LIFE encourages climate and environmental innovations
The name ‘LIFE’ officially stands for L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement. This is since 1992 the main European funding programme for innovations in the field of climate and environment. Unique to the programme is its flexibility and thematic ‘bottom-up’ approach. A project may be small or large, short or long, it may involve a new method or just communication and awareness-raising: everything fits within the programme’s scope. And above all, let’s not forget the relatively high grant amounts and percentages. All this makes LIFE an attractive grant instrument that offers great opportunities.
For the period 2021-2027, LIFE has four thematic sub-programmes, covering several topics:
- Nature and Biodiversity:
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- nature protection and restoration (in Natura 2000 areas)
- protection of endangered species
- facilitating behavioural change, changing management and maintenance, protecting natural resources
- improving compliance with European regulations, ensuring application, increasing access to justice.
- Circular Economy and Quality of Life:
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- more efficient use of resources, circular design, re-use of waste
- improving air, water and soil quality, chemicals management, noise reduction.
- Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation:
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- reducing greenhouse gas emissions, e.g. through legislation/policy or innovative technologies/methods
- adapting to climate change (adaptation)
- working on climate policy and awareness, e.g. through communication, cooperation or dissemination of knowledge.
- Clean Energy Transition:
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- building a national, regional and local policy framework that supports the transition to renewable energy
- accelerating technology, digitalisation, new services and business models and improving related professional skills in the
- attracting private financing for renewable energy
- supporting the development of local and regional investment projects
- involving and empowering citizens in the transition to renewable energy.
The first sub-programme focuses on nature protection and restoration. The other three are mainly about facilitating the transition to a sustainable and climate-neutral economy.
Which projects fit the LIFE grant?
Companies, knowledge institutions, government organisations and NGOs working in the EU can receive attractive LIFE grants for:
- best-practice projects in which proven methods are developed
- demonstration and pilot projects to further test and develop new methods and approaches
- communication projects (e.g. to raise awareness).
LIFE projects are often, but not exclusively, implemented by partnerships (consortia) with several European partners. Grant amounts depend on the maximum grant percentages applicable to the specific calls. For so-called ‘traditional projects’ (Standard Action Projects or SAPs), there are no specific provisions for the project budget. Please note: past LIFE calls have shown that smaller projects (less than 500,000 euro) are rarely selected for funding.
New LIFE grant calls expected in April 2024!
On 18 April, the LIFE calls for proposals 2024 are expected to be published, involving:
- Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for circular economy and quality of life
- Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for nature and biodiversity
- Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Coordination & Support Action Grants (CSA) for sub-programme Clean Energy Transition
- Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) and Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs)
- Technical Assistance for Preparation of SIPs/SNAPs
- Technical Assistance Replication
- Framework Partnership Agreements (FPA OG)
- Specific Operating Grant Agreements (SGA OG)
- LIFE Preparatory Projects (addressing ad hoc Legislative and Policy Priorities – PLP).
Most of the anticipated submission deadlines are on 19 September 2024 (with some exceptions).
What can PNO do for you?
The LIFE programme only rewards the (very) best applications with funding. Therefore, we advise interested parties not to wait for the announced starting dates of the news calls. Submit your project (or plans) to our LIFE experts right now! They will be happy to tell you what the chances are for a grant from LIFE (or perhaps another grant scheme). With their help, you can start ‘designing’ your project well and start your preparations in time, so that a timely submission is guaranteed.
The experts at PNO and EGEN have many years of experience with LIFE grants. They are happy to help you write an optimal application. For example, in the field of nature protection, noise reduction, or efficient use of raw materials, new recycling techniques, waste reuse, climate adaptation, emission reduction, or more conscious energy consumption. Do not hesitate, call 0031 88 838 13 81 or send a message:
