LIFE – 2021-2027

LIFE – EU financing instrument for environment and climate action – Grants linked to the financing of EU environment and climate action policy

Created in 1992, the LIFE programme is the EU’s financing instrument for environment and climate action. The LIFE programme is divided into two sub-programmes, one for the environment (representing 75% of the overall financial envelope) and one for climate action (representing 25% of the envelope).

Objectives 

• To develop, demonstrate and promote innovative techniques, methods and approaches for reaching the objectives of Union legislation and policy on the environment, including nature and biodiversity, and on climate action, including the transition to renewable energy and increased energy efficiency, and to contribute to the knowledge base and to the application of best practice, in particular in relation to nature and biodiversity, including through the support of the Natura 2000 network
• To support the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of relevant Union legislation and policy on the environment, including nature and biodiversity, and on climate action and the transition to renewable energy or increased energy efficiency, including by improving governance at all levels, in particular by enhancing the capacities of public and private actors and the involvement of civil society
• To act as a catalyst for the large-scale deployment of successful technical and policy-related solutions for implementing relevant Union legislation and policy on the environment, including nature and biodiversity, and on climate action and the transition to renewable energy or increased energy efficiency, by replicating results, by integrating related objectives into other policies and into public and private sector practices, by mobilising investment and by improving access to finance

Structure

• LIFE-Environment
  • Nature and Biodiversity
  • Circular economy and quality of life

• LIFE-Climate Action
  •  Transition to clean energy
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation

Priorities

• Boosting and integrating the implementation of the EU’s policy objectives for halting and reversing loss of wildlife habitats and species across all sectors, as well as the Biodiversity Strategy objectives for 2030
• Supporting the transition to a circular economy and protecting and improving the quality of EU’s natural resources, including air, soil and water among others
• Supporting implementation of the 2030 energy and climate policy framework, the EU’s climate neutrality objective by 2050, and the new EU strategy on adaptation to climate change
• Building capacity, stimulating investments and supporting implementation of policies focused on energy efficiency and small-scale renewables.

Actions financed

• Information and communication, including awareness-raising campaigns, and corporate communication regarding the political priorities of the Union, as well as regarding the implementation and transposition status of environmental, climate or relevant energy legislation of the Union
• Studies, surveys, modelling and scenario building
• Preparation, implementation, monitoring, checking and evaluation of legislation, policies and programmes, as well as assessment and analysis of projects not funded by the LIFE Programme
• Workshops, conferences and meetings
• Networking, and best-practice platforms
• Other activities, such as awarding prizes