EU funding available for new ‪‎environment‬ projects

The European Commission today launched the first call for proposals under a new funding programme for projects dedicated to the environment and ‪‎climateaction‬.

LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU. The LIFE programme sets a budget for the next funding period 2014-2020 of € 3.4 billion.

The Commission invites legal persons (entities) registered in the European Union (EU) to present proposals for the 2014 Call for proposals for LIFE Action Grants. The call covers proposals for both LIFE sub-programmes.

For the sub-programme for Environment, this call will cover action grants "Traditional" projects,Preparatory projects, Integrated projects, Technical Assistance projects and Capacity Building projects. For the sub-programme for Climate Action, this call will cover action grants only for "Traditional" projects and Capacity Building projects (the other types will be covered from 2015 onwards).

Proposals may be submitted by legal persons (entities) registered in the EU. Applicants may fall into three types of beneficiaries: (1) public bodies, (2) private commercial organisations and (3) private non-commercial organisations (including NGOs).

Applicants must use the LIFE 2014 application packages (in English only) for the preparation of their proposals. Each application package contains full and detailed explanations with regard to eligibility, procedures, co-financing rates and all other relevant details. These can be downloaded below. For "Traditional" projects, applicants must use only the eProposal tool to create and submit proposal(s). Access is provided via this link. All other types of projects must use the application forms provided in the corresponding application package. Please note that the conditions laid down ineach document in each application package will be binding on the successful applicants, so please read them carefully.

The total budget for project action grants for this call is EUR 283 122 966. Of this, EUR 238 862 966 is foreseen for the sub-programme for Environment and EUR 44 260 000 for the sub-programme for Climate Action. At least 55% of the budgetary resources allocated to projects supported by way of action grants under the sub-programme for Environment shall be dedicated to projects supporting the conservation of nature and biodiversity.

Applicants may not be clear which EU funding programme (LIFE or other programme) or which part of LIFE is most suited to their needs. In addition to the information below, some further but limited guidance may be found in this orientation document.

Possible support by national authorities: Member States may, on a voluntary basis, provide support to applicants and therefore invite applicants to let them see their draft proposals before a certain date which will be earlier than the formal deadline (see above). Providing your draft proposal to the national authority that offers such help is not compulsory. For further details, please contact your National Contact Point.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/life2014/index.htm