Brussels, 31/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission decided to co-fund 103 new projects in the field of environmental demonstration for the period 2000-2001. The total value of all projects is estimated at EUR 180 million. LIFE will contribute up to EUR 59 million. The selected projects contribute to the follow environmental priorities: - the integration of environmental considerations into land use development and planning; promotion of sustainable management of water resources; prevention, recycling and management of waste; minimisation of the environmental impact of economic activity and integrated product policy. Among the 103 projects chosen, those relating to clean technologies, integrated environmental management, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and sustainable tourism predominate both in number and value, with 33 projects selected for a Community contribution of EUR 17.426 million.
The LIFE programme is composed of three sectors: LIFE-Nature, LIFE-Environment and LIFE-Third Countries. The breakdown of the financial resources provides for 47% of the total budget of the programme to be allocated to LIFE-Nature and LIFE-Environment respectively, 6% to LIFE-Third Countries and 5% to LIFE-Environment accompanying measures. With an overall budget of EUR 640 million, LIFE III began on 1 January 2000 and will run until 31 December 2004. The specific aim of LIFE-Environment is to contribute to the development of innovative techniques and methods, as well as to the development of Community policy in environmental matters. Co-funding by the Community may reach 30% in the case of projects generating substantial receipts, 50% in the other cases and 100% in the case of accompanying measures. As far as demonstration projects are concerned, guidelines have been established by the Commission. Their aim is to promote synergy between the demonstration activities and the principles formulated by environmental policy.
Out of 832 projects received for the period 2000-2001, the European Commission only chose 103 ranked on merit by the Commission together with 62 independent experts. Funds available amounted to EUR 79 million for the two years considered, but finally only EUR 59 million were released. The list of selected projects, which come from the public and private sectors, NGOs and the associative world, was endorsed by the LIFE management committee composed of Member State representatives. Geographically, the 103 projects are distributed as follows (the amount of the LIFE contribution being given in brackets): - Austria: 5 projects (EUR 2,429,902); - Belgium: 1 project (EUR 535,449); - Denmark: projects (EUR 1,435,533); - Germany: 13 projects (EUR 8,955,192); - Greece: 7 projects (EUR 4,768,085); - Spain: 20 projects (EUR 8,642,831); - Finland: 5 projects (EUR 2,580,664); - France: 6 projects (EUR 4,351,081); - Ireland: 2 projects (EUR 1,889,737); - Italy: 19 projects (9,629,383); - the Netherlands: 10 projects (EUR 4,032,272); - Portugal: 2 projects (EUR 814,098); - Sweden: 8 projects (EUR 7,238,955); - United Kingdom: 3 projects (EUR 1,838,247).
A detailed description of the projects is available on the LIFE website: http: //http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/life/envir/index.htm .