Environmental protection

LIFE+

Elements of the Programme

The LIFE+ Programme is implemented by the European Commission on the basis of annual calls for proposals. Around 78 per cent of the funding will be used for project grants in Member States, with 50 per cent of this dedicated to “Nature” and “Biodiversity”. At least 15 per cent of the total allocated to project grants will fund transnational projects. The remainder of the funding will be used for operational expenses and to fund activities that have a more trans-European character, such as support for NGOs.

LIFE+ has the following components:

  1. LIFE+ Nature – co-financing best practice or demonstration projects concerned with implementing the objectives of the EU Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive, including Natura 2000 networks.

  2. LIFE+ Biodiversity - co-financing demonstration or innovation projects that contribute to the implementation of the Commission’s Communication “On halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 – and beyond”.
  3. LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance - contributing to the development of innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments and the building up of the knowledge base regarding environmental policy and legislation.
  4. LIFE+ Information and Communication - co-financing projects dealing with dissemination of information, raising awareness and developing specific skills on environmental issues, such as forest fire prevention.

The Commission is responsible for organising the annual calls for proposals and selecting those to be funded. The selection process is rigorous and external technical experts assist the Commission in making its decisions. The criteria that will used to select projects is normally published in advance.

Member States are responsible for receiving all the project proposals within their national territory, and transmitting them to the Commission.

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Implementation in the UK

Defra is the national competent authority for LIFE+ in the UK. Beta Technology act as the UK National Contact Point for LIFE+ (on behalf of Defra) and provide a range of services to assist applicants in proposal preparation.. They are responsible for collecting UK applications on behalf of Defra.

Further information

Page last modified: 14 November 2008

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs