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

2. Relevance of LIFE for the implementation of the WFD Project examples
Summary
What is LIFE?
Relevance of LIFE for the implementation of the WFD
Project examples
Accessing information on LIFE projects
Inviting feedback
Contact details

3. 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

4. LIFE – the financial instrument for the environment
Calls for projects are issued every year (not just water).
All legal entities (individuals, companies, local authorities, NGOs, etc.) of EU member states, some accession countries and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and Baltic Sea can apply.
Since 1992, LIFE has supported 2267 projects.
The current total budget ( ) amounts to 640 million €. For EU projects can be supported with up to 50% of their eligible costs.

5. LIFE and the Water Framework Directive (WFD)
Approx. 38% of LIFE projects address water management issues
LIFE projects have collected an array of experience and developed tools for implementing legislation on the ground (in the context of the WFD, but also other Directives: e.g. Urban Waste Water Treatment, Nitrates, etc.)
Cross-border co-operation and stakeholder participation have figured in many LIFE projects
LIFE supports the dissemination of these experiences

6. 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: ]

7. 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: ]

8. 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: ]

9. Accessing information on LIFE projects
LIFE website:
Search facility of past and ongoing projects:
database contains background information, objectives and contact details for each project
CIRCA website:
Electronic forum for water-related projects (2004):
NEW - abstracts of LIFE projects; categorised according to the themes of the Working Groups and Expert Fora elaborating the implementation strategy of the WFD; customised for different user groups

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

11. Contact details Email: Michael.Oliver@cec.eu.int Websites:
LIFE:
Project search engine:
CIRCA: