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 specific objectives of the sub-programme ‘Nature and Biodiversity’ are the following:

• to develop, demonstrate, promote and stimulate scale up of innovative techniques, methods and approaches (including nature-based solutions and ecosystem approach) for reaching the objectives of the EU legislation and policy on nature and biodiversity, and to contribute to the knowledge base and to the application of best practices, including through the support of the Natura 2000
• to support the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of EU legislation and policy on nature and biodiversity, including by improving governance at all levels, in particular through enhancing capacities of public and private actors and the involvement of civil society, also taking into due consideration the possible contributions provided by citizen science
• to catalyse the large-scale deployment of successful solutions/approaches for implementing EU legislation and policy on nature and biodiversity, by replicating results, integrating related objectives into other policies and into public and private sector practices, mobilising investment and improving access to finance.

The costs will be reimbursed at the funding rate fixed in the Grant Agreement (maximum 60%). You can apply for a higher project funding rate if your project is:

1. a ‘project targeting exclusively priority habitats/species’ (75%), i.e. targets exclusively:
   • a priority habitat or species for the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43, as listed in the relevant annexes of this Directive
   • a bird species considered as “priority for funding” by the Committee for Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress set up pursuant to Article 16 of the EU Birds Directive 2009/14719 (https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/wildbirds/life_ priority/index_en.htm)
   • a habitat type or species listed in the annexes of the Habitats Directive 92/43, the conservation status of which has been assessed as unfavorable-bad and with a declining trend (U2-) in the most recent available EU- and national-level biogeographical region assessments
   • a habitat type or species (other than birds) the EU-level threat status of which has been assessed as “endangered” or worse in the most upto-date published version of a European species red list or habitats red list, including in territories not covered by these lists
   • any other habitat or species in territories not covered by the European species or habitats red lists, the threat status of which has been assessed as “endangered” or worse in the most up-to date published version of global IUCN red lists of species or habitats.

2. a ‘project targeting priority and non-priority habitats/species’ (67%), i.e.: targets both, but with a clear focus on priority species or habitats and in a way that most of its activities are designed to explicitly target the priority species or habitats in a direct way, bringing them concrete direct benefits.

• Environment and Climate Change

• Associations
• Central Government
• Chambers
• Consumer Organisations
• Educational Institutions
• Employers
• Farmers Unions
• Farmers, Agriculturalists
• Financial Institutions
• Fishermen, Aquaculturists, Owners of Vessels
• International Organisations
• Large Enterprises
• Local Authorities
• National Contact Points - NCPs
• NGOs
• Non Profit Organisations
• Producer Associations
• Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
• Services Providers
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• State-owned Enterprises

Department of Environment (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment)

Your National Contact Point can help you with:

• Support during proposal submission
• Counseling during your project’s lifetime
• One-to-ne guidance and consultation
• Workshops and seminars
• Networking
• Partner search

To find out more about the LIFE Programme and the free services your National Contact Point offers, visit www.lifecyclamen.com.cy.

Contact Person:
Marilena Papastavrou, Environment Officer
Contact Phone: +357 22 408 926
Contact Email: mpapastavrou@environment.moa.gov.cy

https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en

• Website