LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU, as well as in certain candidate and acceding countries, and neighbouring countries.

The programme is based on the principle of an annual call for proposals. It is common to 27 countries of the European Union.

The French Ministry of Environment organizes a national meeting each year, provides information to project partners, and provides, to those who require it, free methodological assistance by an engineering consultant. The objective of this assistance is to optimize the quality of technical issues and increase the chances of being selected..

Co-financing

The EU’s co-financing is typically 50 % for the 3 parts.

However, projects under "Nature" may, under certain conditions, be eligible for co-financing of up to 75 %.

Eligibility of applicants

The LIFE + program is reserved for public or private legal entities established within the European Union. Individuals are not eligible.

Types of projects funded

The ’Biodiversity-Nature " component finances the following:

• Projects to preserve and conserve habitats and species of Community interest under the guidelines "Birds and Habitats" and "Birds" within the Natura 2000 network (subcomponent Nature)

• Projects to combat biodiversity depletion (Biodiversity sub-component) including within the French DOM (the outermost regions of the EU)

LIFE Nature projects in Europe

LIFE Nature projects financed in France between 2000 and 2009