Further to the launch of LIFE+ 2009 Call on May 2009, the European Commission has approved funding for 210 new projects. These projects, which represent a total investment 515 M€ of which the EU will provide 249.8 M€, will cover actions in the three fields targeted by the Call.

The Commission received more than 600 applications from public or private bodies from the 27 EU Member States during the Call for Proposals under Financial Instrument for Enviroment 2009 - LIFE+ 2009. From the total amount of applications, 210 projects were selected for co-funding through one of the three components of the Call.

LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity projects

LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity projects improve the conservation status of endangered species and habitats. Of the 194 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding 84 projects from partnerships of conservation bodies, government authorities and other parties.

Situated in 24 Member States, they represent a total investment of €224 million, of which the EU will provide some €124 million. The majority (74) are Nature projects, contributing to the implementation of the Birds and/or Habitats directives and the Natura 2000 network. The other 10 are Biodiversity projects, a LIFE+ project category for pilot schemes that tackle wider biodiversity issues. The Commission is pleased to note the steady increase in the number of Biodiversity projects funded since 2007 (four (4) projects) when the category was introduced.

LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance

LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance projects are pilot projects that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments. Of the 308 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding 116 projects from a wide range of public and private sector organisations.

The winning projects, situated in 17 Member States, represent a total investment of €278 million of which the EU will provide some €120 million. Projects targeting innovation account for the largest share of EU funding (some €20.9 million for 17 projects). The most targeted area in terms of number of projects is waste and natural resources (20 projects supported by €19.3 million), followed by water and innovation (17 projects each). The remaining 63 projects cover various topics including air, chemicals, climate change, energy, environment and health, forests, noise, soil protection, strategic approaches, and the urban environment.

LIFE+ Information and Communication

LIFE+ Information and Communication projects disseminate information and raise the profile of environmental issues, and provide training and awareness-raising for the prevention of forest fires. Of the 113 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding 10 projects from a range of public and private sector nature and/or environment organisations, tackling topics such as biodiversity, climate change, waste and water.

The projects are situated in seven (7) Member States and represent a total investment of €12.9 million of which the EU will provide some €6.3 million.

The LIFE+ Programme (2007-2013). Financial Instrument for the Environment

LIFE+ is the European financial instrument for the environment and has a total budget of €2.143 billion for the period 2007-2013. The Programmes covers three main actions lines involving Nature and Biodiversity, Environment Policy and Governance and Information and Communication.

Under this framework, Commission launches one call for LIFE+ project proposals per year. Last Call for Proposals under Financial Instrument for Enviroment 2010 – LIFE+ 2010, was launched on 4 May 2010 and its deadline for submitting proposals is 1 September 2010.