1. The new LIFE Programme 2014-2020
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The new LIFE Programme
Claire MCCAMPHILL
DG ENV

2. LIFE 2014-2020 - Overview Sub-programme for environment
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LIFE Overview
Sub-programme for environment
Environment & Resource Efficiency (ENV)
Nature & Biodiversity (NAT, BIO)
Environmental Governance & Information (GIE)
Sub-programme for climate action
Climate Change Mitigation (CMM)
Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)
Climate Change Governance & Information (GIC)
Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total
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3. LIFE 2014-2020 - Legal Framework
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LIFE Legal Framework
The LIFE Regulation (Regulation (EU) 1293/2013 of 20/12/2013)
The LIFE multiannual work programme (Commission Decision of 19/03/2014)
Indicative budget per priority area and types of funding
Selection relevant elements (project topics, procedure, criteria, indicators) for all projects and operating grants
The Action/Operating grant agreements of beneficiaries with the Contracting Authority (including Common provisions) or agreements of recipients with banks
Application and evaluation guidelines
Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total
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LIFE Budget
LIFE 2014 to 2020: total budget of €3.5 billion
For projects funded by action grants and financial instruments: €2.8 billion (81% of total)
Sub-programme for environment €2.1 billion for projects
Nature & Biodiversity including related governance and information €1.22 billion (more than 55% of sub- programme ENV minus FI)
Sub-programme for climate action €0.69 billion for projects
Operating grants to environmental and climate NGOs €63 million
Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total; Nature&Biodiversity: 55% of the 81% of sub-programme encironement minus financial instruments, i.e. minus 30 mio. (contribution to NCFF only during the first MAWP period)
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5. LIFE 2014 - Budget In 2014: total budget of € 404.6 million
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LIFE Budget
In 2014: total budget of € million
For projects funded by action grants and financial instruments: €324.6 million (81% of total)
Sub-programme for environment €245.4 million for projects
Nature & Biodiversity including related governance and information € million (55% of sub-programme ENV minus FI)
Sub-programme for climate action €79.2 million for projects
Operating grants to environmental and climate NGOs €9 million
Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total; Nature&Biodiversity: 55% of the 81% of sub-pörogramme environment minus financial instruments, i.e. minus 30 mio.
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LIFE New Tools
Tools
Project types: Integrated, technical assistance, capacity building, preparatory projects
Funding types: Innovative financial instruments => Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF – biodiversity and climate action), Private Finance for Energy Efficiency (PF44EE – climate action)
Funding rates: max. until 2017: 60% of eligible costs for all except priority species/habitats (75%) and capacity building (100% of eligible costs)
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7. Tools: Integrated projects (IPs)
For whom?
Mainly public administrations or other entities active in the field of environment and climate protection, capable of coordinating, besides the IP, complementary actions co-funded by additional private, public (preferably EU) funds.
What?
Implementing Union environmental and climate plans and strategies (LIFE MAWP for ); big scale; complementary actions with additional co-funding; involvement stakeholders
Average size?
2 to 10 beneficiaries; EU contribution: €10 mio. to €15 mio.; about 3 IPs per Member State.
Co-funding rate?
60%
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8. LIFE – "integrated projects - IPs"
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LIFE – "integrated projects - IPs"
Integrate/mainstream environmental/climate policy in other EU policies
Implementation of an EU Plan or Strategy
Water: River Basin Management Plan (RBMP)
Air: Air Quality Management Plans (AQMP)
Waste: Waste Management Plans (WMP)
Nature: Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAF)
Climate Mitigation:
Climate Adaptation:
Ensure supplementary funding sources for complementary actions, preferably EU funding
Involve all relevant stakeholders - and think BIG!
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LIFE – IPs – the concept
Plan/strategy implemented by the IP and complementary actions:
Action 1
Action 2 ….
Complementary actions/measures (co-) financed by non-LIFE funds (EU/national/private).
LIFE Integrated Project
LIFE co-financing: Beneficiaries contribution: 60% 40%
No other EU funds used!!
Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total; Nature&Biodiversity: 55% of the 81% of sub-pörogramme environment minus financial instruments, i.e. minus 30 mio.
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10. LIFE – IPs – the concept Implementation of a Plan or Strategy means:
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LIFE – IPs – the concept
Implementation of a Plan or Strategy means:
Target implementation of all elements/actions of the plan in question
In a large geographical area/ covering a significant number of cities (air, water)
Not all aspects have to be covered by the LIFE IP itself
But there have to be longterm commitments to implement the entire plan in the given geographical area / cities by all relevant actors
N.B.: IP's are there to help competent authorities do what is their legal obligation!
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11. LIFE IP- two-phase application
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LIFE IP- two-phase application
1st step: Concept note to be accompanied by
a Financial Plan to demonstrate compliance with the obligation to mobilise funds and
the plan or strategy (for the sub-programme for environment: Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAF), River Basin Management Plans (RBMP), Waste management Plans (WMP), Air Quality Management Plans) to be (partially) implemented
2nd step: The full proposal including full set of forms and a letter of intent from at least one other funding source
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12. LIFE –Water IPs should…
implement a/parts of a River Basin Management Plan (RMBP) in line with the Water Framework Directive,
draw in and target supplementary funding from EU sources (e.g. EARDF), public funding sources (e.g. flood funds), private finance (e.g. water companies, local business) and commitments to implement the whole plan in a significant part of the catchment area,
involve local stakeholders and NGOs in decision making
offer a blueprint for how to integrate EU, national and local priorities on the ground
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LIFE – IPs – RBMP
Objective: to improve water quantity, water quality, provide flood protection, protect bathing & shellfish waters improve biodiversity and deliver recreation benefits
Desired additional outcomes: contribute to quantifying and improving ecosystem services; deliver for N2000 in a whole river basin or large catchment, buid resilience to future climate change
Necessary elements: targeted infrastructure investment, land management and land use change; removal of hydromorpholgical barriers, supplementary funding and complementary actions outside the LIFE programme
Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total; Nature&Biodiversity: 55% of the 81% of sub-pörogramme environment minus financial instruments, i.e. minus 30 mio.
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14. Water IP – RBMP example:
Target whole river basin district
• Seek out synergies at the outset and plan for multiple benefits
• Plan and implement measures to restore to good status and achieve protected area objectives
• Focus on improving compliance with basic measures
• Targeted land use change to protect sensitive areas and achieve good status
• Remove hydromorphological barriers from source to sea
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15. Drinking water protected areas: Target uptake of measures that reduce pesticides and nutrients in binding agreements (e.g. arable reversion, forestry) NGO, competent authorities
Water IP - example
Continuous 5 m buffer strips on all watercourses - protecting water and offering terrestrial biodiversity benefits
Competent authority
Regular management & control:
Local public authority
Reduce pollutant loss from all agricultural land through targeted advice and inspections EU directive and WFD basic measures
Competent authorities, staeholders
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
Bathing waters (land hydrologically connected to bathing water):
Target uptake of measures that reduce likelihood of faecal pathogens entering waters
Local authorities
Remove all hydromorphological barriers
European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF)
Wetland creation/restoration
To reduce nutrients, recreate pre- existing wetlands, store flood waters
Pilot: NGO, competent authorities
Large scale: ESIF
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16. LIFE – Operating grants for NGO – Who?
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LIFE – Operating grants for NGO – Who?
Small, separate programme for 1-year operating grants (core funding) to co-finance the functioning of EU level environement and climate NGOs, i.e. non-profit making entities which
pursue an aim of general Union interest,
are primarily active in the field of environment or climate action,
are involved in the development, implementation and enforcement of Union policy and legislation.
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17. Two sub-programmes – which one should I choose?
Environment
Climate action
Clear link to the specific objectives for the three environmental priority areas
Projects falling under one of the project topics
Climate mitigation or adaptation is a by-product but not the central objective
Climate mitigation or adaptation is the main goal
Clear link to the specific objectives for the three climate action priority areas
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18. Tools: Technical Assistance Project (TAs)
For whom?
For those who would like to submit an IP, but need assistance in finalising the application
What?
Support in drafting the IP application; should be applied for a year before the intended IP
Average size?
Maximum 1% of the allocation for IP's => maximum €
Co-funding rate?
60%
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20. IP versus "traditional" (1)
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IP versus "traditional" (1)
Implementation of a Plan/Contributing to the implementation of a Plan:
The IP serves as start-up of the implementation of an EU Plan from A to Z in a given region/number of cities
The traditional project implements actions/improves the implementation of one or several aspects of a Plan
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21. What is eligible for cofunding?
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What is eligible for cofunding?
In general: All cost directly related to the project objectives
Personnel cost (if public authority 102% rule)
External assistance (limited to 35% of the budget)
Equipment (special rules on depreciation)
Overheads (limited to 7%)
Consumables/Other costs
Land purchase (only for priority species or habitats linked to Natura 2000)
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22. Approximate Dates
Call for Proposals: May – June 2014 (to be announced by 7 April)
Deadline for submission by applicants: October 2014
Earliest project start date: 1 June 2015 22 22 22

23. Much more information! http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/index.htm
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