The EU has introduced a new €600m funding call under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Energy to bolster cross-border hydrogen and carbon capture infrastructure projects. The funding is directed towards projects on the EU's Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) lists, which incorporate 65 hydrogen-related proposals. These projects aim to benefit from streamlined permitting and access to funding either through the CEF or national sources, with a legal permit limit to hasten development. The eligible projects span a spectrum of infrastructure, including hydrogen pipelines, electrolysers, storage, carbon capture, and CO2 transport. The European Commission stated that the funding is geared towards realizing key components of the EU's Green Deal and REPowerEU goals, facilitating energy market integration and scaling up low-carbon solutions. The sentiment in the article is positive, emphasizing the significance of intensified investments to foster an authentic energy union. The EU's Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jorgensen, highlighted the importance of these investments in enhancing competitiveness, ensuring energy security, and reducing energy costs for all. The article also mentions the previous CEF Energy call, which allocated €1.25bn to 35 projects, including 21 hydrogen proposals – marking a milestone for hydrogen-focused projects under the revised TEN-E regulation. The current funding initiative aims to continue the focus on infrastructure contributing to security of supply, market integration, and decarbonisation, aligning with EU climate objectives. Additionally, the EU's plan to invest €12bn in Central Asia for clean energy projects, as part of the Global Gateway Investment Package, signifies a step towards promoting sustainable energy developments globally. The upcoming Investors Forum in Uzbekistan further demonstrates efforts to advance clean energy initiatives in the region.