The European Commission is increasing LIFE programme funding by almost 60% from 2021 to 2027. LIFE will also expand into four new sub-programmes: Nature and biodiversity; Circular economy and quality of life; Climate change mitigation and adaptation; and a new addition called Clean energy transition.
What is this new sub-programme?
Building on the success of the Intelligent Energy Europe (2003-2013) and Horizon Europe 2020 Energy Efficiency (2014-2020) programmes, the LIFE Clean energy transition sub-programme continues to support EU policies in the field of sustainable energy. In particular, the new sub-programme will focus on the European Green Deal, the Energy Union and the Clean Energy for All Europeans package (energy performance in buildings, energy efficiency, renewable energy and governance regulation).
What are its goals?
It will ease the transition towards an energy-efficient, renewable energy-based, climate-neutral and resilient economy. And it aims to remove the market barriers that can hamper the socio-economic transition to sustainable energy. To do this, the new sub-programme will typically work with the public sector, industry, non-profit organisations and consumer organisations.
How much funding is available?
There is a budget of nearly €1 billion from 2021 to 2027.
What kinds of projects will be financed?
Projects will focus on five key areas:
- Building a national, regional and local policy framework that supports the clean energy transition
- Accelerating technology roll-out, digitalisation, new services and business models as well as improving skills
- Attracting private finance for sustainable energy projects
- Supporting local and regional investment projects
- Involving and empowering citizens in the clean energy transition
To get an idea of the kinds of projects that LIFE Clean energy transition will soon fund, see some successes under the previous H2020 Energy Efficiency programme below:
- Supporting the alleviation of energy poverty
- Helping consumers to select the most energy-efficient appliances
- Making sustainable energy an attractive investment for public and private investors
- Supporting public authorities to become clean energy transition leaders
- Facilitating new smart energy services and business models
Where is there more information?
More details on the LIFE Clean energy transition sub-programme
Note: LIFE is expected to publish its Multi-Annual Work Programme (MAWP) for 2021-2024 and a Call for proposals this coming June.
Details
- Publication date
- 14 April 2021