1. LIFE and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive
Michael Oliver
(European Commission, DG Environment, Unit D1 – Water and Environmental Programmes)

2. Objective
Link the work of the WFD CIS Pilot River Basins to the LIFE financial instrument –
Innovative project outputs at the right time,
directly relevant for policy development,
robust outputs useful for practitioners.

3. LIFE – Timing
Calls for projects are issued in summer (June).
Proposals must arrive in autumn (November).
Evaluation and decision likely to take a year.
Applications in summer 2004, projects starting end of 2005, probably last 3yrs.
So probably WFD Management Plans, Programme of Measures (both 2009) or Water Pricing (2010).

4. Why this presentation now? Current Project examples CIS proposals
Summary
What is LIFE?
Who can apply?
Why this presentation now?
Current Project examples
CIS proposals
Inviting feedback
Contact details

5. LIFE – the financial instrument for the environment
Financial instrument supporting the EU’s environmental policy and legislation
Co-finances projects in three areas:
LIFE-Nature aimed at conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora
LIFE-Environment enables demonstration and development of innovative methods for environmental protection
LIFE-Third Countries concerns technical assistance activities for promoting sustainable development in third countries

6. LIFE – the financial instrument for the environment
All legal entities (individuals, companies including consultancies, local authorities, NGOs, etc.) of EU member states, some accession countries and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Baltic Sea can apply.
Need evidence that you can manage finance – we look at balance sheets and profit and loss.
Current total budget ( ) 640 million €.
For EU projects can be supported with up to 50% of their eligible costs.

7. LIFE – the financial instrument for the environment
Current total budget ( ) 640 million €.
LIFE III extension € million (including € 17.2 million for monitoring and auditing of projects after 2006)
For EU projects can be supported with up to 50% of their eligible costs.
After 2006 – a different financial instrument?

8. LIFE and the Water Framework Directive (WFD)
Approx. 38% of LIFE projects
address water management issues
43% of these include management
of river basins
Since 1992, LIFE has supported about 3000 projects – theoretically 500 projects.

9. Project example: Bothnian Bay (Finland/Sweden)
Objectives:
Assess state of the Bay and factors affecting it
Improve information exchange
Develop guidelines for integrated management and monitoring
Anticipated outcomes:
Support European strategy for Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Provide tools + examples for implementation of the WFD:
monitoring, database, quality model, information exchange, cross-border cooperation, awareness raising
[Project website: ]

10. Project example: Karjaanjoki catchment (Finland)
Objectives:
Restore good ecological status or
potential
Involve agriculture, forestry + land- use planning in evaluation of impacts and remedies
Anticipated outcomes:
Balance nutrient status of lakes inc. bio-manipulation
Demonstrate ‘hydrology-friendly’ forestry techniques
Monitoring of watercourses re-organised to correspond with requirements of WFD
[Project website: ]

11. Project example: Wise use of Floodplains (UK/IRL/F)
Objectives:
Establish methods to appraise economic, social and environmental effects of flood- plain wetland management
Determine effects of policy on use of floodplain wetlands
Gain stakeholder participation
Outcomes:
Dissemination of guidelines and results across Europe to facilitate implementation of WFD especially in the context of floodplain restoration
Assessment of strengths + weaknesses of European and national policies; recommendations produced
[Project website: ]

12. Potential CIS LIFE projects
Develop new guidelines or tools for an aspect of CIS
Demonstrate methods following new guidelines – if no-one has done this before
Evaluates their success or otherwise at a demonstration scale
Identifies limitations and improvements
Feeds back directly to policy makers via proposed changes to guidelines

13. And finally… Help us improve our service to you: Feedback welcome!
Thank you

14. Email: Michael.Oliver@cec.eu.int
Contact details
Website for LIFE: