Brussels, 01/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - €267 million is the amount of money made available by the European Commission to co-fund environmental projects in the EU, under LIFE +, the financial instrument for the environment based around the implementation of the priorities of the sixth action programme. On Tuesday 1st March, the European Commission launched its annual call for proposals for candidate projects to be submitted for co-funding in the three areas covered by LIFE +: the protection of nature and biodiversity, environmental policy and governance, and information and communication. The call for proposals will close on 15 July.
Projects funded by LIFE + must be of EU interest, making a contribution towards achieving the general objective of this programme.
LIFE + Nature and biodiversity projects aim to improve the state of conservation of species and habitats under threat, in application of directives 79/409/EEC on the protection of wild birds and 92/43/EEC, known as “habitats”, and to achieve the EU objectives of stopping the loss of biodiversity. Co-funding levels are generally 50%, but can rise to 75% for the protection of priority species.
LIFE + policy & governance projects are innovative or pilot projects contributing to developing strategies, technologies, methods and instruments in a number of areas (water, air, soil, waste, climate). Co-funding is up to 50%.
LIFE + Information and communication projects consist of organising awareness campaigns for the environment, nature protection, preservation of biodiversity and preventing forest fires. LIFE + has an envelope of €2.17 billion for the period 2007-2013.
To answer the call for proposals: http://www.ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm (A.N./transl.fl)