The Life Programme, operating throughout the European Union (EU), offers funding for Environment, Nature Conservation, and Climate Action projects. Eligible entities include legal persons in the EU, such as public and private organizations, NGOs, and community groups. Annually, a call for proposals is issued, with awards ranging from €1 million to €5 million for projects spanning three to five years. Co-financing rates vary from 60% to 95%, depending on project type and topic. The programme’s four sub-programs are nature and biodiversity, circular economy and quality of life, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and clean energy transition.

The nature and biodiversity sub-programme focuses on protecting and restoring Europe’s nature, supporting the implementation of EU directives, and contributing to the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy. Climate change mitigation and adaptation prioritize reducing emissions and enhancing resilience. Circular economy and quality of life projects work towards resource recovery, environmental governance, and align with the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan.

Standard Action Projects (SAPs) are possible in the three sub-programmes, with co-funding rates ranging from 60% to 75%. Additionally, Strategic Nature Projects (SNAP) and Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP) under these sub-programmes receive a maximum co-funding rate of 60%. SNAPs mainstream biodiversity objectives into Member States’ policies, while SIPs implement environmental or climate strategies on a regional scale.

The clean energy transition (CET) sub-programme aims to facilitate a transition to a sustainable energy-based economy. The 2023 call includes LIFE Other Action Grants (OAGs) – Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) with 95% funding. These topics build on previous calls from the Intelligent Energy Europe programme and Horizon2020 Energy.

For more information, guidelines, and FAQs, applicants can visit the European Commission’s LIFE website or contact [email protected].