Financial Instrument for the Environment: LIFE+
Since its inception in 1992, the LIFE+ program (French: L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement, "The Financial Instrument for the Environment") has become one of the European Union's most significant funding instruments for environmental protection. As the only funding initiative dedicated exclusively to nature conservation, environmental protection, and climate action, LIFE+ plays a crucial role in shaping EU environmental policy and legislation. A significant focus of the program is the protection and management of the Natura 2000 network, Europe’s largest network of protected areas. By promoting implementation-oriented projects in designated Natura 2000 sites (SAC) and (SPA), LIFE+ ensures the preservation and enhancement of Europe’s natural heritage.
In 2022, four new sub-programs were established, emphasizing topics such as species protection, the revitalization of water bodies, and innovative environmental technologies:
- Nature and Biodiversity
- Circular Economy and Quality of Life
- Climate Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change
- Energy Transition
Since 1992, over 5,500 projects have been initiated across Europe. The LIFE+ program received a total budget of €3.456 billion for the period from 2014 to 2020. For the current phase, covering 2021 to 2027, approximately €5.4 billion is available to support the environmental program. Both public and private institutions from EU Member States can submit project proposals to the European Commission once a year.
On May 21, 2022, the LIFE+ program celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of significant contributions to environmental sustainability across Europe.
Sources
Bavarian State Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection (2022). LIFE-NATURE PROJECTS. https://www.stmuv.bayern.de/themen/naturschutz/naturschutzfoerderung/life/index.htm. Accessed 25.08.2022.
Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) (2004). Funding Handbook for Nature Conservation Measures. Published by: Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU).
Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft (2022): LIFE-Natur. https://info.bml.gv.at/themen/wasser/wasser-eu-international/eu-foerderprogramme/life-natur.html. Abgerufen am 24.08.2022
Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry, Regions and Water Management (2022). LIFE-Nature. https://www.bmuv.de/themen/europa/life?mdrv=www.bmuv.de&cHash=feb0f3eebc0b3022cc096450805477f2. Accessed 07.09.2022.
uropean Commission (2021). LIFE Program: EU Allocates More Than €290 Million for Nature, Environment, and Climate Protection Projects. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/de/ip_21_6178. Accessed 25.08.2022.