The European Commission approved on 30 April funding for 225 new projects under the LIFE+ programme, the European Union’s environment fund. The projects selected were submitted by beneficiaries in all 28 Member States and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, climate change, environmental policy and information and communication on environmental issues across the EU. Overall, they represent a total investment of some 589.3 million, of which the EU will provide 282.6 million.
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The Commission received 1,468 applications in response to its latest call for proposals, which closed in June 2013.
Of these, 225 were selected for co-funding through the programme’s three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance and LIFE+ Information and Communication.
1) LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity projects
improve the conservation status of endangered species and habitats. Of the 342 proposals received, the Commission selected 92 projects for funding from partnerships of conservation bodies, government authorities and other parties. Led by project beneficiaries in 25 Member States, they represent a total investment of 262.5 million, of which the EU will provide some 147.9 million. The majority (79) are Nature projects, contributing to the implementation of the Birds and/or Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network. The other 13 are Biodiversity projects, a LIFE+ project category for pilot schemes that tackle wider biodiversity issues.
2) LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance projects
are pilot projects that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments. Of the 961 proposals received, the Commission selected 125 projects for funding from a wide range of public and private sector organisations. The winning projects, led by project beneficiaries in 22 Member States, represent a total investment of 318.5 million, of which the EU will provide some 130.8 million.
Under this component, the Commission will contribute more than 41.2 million to 33 projects directly tackling climate change, with a total budget of 109.4 million. The selected projects, situated in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, are highlighted in the annex to this press release. In addition, many other projects focusing on other issues will also have an indirect impact on greenhouse emissions.
Other important areas of focus include waste and natural resources, innovation, water, and chemicals.
3) LIFE+ Information and Communication projects
disseminate information and raise the profile of environmental issues. Of the 165 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding eight (8) projects from a range of public and private sector nature and/or environment organisations. The projects are based in six Member States – Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Poland and Romania – and represent a total investment of 8.3 million, of which the EU will provide some 3.9 million.
Half of the eight projects are concerned with EU environmental policy campaigns, three aim to raise awareness about nature and biodiversity matters and the remaining one is focused on forest fire prevention.
Background
LIFE+ is the European financial instrument for the environment and has a total budget of 2.1 billion for the period 2007-2013. The Commission launched one call for LIFE+ project proposals per year.
The LIFE programme will continue from 2014-2020 under the new LIFE Regulation for Environment and Climate Action. The programme has a total budget for the period of 3.4 billion in December 2013 prices, and will have a sub-programme for environment and a sub-programme for climate action.
Further information
See a summary and contact email address of all the new projects funded under LIFE+
, broken down by country (+ annex with the projects for your country translated in the language of your country)
