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Funding opportunity: LIFE Calls open on 2 April 2020

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 LIFE calls for proposals for environment and climate action open today, on the 2nd April 2020. 

LIFE Programme
The LIFE programme is the EU's financial instrument for the environment and climate action. The programme's main objective is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value.
The programme is managed by the European Commission through its Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV), the Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) and the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME).
Any entity registered in the EU can make a proposal for LIFE projects: private or state-owned companies, government, NGOs, higher education institutes and community based organisations. Projects can be run by individual organisation or with project partners.
Organisations based outside the EU can be involved in projects as associated beneficiaries by undertaking actions that are necessary for achieving the environmental or climate goals of the EU.
Co-financing percentage varies, depending on project type. Usually projects receive a co-funding of up to 60% with an exception of nature and biodiversity projects for priority habitats or species (up to 75 %) and capacity-building projects (up to 100 %).

2014-2020
The current LIFE programme has the following objectives: resource-efficiency, low carbon and climate resilient economy, improving environment, protecting biodiversity loss, effective EU environmental and climate policy and legislation, stronger environmental and climate governance at all levels and the implementation of the 7th environmental action plan. The current programme provides action grants to projects and operating grants to non-governmental organisations.

The budget for the period 2014-2020 is set at €3.4 billion in current prices, 75% of which is allocated to the sub-programme for environment and 25% - to the sub-programme for climate action.

2021-2027
The budget for the period between 2021 and 2027 will be increased to €5.45 billion. The programme during this period will contain two main portfolios, Environment and Climate Action. The funding will focus on protecting the environment and mitigating climate change. Moreover, the new sub-programme Clean Energy Transition is expected to support capacity building and diffusion of knowledge, skills, innovative techniques, methods and solutions in order to improve energy efficiency and increase the uptake of renewable energy mix in the EU.

Calls for proposals
Every year a call for LIFE project proposals is launched around April. This year, the calls are open from 2 April 2020. The first deadline for the two-stage applications is in mid-July 2020, while the deadline for the single-stage applications is 6 October 2020. More information on the calls can be found here.

Submitting a LIFE application is a challenging process and early planning is recommended. At Schuman Associates we have this expertise. We can help you in all steps of the application process - from identifying the right opportunity and connecting you with suitable partners to writing, assessing and submitting your proposal.

Get in touch to find out more about the opportunities from the 2020 calls and the future 2021-2027 LIFE programme.

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