LIFE+, the new Financial Instrument for the Environment

LIFE+ (2007-2013), the new Financial Instrument for the Environment, has entered into force with the publication of the Regulation in the Official Journal L149 of 9 June 2007.

View the LIFE+ Regulation

2008 Call for LIFE+ proposals

The 2008 call for proposals has been published in the Official Journal on 15 July 2008 and has the following calendar.

If you wish to be alerted directly by email for any news on the 2008 application package, please subscribe to LIFE News.

Calendar for the call for proposal 2008

2008 project selection	Period
Publication of the 2008 call for proposals	15 July 2008
Workshop for potential applicants organised by the Commission in each Member State	August to November 2008
Deadline for applicants to send proposals to Member States' authorities	21 November 2008
Deadline for Member States to send proposals to the Commission	05 January 2009
Eligibility, evaluation and revision	January to July 2009
Deadline for signing grant agreements	31 December 2009
Earliest possible starting date for 2008 projects	01 January 2010

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. It comprises three components:

• LIFE+ Nature & Biodiversity
• LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance
• LIFE+ Information & Communication

At least 78% of LIFE+ will be for the co-financing of project action grants, of which at least 50% will be for nature and biodiversity projects. The European Commission will use the remaining sum for operational expenses.

Only expenditure in EU27 countries is eligible at present, although the future participation of certain third countries is possible if supplementary appropriations are received (see Article 8 of the LIFE+ Regulation).

The Commission will organise the annual call for proposals and, with the help of external experts, will select, revise and monitor the projects and be responsible for making the appropriate payments. Member States will forward the project proposals to the Commission, may set national priorities and objectives (from 2008 onwards) and may prepare comments on proposals, in particular in relation to national annual priorities.