The EU Commission announced a investment of over 110 millions in the LIFE programme integrated projects to protect climate and environment. The funding was selected following a call-for-proposals for proposals that covered the year 2020. The funding will support new major environmental and climate projects in 11 EU countries – Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland and Slovenia.
The projects contribute to a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and support the European Green Deal’s objectives of making the EU climate neutral and zero-pollution by 2050. These projects are examples of actions that will help deliver key European Green Deal targets under the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.
The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. It has been in operation since 1992 and has funded more than 5,500 projects throughout the EU and beyond. The Commission has increased funding for LIFE by almost 60% in the 2021-2027 timeframe. It now stands at 5.4 million. LIFE currently includes four sub-programmes, including nature and biodiversity, circular economic and quality of life and climate change mitigation, adaptation, and clean energies transition.
The LIFE program provides funding for integrated projects. These projects are designed to support the implementation of EU climate legislation and policies on a regional, multi-regional and national level. Integrated projects allow Member States to comply with EU legislation in six key areas: nature conservation; water, air and waste management; climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Integrated projects enable Member States to pool additional EU funding sources such as agricultural, structural and regional funds, national funding, and private sector investment. Together, the 11 projects are expected attract more than 10 Billion in complementary funds. This will significantly increase the resources available today to make a significant difference on the ground.
Frans Timmermans, the Executive Vice President responsible for the European Green Deal, said that there is no time for waste when it comes climate, biodiversity, or pollution crises. The LIFE programme supports projects in the EU directly and allows entire countries and regions of the world to restore and protect nature. Nature is our greatest ally, and we must take care of her so that she can take care us. Each of the selected projects deserves my congratulations.
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