Basic information about LIFE programme

The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental policy and legislation by co-financing pilot or demonstration projects with European added value.

LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU, as well as in some candidate, acceding and neighbouring countries.  The legal basis for LIFE+ is the Regulation (EC) No 614/2007. LIFE+ covers both the operational expenditure of DG Environment and the co-financing of projects.

The current phase of the programme, LIFE+, runs from 2007-2013 and has a budget of €2.143 billion, from which at least 78% is allocated for projects implementation and from this min 50% to LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity projects. During the period 2007-2013, the European Commission will launch one call for LIFE+ project proposals per year. Proposals must be eligible under one of the programme’s three components:

1. LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity

2. LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance

3. LIFE+ Information and Communication.

Eligibility criteria
Projects financed by LIFE+ must satisfy the following criteria:

• Projects must be of EU interest, making a significant contribution to the achievement of the general objective of LIFE+;

• They must be technically and financially coherent and feasible and provide value for money;

• Where possible, projects financed by LIFE+ should promote synergies between different priorities under the 6th Environmental Action Programme, and integration.