New LIFE standard action project proposals have total budget of €2.7 billion

The 2021 Call for these so-called standard action projects closed on 30 November 2021, and we can reveal that there are applications from almost all EU countries. The proposals have a total cost of around €2.7 billion, which can be divided up as follows: 

• €940 million for nature & biodiversity - 165 applications 
• €1.1 billion for circular economy & quality of life - 267 applications 
• €690 million for climate change mitigation and adaptation - 174 applications 

These potential LIFE projects have requested just under €1.6 billion in co-financing from the European Union.  

They will strive to protect our planet by: 

• halting and reversing biodiversity decline 
• enhancing the circular economy through new technologies and solutions 
• protecting the environment and improving people’s life quality 
• cutting greenhouse gas emissions, increasing climate change resilience, and improving awareness of climate change mitigation.  

This 2021 round of funding supports key European Green Deal elements like the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and the EU’s ambitious climate action goals. 

What happens next? 

An independent evaluation of each proposal will now take place. The European Commission will inform applicants of the outcome in April 2022. Grant agreements will be signed in the summer with the new projects starting in August 2022. 

Find out more in The future is green. The future is LIFE leaflet (europa.eu)