Life +

With a budget of €2.143 billion (for the period 2007-2013), 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.

LIFE+ comprises three components:

LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity

Overall objective:
• Protect, conserve, restore, monitor and facilitate the functioning of natural systems, natural habitats, wild flora and fauna, with the aim of halting the loss of biodiversity, within the EU by 2010

Priority areas of action:
• Contributing to implementing Community policy and legislation on nature and biodiversity, in particular of Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC, and promote its integration with other policy areas;
• Supporting the further development and implementation of the Natura 2000 network, including coastal and marine habitats and species;
• Supporting the design and implementation of policy approaches and instruments for monitoring and assessing nature and biodiversity and the factors, pressures and responses that impact on it, in particular in relation to achieving the target of halting biodiversity loss within the Community by 2010;
• Improving the knowledge of the impact of genetically modified organisms on ecosystems and biodiversity: risk assessment methodologies.

Opportunities for SMEs:
• Creation of cluster coordination bodies for EMAS registration;
• Regional compliance assistance programmes to offer SMEs free or facilitated environmental audit and guidance

 

LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance

Overall objective:
• Aims specifically at contributing to the implementation, updating and development of Community environmental policy and legislation, including the integration of the environment into other policies, thereby contributing to sustainable development. 
Priority areas of action:
• Climate change, water, air, soil, urban environment, noise, chemicals, environment and health, waste and natural resources, forests, innovation, strategic approaches, governance, NGOs.
Opportunities for SMEs:
• Priority area "Strategic Approaches": projects aimed at improving the SMEs' environmental performance
• Priority area "Innovation": contribution the development of innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments to assist the implementation of the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP)
• Priority area "Governance": increase of awareness on environmental issues and participation in environmental decision-making

 

LIFE+ Information & Communication

Overall objective:
• Ensure regular and effective information flow to provide the basis for policy decisions on the environment, and to provide accessible information to citizens on the state and trends of the environment

Priority areas of action: 
• Information dissemination, eco-labelling, awareness raising and development of specific skills on environmental issues, including on forest fire prevention

Opportunities for SMEs:
• Sector-specific information initiatives
• SME-oriented environmental training of business support networks

The DG Environment is planning to launch its 2009 call for proposals for LIFE+ projects on May 15 2009. In principle, a maximum of € 250 million will be available for the 2009 call. Applicants will have to send their proposals by the 15th of September 2009.