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 some 4.306 projects. For the 2014-2020 funding period, LIFE will contribute approximately €3.4 billion to the protection of the environment and climate (source: europa.eu website, 04/11/2016).

The ‘Environment’ strand of the new programme covers three priority areas: environment and resource efficiency; nature and biodiversity; and environmental governance and information. The ‘Climate Action’ strand covers climate change mitigation; climate change adaptation; and climate governance and information.

Particularly, Climate change Adaptation strand focuses on innovative practices and measures that promote resilient communities, safeguard natural resources, encourage protection of ecosystems and foster adaptive technologies for economic sectors that are vulnerable to climate change. By tackling possible threats and hazardous events such as water scarcity, severe droughts, forest fires or floods, the LIFE projects strategically underpin the implementation of the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change.

In 2015, the European Commission has approved an investment package of €222.7 million from the EU budget to support Europe’s transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future. The EU funding will spur additional investments leading to a total of €398.6 million to be invested into 144 new projects in 23 Member States under the LIFE Programme.

For more information please click here.

The Green Link is funded by the LIFE Climate change Adaptation strand.