LIFE+​ programme

As expressed in the text of the law establishing it, the general objective of the LIFE+ programme is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental policy and legislation, including the integration of environment into other policies, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

Essentially, the LIFE+ programme, entered into force in 2007 and which follows the LIFE programme launched in 1992, supports projects that contribute to the development and implementation of environmental policy and legislation, facilitating in particular the integration of environmental issues into other policies and, more generally, contributes to sustainable development.

Since it has been launched, the LIFE+ programme has involved more than 3000 projects and used 2.5 billion Euro for the protection of the environment, with particular attention to habitats and animal and plant species covered by the Directive 92/43/EEC "Habitat" and the Directive 79/409/EEC "Birds", subsequently replaced by Directive 09/147 EC.

The LIFE+ programme consists of the following three components:

  • Nature & Biodiversity: it will co-finance best practice or demonstration projects that contribute to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives, including at local and regional level, and which contribute to support the further development and implementation of the Natura 2000 network, including habitats and species coastal and marine;

  • Environmental Policy & Governance: it will co-finance innovative or pilot projects that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments that provide support for better environmental governance, by broadening stakeholder involvement, including NGOs, in the process of implementation of EU environmental policy.

  • Information & Communication: it will co-finance projects relating to communication and awareness raising campaigns on environmental, nature protection or biodiversity conservation issues, as well as projects related to forest fire prevention.