Climate Action

EU LIFE PROGRAMME: HIGHLIGHTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDING


Authors: Nina Fauser and Robyn Farrugia

As discussed in one of our previous articles, the LIFE Programme is the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action, which is managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (‘CINEA’). LIFE supports and manages many initiatives aiming to make the EU more sustainable, and has contributed approximately €6.5 billion to support projects in this regard, and further funding is still available to support different initiatives pushing environmental conservation.

€95 million is now available in funding to accelerate the Clean Energy Transition in Europe

The LIFE Programme aims at accelerating the Clean Energy Transition (‘CET’) in Europe, with €95 million available in funding, to support projects aimed at improving the environment through sustainable and clean energy investments, building the CET policy framework, accelerating the market for the CET, and involving citizens in the CET. The LIFE Clean Energy Transition Call for Proposals 2021 includes 18 topics which are open for submissions (which will remain open until the 12th January 2022), which can be viewed here.

The European City Facility

The European City Facility (‘EUCF’), an EU-funded project that supports municipalities and local authorities to accelerate investments in sustainable energy has opened its third call for applications, is now available to support investment concepts looking to boost sustainable energy within cities. With a budget of over €4 million dedicated to the third call, the EUCF will support the development of 69 investment concepts, and the deadline to submit applications under this call is the 17th December 2021. The Call is open to all municipalities/local authorities, their groupings and local public entities aggregating municipalities/local authorities from EU Member States, EEA-EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), and the United Kingdom. The EUCF finances the development of an ‘Investment Concept’ through a fixed grant of up to €60,000. Such grant can be used to fund activities leading to the development of such investment concepts, including feasibility studies and other analyses.

An overview of some of LIFE’s project highlights

Earlier this year, during the ‘EU Green Week 2021’ event, Europe’s most prestigious environmental event, a virtual ceremony was held for the ‘LIFE Awards 2021’, to recognize the most innovative, inspirational and effective LIFE projects, in three categories, namely nature, environment and climate action. LIFE FORECCAsT, a project aimed at helping forest managers in France to put climate change adaption strategies in place, was awarded the LIFE Award for Climate Action. This project involved finding solutions to protect forests at risk of dying, and the introduction of management practices to reduce the risks which severe weather conditions pose on trees. A mobile application has also been developed under LIFE FORECCAsT, which is yet to be expand across Europe.

Other LIFE projects have also contributed to Bulgaria’s Anti-Poison Action Plan focusing on combatting the illicit use of poisons in the wild, which was approved by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Environment and Water earlier this year. This Plan was developed by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Bird (‘BSPS’) and aims at addressing the problem of bird poisoning by introducing legislative amendments to criminalise the use of poison bait, establish anti-poison canine teams, and upgrade a specialist toxicological laboratory, among other initiatives. The LIFE Programme has invested over €70 million in around 50 LIFE projects which target illegal wildlife-related activities, many of which focus on preventing the poisoning of protected bird species.

Upcoming events and next steps

Between the 15th to 17th November, the LIFE Programme is holding a 3-day hybrid conference on LIFE in the New European Bauhaus. The New European Bauhaus (‘NEB’) encompasses a multidisciplinary approach to the challenge of sustainable and equitable living. The conference will showcase certain LIFE and Horizon 2020 projects which address various aspects of the transformation necessary for a carbon-neutral 2050. Should you be interested in applying for this conference, you may apply here.

The team at Ewropa can assist you by carrying out all the necessary research, identifying the correct fund and call for your project, liaising with external bodies, and implementing the application process from beginning to end. Contact us on info@ewropa.mt to secure your funding now and make sure to keep checking Ewropa’s website and social media pages for further updates!