LIFE Programme
What is LIFE+?
The European Commission has implemented a new, simple and streamlined funding programme for the environment. It started in 2007 when the EU's new budgetary period began. The new programme called ‘LIFE+’ (LIFEPlus) has become the EU's single financial instrument targeting only the environment.
LIFE+ closely supports the four priorities of the 6th Environment Action Programme (6EAP running from 2002-2012).
These are:
- Climate change
- Nature and bio-diversity
- Health and quality of life
- Natural resources and waste
The Commission has proposed to commit a total of €2.143 billion from 2007 to 2013 to LIFE+, with at least 78% of the budget used for the co-financing of project action grants. Of this at least 50% is allocated for nature and biodiversity projects. The final 22% is for the operational expenses of DG Environment.
During the period 2007-2013 the European Commission will launch one call for LIFE+ projects per year. The amount allocated for co-financing projects under the 2008 call for proposals is set at €207.5 million.
LIFE+ is designed to contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and communication of EU environment policy. The Commission has created three strands:
- LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity– funds demonstration and/or innovation projects that contribute to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives (Nature) and demonstration and/or innovation projects contributing to the implementation of the Commission Communications “Halting the loss of Biodiversity by 2010 – and beyond” (Biodiversity)
- LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance- funds demonstration and innovation projects aimed at adding measurable social and economic benefits to environmental benefits and building on a knowledge based approach. It aims to bridge the gap between research and development results and widespread implementation and to improve innovative solutions with a pubic dimension.
- LIFE+ Information and Communication– funds projects that implement communication and awareness raising campaigns on environmental, nature protection or biodiversity conservation issues
What will it fund?
The Life+ programme will usually fund 50% of the projects total eligible costs. There is no fixed minimum size for project budgets, but large, ambitious proposals are encouraged. Historically the average grant awarded has be over €1 million.
Projects can either be based in entirely in one member state or transnational (within the EU). A transnational proposals should only be submitted if there are sufficient arguments for an added value of the transnational approach. If the application can provide evidence of this then it will be considered for higher scoring.
There is no pre-determined project duration, but most last for 2-5 years.
LIFE+ National Contact Point
Beta Technology has been appointed as the UK National contact point on behalf of DEFRA. This organisation offers a free and confidential to all organisations that would like to find out more information or participate in LIFE+, and receives the applications for collection and pre-screening prior to submission to DEFRA and from there to the Commission.
