The LIFE Programme
LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation and climate action projects throughout the EU. Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed more than 5,400 projects. For the current funding period 2014-2020, LIFE has contributed approximately €3.4 billion to the protection of the environment and climate.
The Climate Action strand of the new programme covers three priority areas: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, and climate governance and information.
Particularly, the Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) sub-programme supports projects in the areas of renewable energies, energy efficiency, farming, land use, and peatland management. It provides action grants for best practice, pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the implementation and development of EU policy and law, best practices and solutions. The European Commission is particularly looking for technologies and solutions that are ready to be implemented in close-to-market conditions, at industrial or commercial scale, during the project duration. The sub-programme also promotes knowledge sharing and integrated approaches, such as for climate change mitigation strategies and action plans at local, regional or national level.
For the period 2021-2027, the European Commission proposes to raise the budget to €5.4 billion. The new LIFE programme would have four sub-programmes: nature and biodiversity; circular economy and quality of life; climate change mitigation and adaptation; and clean energy transition.
"Life Terra fits perfectly with the logic of our policymakers, so much that it contributes almost potentially to half of the total goal so a single project is no longer a small contribution to the implementation of a policy, but it could become a macroscopic contribution".
Interview Angelo Salsi – Head of LIFE Unit
Mr. Salsi explains the virtues of the Life Programme that he has helped shape over the last 25 years. We are particularly grateful for his commitment and support to Life Terra and its ambitious objectives to reach and involve all European citizens in taking direct climate action.
LIFE projects receive from the European Commission a co-funding of up to 55%. For more information please click here.