The European Commission approved funding for 183 new projects under the LIFE+ programme, the European Union's environment fund. The projects cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, climate change, clean technology, environmental policy and information and communication on environmental issues. In total, they represent an investment of some €530 million, of which the EU will provide €244 million.

The Commission received 748 applications in response to its latest call for proposals within the LIFE+ programme. Of these, 183 were selected for co-funding through the programme’s three components: LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance and LIFE+ Information and Communication. Moreover, fifty-five of these projects involve partners from more than one Member State.

On the LIFE+ Information and Communication projects the main objective is disseminate information and raise the profile of environmental issues, and provide training and awareness-raising for the prevention of forest fires. The Commission selected for funding 15 projects from a range of public and private sector nature and/or environment organisations, tackling topics such as biodiversity, climate change, waste and water.

With regard to the 203 proposals received on LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity projects, the main goal is to improve the conservation status of endangered species and habitats. The Commission selected for funding 64 projects; the majority are Nature projects, contributing to the implementation of the Birds and/or Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network. The other are Biodiversity projects.

On the LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance theme, there are pilot projects selected that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments. Of the 399 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding 104 projects targeting waste and natural resources account for the lion's share of this funding. In addition, the Commission will contribute more than €16 million to 14 projects directly tackling climate change, with a total budget of €40 million. 12 projects focussing on other issues will also have an indirect impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Water is another important area of focus, with nine projects selected.

On the other hand, the European Commission opened the call for proposals 2011 within the LIFE+ programme. The call will be opened until 9 of September.