The European Commission has launched the first call for proposals under the LIFE funding programme for projects dedicated to the environment.
The LIFE sub-programme for environment will provide €238.86 million in 2014 to develop and implement innovative ways to respond to environmental challenges across Europe, focusing on the conservation of nature and biodiversity, resource efficiency and environmental governance and information.
Commenting on the new funding, European Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said:
"Innovative environmental and nature conservation projects around Europe will receive more funds than ever before. This will help achieve sustainable growth through investment in a resource-efficient economy and will help member states and local authorities to implement plans and strategies in key policy areas like nature, waste, air and water."
The sub-programme is part of the EU LIFE Programme 2014-2020 and will provide €2,592 million for the environment over the next seven years. It will also support better governance, dissemination of information and awareness-raising on environmental matters.
Interested organisations are being encouraged to start preparations as early as possible by developing their project ideas, forming partnerships with relevant stakeholders and identifying complementary financial support. For "traditional projects", the Commission particularly welcomes proposals in line with the priority project topics set out in the LIFE multi-annual work programme for 2014-2017.
The deadline for applications for traditional projects is 16 October 2014, while for integrated projects it has been fixed at 10 October 2014. The next call for LIFE proposals will target operating grants for non-profit organisations active at European level in climate and environmental issues and will be launched this autumn.
The LIFE EU funding programme that has been running since 1992 and has co-financed more than 4,000 projects. The EU LIFE Programme for Environment and Climate Action 2014-2020 is divided into two programming periods: 2014-2017 and 2018-2020.
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