Financial and economic analysis of infrastructure transport projects with the participation of EU funds

Purpose/reason for writing the paper: Carrying out a cost-benefit analysis of large infrastructure projects in the area of transport causes considerable difficulties and problems in identifying the positive and negative factors of project implementation, and their translation into cash flows generated by the project. The aim of the paper is to present problem solving in the course of financial analysis and economic analysis of an infrastructure transport project. Methodology/approach to problem solving/scope of the study: The scope of the study and the approach to the problem include: • presentation of the role of cost-benefit analysis in the process of assessing the competitiveness of infrastructure transport projects in terms of making decisions about their co-financing from community funds; • characteristics of general assumptions of financial analysis and economic analysis of projects in the transport sector; • discussion of the methodologies of quantification and monetization of socio-economic factors and factors influencing the external environment in the process of assessing the economic effects of a transport project on the regional and national scale; • indication of the latest sources of methodological support for the preparation of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of the project; • embedding the issues of financial and economic analysis in the context of the requirements for beneficiaries' application for grants from the funds. Arrangements: Different methodologies are used in transport projects to quantify and monetize the impact of individual factors on the external and socio-economic environment. The paper indicates the latest methodological studies, the scope of their application, examples of calculations and recommendations for beneficiaries on how to adjust the information they have to a specific project situation. Practical implications: Adaptation of the Beneficiary to the applicable and recommendation source materials, knowledge of methodologies for conducting analyses increases the probability of reliable preparation of documentation and obtaining a positive decision regarding financial support for the planned investment project. Social implications: Correct and consistent analysis of projects increases the effectiveness of obtaining their co-financing from EU funds. On the other hand, the implementation of modern infrastructure transport projects is a social good that increases the comfort of passengers, reduces the operating costs of carriers, reduces carbon dioxide emissions, noise and local environmental pollution, contributes to saving time and reducing road accidents. Originality/value of the study (for whom?): The paper is directed and will be useful for investors, as well as beneficiaries of community funds, in order to prepare project documentation for the implementation, execution and operation of infrastructure projects in the field of transport.