The EU’s flagship LIFE Programme has awarded more than €358 million to 132 new climate, nature, circular economy and clean energy projects across Europe. The EU money represents 67% of the total €536 million cost, with the rest coming from national, regional and local governments, public-private partnerships, businesses and civil society organisations.
The 132 projects announced today were selected from 895 applications submitted under the LIFE 2024 call for proposals. Together, they will help halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, achieve a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, and ensure sustainable, long-term economic growth.
€225 million (of which the EU contributes €147 million) goes to 34 nature and biodiversity projects covering 14 EU Member States and Iceland; €133 million (€76 million EU contribution) to 31 projects to support circular economy and quality of life across 10 Member States; €96 million (€58 million EU contribution) to 19 climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation projects in 11 Member States; and 48 clean energy transition projects share €82 million (€77 million EU contribution) to be implemented in 14 EU Member States and Ukraine.
Successful applicants range from a toad protection scheme in Belgium and a project to recycle ski gear in Italy, to on-the-road electric car charging in Spain and a new renewable energy academy in France. While LIFE projects often focus on one country or region, many projects announced today span multiple EU Member States – and beyond. In addition to EU Member States, funding also goes to projects in Iceland and Ukraine. Remote island communities and ecosystems across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans will also benefit.
Click here for the press release and here for the full list of new projects.