LIFE – Nature & Biodiversity – Standard Action Projects (SAP) – 2026

Objective

To lead to a smart and outcome-based implementation of the EU nature and biodiversity legislation and the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030.

Priorities

• Priority 1: project aimed at improving the condition of species or habitats through area-based conservation or restoration measures
• Priority 2: project aimed at improving the condition of species through any relevant activities other than area-based conservation or restoration measures
• Priority 3: behavioural change and awareness-raising initiatives
• Priority 4: compliance assurance, as well as public participation and access to justice
• Priority 5: enabling actions for the replication and upscaling of proven solutions

Eligibility

• Be legal entities (public or private bodies)
• Be established in one of the eligible countries:
  • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories)
  • Non-EU states: listed EEA countries and countries associated to the LIFE Programme (list of participating countries)
• The coordinator must be established in an eligible country.
• Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting the proposal.

Additional information

• Initial duration of the action: maximum 120 months

Extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment.

• Contact: CINEA-LIFE-ENQUIRIES@ec.europa.eu

Useful

• Guidelines: Click here
• Other call documents: Click here
• Executive Agency website: Click here
• More information: Click here

• Total budget of the call: 173.5 million euros
• Budget per topic:
  • LIFE-2026-SAP-NAT-NATURE : 166 million euros
  • LIFE-2026-SAP-NAT-GOV : 7.5 million euros
• Amount of the grant: between 1.000.000 and 13.000.000 euros

The grant awarded may be lower than the amount requested.

• Funding rate: up to 60% of the total eligible costs