What is the LIFE programme?

Created in 1992, the LIFE programme is a EU’s funding instrument, which the general objective 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.

Since the creation of the programme, there have been four complete phases of the programme (LIFE I: 1992-1995, LIFE II: 1996-1999, LIFE III: 2000-2006 and LIFE+: 2007-2013). During this period, LIFE has co-financed some 3954 projects across the EU, contributing to approximately €3.1 billion to the protection of the environment.

In 2013, a new programme has been established for the period 2014-2020. It is organized in two sub-programmes: « Environment » and « Climate Action ». The sub-program “Environment” is divided into three components, including the “Nature and Biodiversity” component, in which the LIFE CROAA is integrated. Its specific objective is to contribute to the development and implementation of Union policy and legislation in the field of nature and biodiversity, including the Europe 2020 Strategy, the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds) and the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora).

The European Commission (DG Environment and DG Climate Action) manages the LIFE programme. The Commission has delegated the implementation of many components of the LIFE programme to the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). EASME is assisted by an external monitoring team, NEEMO wich is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects. It is the intermediary between EASME and projects coordinators.

Read more about the LIFE programme