The LIFE Programme

The LIFE Programme is the EU's funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The general objective of the LIFE Programme shall be to contribute to the shift towards a sustainable, circular, energy-efficient, renewable energy-based, climate-neutral and - resilient economy, in order to protect, restore and improve the quality of the environment, including the air, water and soil, and to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and to tackle the degradation of ecosystems, including by supporting the implementation and management of the Natura 2000 network, thereby contributing to sustainable development. The LIFE Programme shall also support the implementation of general action programmes adopted in accordance with Article 192(3) TFEU.

The LIFE Programme shall have the following specific objectives:

(a) to develop, demonstrate and promote innovative techniques, methods and approaches for reaching the objectives of Union legislation and policy on the environment, including nature and biodiversity, and on climate action, including the transition to renewable energy and increased energy efficiency, and to contribute to the knowledge base and to the application of best practice, in particular in relation to nature and biodiversity, including through the support of the Natura 2000 network;

(b) to support the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of relevant Union legislation and policy on the environment, including nature and biodiversity, and on climate action and the transition to renewable energy or increased energy efficiency, including by improving governance at all levels, in particular by enhancing the capacities of public and private actors and the involvement of civil society;

(c) to act as a catalyst for the large-scale deployment of successful technical and policy-related solutions for implementing relevant Union legislation and policy on the environment, including nature and biodiversity, and on climate action and the transition to renewable energy or increased energy efficiency, by replicating results, by integrating related objectives into other policies and into public and private sector practices, by mobilising investment and by improving access to finance.

The financial envelope for the implementation of the LIFE Programme for the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027 shall be EUR 5 432 000 000 in current prices. The indicative distribution of the amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall be:

(a) EUR 3 488 000 000 for the field 'Environment', of which
(i) EUR 2 143 000 000 for the subprogramme 'Nature and Biodiversity', and
(ii) EUR 1 345 000 000 for the subprogramme 'Circular Economy and Quality of Life';

(b) EUR 1 944 000 000 for the field 'Climate Action', of which
(i) EUR 947 000 000 for the subprogramme 'Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation', and
(ii) EUR 997 000 000 for the subprogramme 'Clean Energy Transition'.

Grants may finance the following types of action: (a) strategic nature projects under the subprogramme referred to in point (1)(a) of Article 4; (b) strategic integrated projects under the subprogrammes referred to in points (1)(b), (2)(a) and 2(b) of Article 4; (c) technical assistance projects; (d) standard action projects; (e) other actions needed for the purpose of achieving the general objective set out in Article 3(1), including coordination and support actions aimed at capacity building, at dissemination of information and of knowledge, and at awareness-raising to support the transition to renewable energy and increased energy efficiency.