially take over the role of Network Coordinator.

In particular:

• Sub-Project 1 – Scope of activities will make sure that RNE has a clear view on
  • activities already covered by RNE portfolio vs. new activities to be launchedactivities covered by the draft regulation vs other RNE activities
  • any potential needs for differentiation between NC tasks and other tasks in the decision-making process and in terms of budget planning.
    
• Sub-Project 2 – Organisation, in close cooperation with the PRIME Governance sub-group, will deal with organisational topics such as: 
  • type of organisation that the NC shall havethe level and the type of participation for IMs (membership)decision-making processesrelationship between ENIM and NC
  • others if the case.
    
• Sub-Project 3 – Frameworks will:
  • Execute an in-depth gap analysis between existing RNE documents and the requirements of the new Regulation regarding structure and contents of the FrameworksDefine the general scope and structure of the Frameworks following a gap analysisProvide a scenario deliverable, containing, among others,
    • RNE documents/activities that meet regulatory requirementsRNE documents needing adjustmentsActivities/Projects that RNE needs to set up to provide completely missing contentsContents in RNE portfolio, not included in the minimum requirements of the Framework in the Regulations that may be included in the FrameworkTechnical support to adapt the wording of the Regulation to better clarify specific aspects
    Draft proposals for two to three Frameworks^[2] (prototype)
  • Ensure close cooperation with RNE NS&CID WG, so that NS CS update can also be prepared in due time
    
• Sub project 4 – Financing will:
  • Establish the financial framework for the future Network CoordinatorSupport RNE IM Members by coordinating them in the CEF Funding activities connected with the implementation of the requirements stemming from the Regulation
  • Assess the financial needs as well the availabilities both for the central entity (Network Coordinator) and the IMs (RNE and ENIM members) when the Regulation will enter into force.

[1] hereafter (new/draft) “Regulation”

[2] Depending on the decision, still pending, on which entity (Network Coordinator or other) shall be responsible of the drafting of the Framework for Performance Review