LIFE+ draft application guidelines just published

The European Commission has just published draft application guidelines for the 2007 call for proposals under the LIFE+ programme. These draft guidelines have been published in order to help project applicants begin work on their project proposals, ahead of the submission deadline of the first LIFE+ call for proposals (30/11/2007). The final application guidelines will be published together with the formal call of proposals in the second half of September.

LIFE+, the new Financial Instrument for the Environment, has entered into force with the publication of the Regulation in the Official Journal L149 of 9 June 2007.

With a budget of €2.143 billion, LIFE+ is a limited but focused funding instrument providing specific support for the development and implementation of Community environmental policy and legislation, in particular the objectives of the 6th EAP (Decision 1600/2002/EC) and resulting thematic strategies. It comprises three components:

LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity
LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance
LIFE+ Information & Communication

At least 78% of LIFE+ will be for the co-financing of project action grants, of which at least 50% will be for nature and biodiversity projects. The European Commission will use the remaining sum for operational expenses.

Only expenditure in EU27 countries is eligible at present, although the future participation of certain third countries is possible if supplementary appropriations are received (see Article 8 of the LIFE+ Regulation).

The Commission will organise the annual call for proposals and, with the help of external experts, will select, revise and monitor the projects and be responsible for making the appropriate payments. Member States will forward the project proposals to the Commission, may set national priorities and objectives (from 2008 onwards) and may prepare comments on proposals, in particular in relation to national annual priorities.