The LIFE programme is the only European R&D&I funding program dedicated exclusively to financing activities with environmental and climate objectives. Since 1992, more than 900 LIFE projects have been approved in Spain and 5,500 throughout the European Union.
‘Standard action projects’ are the most common type of LIFE projects. In current OPEN LIFE CALLS, they make up about 50-75%. These are demonstration, pilot, good practice, information and/or governance projects that support EU policy in the field of environment and climate.
The LIFE program aims to favor the innovation and commercialization of solutions and products developed by Start-Ups in a risk-free incubation context that allows companies to bring their solution to market safely, and backed by adequate financial, technical and commercial means. The LIFE program welcomes proposals whose partnership combines the knowledge and experience of consolidated players in the market, together with the impulse of emerging companies or Start-Ups wishing to commercialize their solution or product.
It is very important to stress that all projects that apply must present quantified and credible key impact indicators (KPIs) to measure the expected impacts of the project in the different sub-programs and areas.
Name | Opening date | Next deadline | Deadline model | Link |
Strategic Integrated Projects – Environment | 18/04/2024 | 05/09/2024, 06/03/2025 | two-stage | |
Strategic Nature Projects | 18/04/2024 | 05/09/2024, 06/03/2025 | two-stage | |
Strategic Integrated Projects – Climate Action | 18/04/2024 | 05/09/2024, 06/03/2025 | two-stage |
Scope: Europe
Organization: European Commission
Nature of project: Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Mobility and Environment.
In addition, there are two areas of intervention:
Pilot projects: a technique or method that has not been applied or tested before, or elsewhere, that offers potential environmental or climatic advantages compared to current best practices and that can be applied on a larger scale to similar situations.
Demonstration projects: to implement, test, evaluate and disseminate actions, methodologies or approaches that are new or unknown in the specific context of the project (geographical, ecological, socioeconomic context) and that could be applied elsewhere under similar circumstances.
Best practice projects: applying appropriate, cost-effective and state-of-the-art techniques, methods and approaches, taking into account the specific context of the project.
Information, awareness and dissemination projects: support communication, information dissemination and awareness raising in the areas of the environment and climate action sub-programs.
Regarding the eligibility of applicants, it applies to all countries of the European Union including eventually associated countries such as the United Kingdom. Applicants can be public bodies, private commercial organizations and private non-profit organizations (including NGOs).
In general, the funding rate is 60% grant on eligible non-repayable costs, with the possibility of reaching up to 75% for nature and biodiversity actions.
Personnel, equipment, materials and consumables, and external collaborations.
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