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European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency

LIFE - Climate action sub-programme

The LIFE programme is divided in two sub-programmes, one for environment (representing 75% of the overall financial envelope) and one for climate change (representing 25% of the envelope). 

Traditional projects

Climate change mitigation

The climate action sub-programme supports projects in the areas of renewable energies, energy efficiency, farming, land use, and peatland management.

It provides action grants for best practice, pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the implementation and development of EU policy and law, best practices and solutions. The European Commission is particularly looking for technologies and solutions that are ready to be implemented in close-to-market conditions, at industrial or commercial scale, during the project duration.

The sub-programme also promotes knowledge sharing and integrated approaches, such as for climate change mitigation strategies and action plans at local, regional or national level.

Projects receive a co-funding of up to 55%.

Climate change adaptation

The LIFE programme co-finances projects in the areas of resilience to water scarcity, droughts, forest fires or floods, adaptive technologies for economic sectors, and safeguarding natural resources.

It provides action grants for best practice, pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to increased resilience to climate change. The European Commission is particularly looking for technologies and solutions that are ready to be implemented in close-to-market conditions, at industrial or commercial scale, during the project duration.

The climate sub-programme also promotes the development and implementation of EU policy on climate change adaptation, best practices and solutions for climate change adaptation, including ecosystem-based approaches and knowledge sharing.

Projects receive a co-funding of up to 55%.

For more information on LIFE funding for climate change adaptation projects, watch now the recording of our dedicated webinar.

Climate governance and information

The programme funds projects in the areas of awareness raising, training and capacity building, law compliance and enforcement, knowledge development and stakeholder participation.

LIFE provides action grants for information, awareness and dissemination projects on climate matters. This includes public and stakeholder support for EU policy-making, supporting communication, management and dissemination of information to facilitate knowledge sharing and cooperation platforms, promoting and contributing to more effective compliance with and enforcement of EU climate law, providing training and fostering the development and dissemination of best practices and policy approaches.

Projects receive a co-funding of up to 55%.

Integrated projects

Integrated projects are strategic projects supporting EU Member States to achieve full implementation of Strategies or Action Plans required by the EU environmental and climate legislation. They are implemented at national or regional scales, involving relevant authorities and very significant budgets from several EU and national sources, lasting for 6-10 years on average.

Under the sub-programme for climate action, these large-scale projects implement plans, strategies or roadmaps primarily in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Projects receive a co-funding of up to 60%, with an average of €10 million LIFE grant per project.
For more information please read this presentation and check examples of ongoing projects in this leaflet and in our project database (choose as strand “Integrated Projects Clima”).

Preparatory projects

Preparatory projects address specific needs for the development and implementation of EU environmental policy and law. The specific topics are indicated in the annual call for proposals.

Projects receive a co-funding of up to 60%.

In 2018, there is no call for proposals for preparatory projects under the climate action sub-programme.

Technical assistance

Technical assistance projects provide action grants and financial support to help applicants prepare integrated projects.

Projects receive a co-funding of up to 60%.