The European Commission is investing more than €103 million in seven strategic projects across Europe with funding under the LIFE programme. They will contribute to strengthening the EU’s prosperity, reinforcing economic stability, food systems and environmental ecosystems, while also improving public health and quality of life across the continent.
The selected projects are located in Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia and Spain. Supporting and accelerating the implementation of EU environmental and climate policies, the projects are focused notably on climate and water resilience, nature restoration, circular economy and sustainable land use. These are expected to mobilise additional national public and private investment.
Seven strategic projects awarded in seven EU member states
In Finland, ACWA LIFE aims to restore and protect streams, lakes, coastal waters, river basins and groundwater to secure water resources and ecosystem health. It will receive €16.5 million from the EU.
The LIFE ADAPT EST in France will strengthen climate resilience in the Grand Est region through more expertise on climate, water governance and infrastructure that can withhold extreme weather events. The EU will provide €15.6 million to this project.
In Greece, LIFE SIP GR Blue focuses on restoring marine ecosystems and reducing pollution, marine litter and underwater noise across coasts and islands, strengthening ocean health and coastal livelihoods. The EU will provide €8.9 million to the project.
In the Netherlands, CEL4LIFE will support Limburg’s transition to a circular economy. Aiming to halve raw material use in chemicals, manufacturing and construction by 2030, the project will receive €6.9 million from the EU.
In Portugal, the LIFE IP AGRILOOP will implement circular solutions in the Azores, across agroforestry, agrifood and tourism, strengthening resource efficiency in the islands. It will receive €15.8 million of EU funding.
NatAdaptSK in Slovakia includes nature-based solutions for water, agriculture, forests and biodiversity to reduce climate risks for affected communities. The EU will provide €10.1 million to the project.
In Spain, LIFE HumedalES is the largest project ever financed under the LIFE Programme. The project aims to restore around 26,200 hectares of wetlands across 107 Natura 2000 sites, improving flood protection, water security and biodiversity. It will receive €29.7 million of EU funding.
Background
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s only funding programme entirely dedicated to environment, climate and clean energy objectives. It has co-financed more than 6,500 projects in these fields since 1992 across the EU and associated countries. Funding for the seven strategic projects announced today is part of a wider €5.43 billion budget assigned to the LIFE programme under the 2021-2027 EU long-term budget (Multiannual Financial Framework). The programme is actively contributing to achieving the EU’s climate neutrality objective by 2050 under the European Climate Law. These strategic projects also support goals in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, contributing to the clean transition. The LIFE Programme is managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).
In the Commission’s proposals for the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), LIFE actions are included, highlighting their integration across various MFF components and notably under the ‘clean transition and decarbonisation’ area of the European Competitiveness Fund, as well as the ‘EU Facility’ inside the National and Regional Plans and Programmes.
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