The LIFE project LIFE ARCTOS/KASTORIA entitled “Improving conditions of bear-human coexistence in Kastoria Prefecture, Greece – Transfer of best practices” (LIFE09 NAT/GR/000333) received one of three awards for Best of the Best LIFE projects 2018, in the category Nature & Biodiversity. The lifetime of the project was from October 1, 2010 to 30 September 2015. It implemented a series of actions and applyed specific measures aimed primarily at:  -Eliminate the phenomenon of road accidents involving bears in the road network of Kastoria and, of course, increase road safety for drivers –Addressing incidents of bears approaching populated areas –Dissemination of implementing measures to

Brussels, 28 May 2018 Questions & Answers Why is the Commission proposing a new Directive to tackle marine litter? More than 80% of marine litter is plastics. The European Commission is proposing new EU-wide rules that target the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on Europe’s beaches and seas, as well as lost and abandoned fishing gear. These products are the biggest part of the problem. Together they constitute 70% of all marine litter items. Due to its slow decomposition, plastic accumulates in seas, oceans and on beaches in the EU and worldwide. Plastic residues are found in marine

Today EU Member States approved a set of ambitious measures to make EU waste legislation fit for the future, as part of the EU’s wider circular economy policy. The new rules – based on Commission’s proposals part of the Circular Economy package presented in December 2015 – will help to prevent waste and, where this is not possible, significantly step up recycling of municipal and packaging waste. It will phase out landfilling and promote the use of economic instruments, such as Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. The new legislation strengthens the “waste hierarchy”, i.e. it requires Member States to take specific

Pick your favourite green city project and meet its pioneers at EU Green Week 2018. The European Commission has shortlisted 6 finalists among 62 best LIFE projects. The votes will be collected votes until 25 April to choose this years People’s Choice Award: Clean Air: A breath of fresh air PERHT: Green mobility hubs in historic towns Housing Landscapes: Making social housing climate-proof AIRUSE: Cleaner air for Southern European cities URBANCOWS: A perfect balance between urban beaches, lagoons and cows EKO-LIFE: Green up your life by eating and moving differently

The EU emissions trading system (ETS) after 2020 foresees the establishment of the Innovation Fund to accelerate the commercialisation of low-carbon technologies. The Fund will support innovation in low-carbon technologies, processes and products in industrial sectors listed in Annex I of the EU ETS Directive. The Fund should stimulate the construction and operation of projects that aim at the environmentally safe capture, use of CO2 (CCU) and its geological storage (CCS), as well as innovative renewable energy and energy storage technologies in the territory of the European Union. Technologies receiving support should not be commercially available but shall be sufficiently

Save the date! 04 May 2018, in Brussels The European Commission is organising an Information & Networking Day on the 2018 LIFE call for project proposals. The event is open to potential applicants presenting project proposals on green technology, nature protection and climate action. Participants will be invited to a morning information session on the 2018 LIFE call, covering significant changes to the programme compared to previous years. The afternoon will be dedicated to networking with fellow participants to share experience, match with potential new partners and meet representatives of the LIFE programme from the European Commission. Registration Compulsory registration for

1st European Resource Efficiency Workshop “Resource Efficiency in the Manufacturing Industry – Methods, tools and good practices” On 24 November 2017, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, in Berlin  Hosted by the VDI Centre for Resource Efficiency in the framework of the European Resource Efficiency Knowledge Centre, an initiative of the European Commission Please find the workshop agenda attached Please register for the event until 20 November 2017. This workshop will gather around 30 representatives of business support organisations, including established and prospective providers of resource efficiency advisory and consulting services from European countries and regions in the process of setting up

Villa Kazouli in Kifissia will turn into a surprise villa on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th of November 2017. Theatrical performances, educational games, paintings, handmade products workshops, exhibitions, concerts and speeches regarding prevention and recycling of waste will complement the 2 days event.On Sunday 19th of November, from 15:00 – 20:00, children and adults will have fun through interactive learning of smart ways to reduce their waste, enjoying music, beautiful handmade products from recyclable materials, social performances, etc.On Monday 20th of November, the “4th Consultation Forum on Waste Prevention and Recycling” in the framework of the LIFE RE-WEEE project shall

The Greek LIFE Task Force (GR LTF) participates in the workshop ‘European Funds – Opportunities for Small & Medium Entreprises (SMES), Entrepreneurs and Youth’, organized by the Hellenic-Spanish Chamber of Commerce. The workshop took place in the afternoon of the 28th September in the premises of the Cervantes Institute at Kolonaki, with an attendance of more than 40 participants, most of them SMEs and entrepreneurs. In the context of the workshop many European programmes and funding tools have been presented, such as Horizon’s SME Instrument, the priority sectors of H2020 programme, the LIFE programme for the Environment and Climate Action

European Commission – Press release Brussels, 28 September 2017 The European Commission has approved an investment package of €222 million from the EU budget to support Europe’s transition to more sustainable and low-carbon future under the LIFE programme for the Environment and Climate Action. The EU funding will mobilise additional investments leading to a total of €379 million going towards 139 new projects in 20 Member States. Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella said: “In its 25th year, the LIFE programme continues to invest in innovative projects with high added value for people, businesses and nature. I am delighted to

The European Commission launched the Natura 2000 Award to celebrate and promote best practices for nature conservation in Europe. Any entity involved in activities related to Natura 2000 can apply to one of the five Award categories: -Communication-Socio-Economic Benefits-Conservation-Reconciling Interests / Perceptions-Cross-border Cooperation and Networking. In addition, the high-profile “EU Citizens’ Award” goes to the application receiving the highest number of nominations through a public vote on the Award website.

Boosting the circular economy amongst SMEs in Europe The European Commission invites organisations who engage with and support SMEs (e.g. sector associations, industry associations, SME umbrella organisations or networks, chambers of commerce) in the European Union to put themselves forward if they are interested in receiving training from: KPMG, Ecofys, CSR Netherlands and CSR Netherlands regarding resource efficiency, eco-innovation and circular economy.The trainings will be focused on helping you to establish a programme to deliver support on the topic of circular economy to your members. The content of the trainings can be tailored towards your specific needs/the needs of your

 MAY 30, 2017 Following the feedback received in response to the call launched on the 7th of December 2016, the Commission has decided to publish a second call for proposals to support the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). The scope of supported activities will be environmental protection, nature conservation and restoration of

APRIL 25, 2017 On 30 May, 2017 a special Green Awards ceremony will take place in Brussels. The European Commission has selected 15 representative projects to illustrate the impact of LIFE in the past years. It’s your turn now! Vote for your favourite project per category (Environment – Nature -Climate) on Facebook until 10 May 2017.

 APRIL 7, 2017 Brussels, 7 April 2017 Today, the European Commission, together with 14 partners from national and regional authorities, universities, knowledge centres, innovators and end-users, takes concrete steps to address regulatory barriers to innovation by signing the first Innovation Deal on “Sustainable Waste Water Treatment Combining Anaerobic Membrane Technology (AnMbR) and Water Reuse”.