The European Union has been at the forefront with supporting initiatives to improve the environment and hence the LIFE programme was launched in 1992. The creation of this funding instrument’s main policy objective is to encourage innovative projects among Member States and other partners which support the improvement of the environment.
The concept to co-finance projects that contribute to the implementation of Community environmental policy, has developed innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments, with a knowledge base as regards environment policy and legislation, and the monitoring of environmental projects.To date the LIFE programme have completed three phases and is nearing the closing of its current phase.
During this period, LIFE has co-financed some 3104 projects across the EU, contributing approximately €2.2 billion to the protection of the environment. The current phase of the programme, LIFE+, runs from 2007-2013 and has a budget of €2.143 billion. Proposals had to be eligible for one of the programme’s three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance, and LIFE+ Information and Communication
For further information, please visit: European Commission, Environment - LIFE Programme.