LIFE Programme for Climate Action 2019 Call Now Open
The 2019 Call for the LIFE Programme – the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action – is now open.
The Sub-programme for Climate Action supports the implementation of the EU’s climate policy. Projects should be linked with the three priority areas:
Climate Change Mitigation
Support is available for projects in the areas of renewable energies, energy efficiency, farming, land use, and peatland management. It provides action grants for best practice, pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the implementation and development of EU policy and law, best practices and solutions. The European Commission is particularly looking for technologies and solutions that are ready to be implemented in close-to-market conditions, at industrial or commercial scale, during the project duration.
The sub-programme also promotes knowledge sharing and integrated approaches, such as for climate change mitigation strategies and action plans at local, regional or national level. Projects receive a co-funding of up to 55%.
Climate Change Adaptation
Co-financing is available for projects in the areas of resilience to water scarcity, droughts, forest fires or floods, adaptive technologies for economic sectors, and safeguarding natural resources. It provides action grants for best practice, pilot and demonstration projects that contribute to increased resilience to climate change. The European Commission is particularly looking for technologies and solutions that are ready to be implemented in close-to-market conditions, at industrial or commercial scale, during the project duration.
The climate sub-programme also promotes the development and implementation of EU policy on climate change adaptation, best practices and solutions for climate change adaptation, including ecosystem-based approaches and knowledge sharing. Projects receive a co-funding of up to 55%.
Climate Governance and Information
Funding for projects in the areas of awareness raising, training and capacity building, law compliance and enforcement, knowledge development and stakeholder participation. LIFE provides action grants for information, awareness and dissemination projects on climate matters. This includes public and stakeholder support for EU policy-making, supporting communication, management and dissemination of information to facilitate knowledge sharing and cooperation platforms, promoting and contributing to more effective compliance with and enforcement of EU climate law, providing training and fostering the development and dissemination of best practices and policy approaches.
Projects receive a co-funding of up to 55%.
The 2019 Call budget for Traditional Projects is as follows:
Climate Change Mitigation (Best practice, demonstration, and pilot projects) – €29.5 million
Climate Change Adaptation (Best practice, demonstration, and pilot projects) – €24 million
Climate Governance and Information (Information, awareness and dissemination projects) – €4.2 million
Integrated Projects
Integrated projects combine LIFE funding with other sources of support to maximise their impact over a large area (regional, multi-regional, national or trans-national). Under the sub-programme for climate action, these large-scale projects implement climate action plans, strategies or roadmaps required by specific EU laws, primarily in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Projects receive a co-funding of up to 60%.
Although there is no fixed minimum size for Integrated Projects, it is expected that they will be large and ambitious, with a substantial budget. It is anticipated that the LIFE programme would contribute on average €10 million to each Integrated Project, which will have a total project budget of around €17 million. The total budget for Integrated Projects under the Climate Action sub-programme is €26 million.
The 2019 Call deadlines are as follows:
Deadline for submission of Full Proposals for Traditional Projects: 12 September 2019
Deadline for submission of concept notes for Integrated Projects: 5 September 2019
The Call for Technical Assistance Projects is expected to open shortly with a deadline of 8 June 2019.
The European Commission has organised an Information & Networking Day on the 2019 Call which will take place in Brussels on 30 April 2019. The event is open to potential applicants presenting project proposals on green technology, nature protection and climate action. Registration for the event is open until 25 April 2019.
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