€200 million for new LIFE+ projects

The European Commission is to provide just over €200 million for 196 projects under the second call for the LIFE+ programme (2007-2012), the European fund for the environment.

The European Commission is to provide just over €200 million for 196 projects under the second call for the LIFE+ programme (2007-2012), the European fund for the environment.

The projects are from across the EU and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, environmental policy and information and communication. Overall they represent a total investment of €431 million, of which the EU will provide 207.5 million.

LIFE+ is the European financial instrument for the environment and has a total budget of €2.143 billion for 2007-2013.

During this time the commission will launch one call for LIFE+ project proposals each year.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "I am convinced that these projects will make a significant contribution to nature conservation and to improving the environment. They will also help raise awareness across the EU of the key environmental challenges facing us, notably climate change and the loss of biodiversity."

The selected projects are under the following categories:

LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity projects improve the conservation status of endangered species and habitats. Of the 227 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding 80 projects from partnerships of conservation bodies, government authorities and other parties. Situated in 22 Member States, they represent a total investment of €199 million, of which the EU will provide some €107 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 six are Biodiversity projects, a LIFE+ project category for pilot schemes that tackle wider biodiversity issues.

LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance projects are pilot projects that contribute to the development of innovative policy ideas, technologies, methods and instruments. Of the 288 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding 99 projects from a wide range of public and private sector organisations. The winning projects, situated in 19 Member States, represent a total investment of €211 million, of which the EU will provide some €90 million. Projects targeting waste and natural resources (28) account for the largest share of EU funding (€26 million). Climate change is the second most targeted priority area with 24 projects (some €25 million). followed by water (17 projects). The remaining 30 projects cover various topics including air, chemicals, environment and health, forests, innovation, noise, soil, strategic approaches, and the urban environment.

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 98 proposals received, the Commission selected for funding 17 projects from a range of public and private sector nature and/or environment organisations. The projects are situated in 12 Member States and represent a total investment of €21 million, of which the EU will provide some €10 million.

For more information and to find out about the individual projects selected visit www.europea.eu

Last Updated: 05/11/2009 11:38:00 By Charlotte Jacques