‘Life’ funding scheme to be split into two

EU’s environmental funding scheme to be changed.

The EU’s environmental funding scheme Life is to be split into two separate sub-programmes. 

Under a proposal expected from the European Commission on Monday (12 December), three-quarters of the €3.6 billion allotted for the 2014-20 multi-annual financial framework will be focused on the environment, and a quarter will be dedicated to climate change. The territorial scope of the programme would also be enlarged, with possibilities for funding projects outside the EU.

This new scheme will replace the current Life+ programme, with its focus on member states with low populations or large areas under the Natura2000 network. The Commission has accepted that Life+ has failed to meet its objective of encouraging applications from smaller member states.

However, the new scheme will continue to offer up to 70% co-financing for operating grants for environmental NGOs. The main difference will be “integrated projects” that promote the integration of environment and climate objectives in other policies and in other geographic areas.

Change of structure

The Commission claims the new arrangements will have greater strategic impact and a simpler structure. Priority areas will be defined for each sub-programme, with resource efficiency, biodiversity and environmental governance central to the environment segment of the new programme. Climate action will concentrate on mitigation, adaptation and climate governance.

The maximum co-financing rate would be 70% of eligible costs, but funding for integrated projects could be up to 80%. Demanding targets will be set on providing for replication and transfer of technologies and approaches developed under the new programme.

Member states and the European Parliament are likely to come into conflict as they discuss the proposals. Member states are keen to reduce this area of spending: they already cut €11.6 million from the Commission’s proposal for Life+ payments in the 2012 budget.

But the Parliament’s environment committee expressed concern in September over the cuts and called for “continued support on a commensurate level”.