More than 1 500 ideas for new LIFE projects

Applicants from all EU countries are requesting some €2.8 billion in co-financing from the LIFE programme for new environmental projects. In total, the proposed projects are looking to invest more than €5.1 billion to protect nature and the environment.

The latest calls for “traditional” projects in LIFE’s environment sub-programme closed between 14 and 16 July 2020.  

More than 1 500 concept notes were submitted from across the EU. Some 56% of submissions are for environment and resource efficiency projects, 28% for nature and biodiversity, and 16% for the area of environmental governance and information. This is a new historical record and all this in COVID times! 

Even more interest in the LIFE programme 

The proposed projects have a total cost of over €5.1 billion, which is broken down as follows: 

• environment and resource efficiency: €2.8 billion; 
• nature and biodiversity: €1.8 billion; 
• environmental governance and information: €513 million. 

Applicants are seeking about €2.8 billion in contributions from the EU. The figure is up from €2.2 billion in 2019 and shows the high level of interest in the LIFE programme. 

‘Despite the complications caused by Covid-19, it’s fantastic to see that we have received even more project ideas than last year,’ said the LIFE programme’s Head of Unit Angelo Salsi. ‘The fact that people are applying from across the EU is very good news. It shows that the Green Deal is not just a vision, but already a way of thinking. I’m excited for the next phase,’ he added. 

Next steps 

The European Commission will now evaluate the concept notes and inform applicants of the results in November 2020. Those whose concept notes have been pre-selected will then be able to work on their full project proposals. The deadline for applicants to submit their full proposals is February 2021. 

Deadline breakdown per topic: 

Environment and resource efficiency 

Nature and biodiversity 

Environmental governance and information 

Calls for climate action projects still open 

Applicants to LIFE’s climate action sub-programme must submit a full proposal for “traditional” projects by 6 October 2020. There is no pre-selection through concept notes. 

See all open LIFE calls