EU FUNDS

Natural resources

LIFE +

LIFE+ (Financial Instrument for the Environment)

LIFE+ aims to contribute to the implementation, updating, and development of Community environmental policy and legislation, and support the implementation of the 6th Environmental Action Programme. LIFE+ replaces the LIFE, Urban, NGO and Forest Focus programmes managed by DG Environment.

LIFE+ comprises three components:

LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity: focuses on the implementation of the EU directives on the conservation of habitats and of wild birds, as well as further strengthening the knowledge needed for developing, assessing, monitoring and evaluating EU nature and biodiversity policy and legislation;

LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance: covers the other 6th EAP priorities besides nature and biodiversity, as well as strategic approaches to policy development, implementation and enforcement;

LIFE+ Information and Communication: supports information dissemination and awareness raising activities, communication actions and campaigns, and organization of conferences and trainings.

Public and/or private bodies, actors and institutions may receive financing through LIFE+. Member States, and provided that supplementary appropriations are received, the following countries are eligible to receive funding through LIFE+:

(a) EFTA States which have become members of the European Environment Agency in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 933/1999 of 29 April 1999 amending Regulation (EEC) No 1210/90 on the establishment of the European Environment Agency and the European environment information and observation network

(b) Candidate Countries to the EU

(c) Western Balkan countries included in the Stabilisation and Association Process. Funding may be in the form of grant agreements or public procurement contracts. For action grants, the maximum rate of co-financing shall be 50%, whereas, the maximum co-financing rate for LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity may be up to 75%.

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