The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value. After 22 years, €3.4 billion and 4.170 projects, the LIFE Programme continues to finance actions for the environment and climate action.
The proposed projects under the topic LIFE 2021-PREP-NATURA shall address the following specific needs and Policy Priorities identified by the Member States in the sub-programme Nature and Biodiversity.
The new EU Forest Strategy (COM(2021)572) calls for complementing the ongoing research work on forest ecosystem services under Horizon projects by means of a LIFE preparatory project with stakeholders on how payment for ecosystem services can be incorporated in EU funding programmes and include lessons learned from existing national payment schemes for ecosystem services. Although there is a common understanding that PES schemes are crucial for diversifying income to forest owners and rural communities, while supporting biodiversity and climate mitigation, benefits from the provision of ecosystem services are rarely or never rewarded. Their role in EU Funding schemes should therefore be strengthened.
The project should aim to collect national experiences as well as results of relevant EU-funded projects on PES schemes and analyse their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore there will be an analysis of the current possibilities for PES schemes in all relevant EU programmes and in the state aid framework (guidelines). The project will, based on this analysis, propose a set of guidance/recommendations on how PES schemes can be promoted in the EU funding programmes for the Multiannual Financial Framework post 2027.
90%
In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
Department of Environment
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
www.lifecyclamen.com.cy
Contact Persons
Marilena Papastavrou
Environment Officer, National Contact Point for Environment
Contact Phone: +357 22 408 926
Email: mpapastavrou@environment.moa.gov.cy
Chrystalla Papastavrou
Environment Officer, National Contact Point for Climate
Contact Phone: +357 22 408 962
Email: cpapastavrou@environment.moa.gov.cy
(Publish Date: 16/12/2021-for internal use only)