LIFE+ will NOT finance projects that fall under other funding instruments. These include the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme, the European Fisheries Fund and the Seventh Framework Programme. Please check these routes first.

LIFE+ is designed to complement other EU funding programmes which target investment in the environment. It will not finance projects that could be funded elsewhere, therefore, you must check other funding routes before pursuing LIFE+ funding. Other programmes with an environmental element include:

Structural Funds are intended to be used to help sponsor projects which will directly address locally identified needs (e.g. to help train people with new skills, or help set-up new businesses), these projects can link in with environmental topics.

INTERREG IVC is an EC Initiative set up to promote interregional co-operation. It has a clear focus on innovation, the knowledge economy, environmental and risk management. Different types of interregional and network projects will be funded. It is an instrument to link regions together and to help member states and regions implement actions aiming at economic modernisation. Finally it is an important instrument for implementing the EU initiative for Regions for Economic Change (RFEC).

The Seventh Framework Programme supports specific environmental projects predominately in the Cooperation area, such as theme 2 – Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and Biotechnology and theme 6 – Environment (including climate change).

The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) supports environmental innovation and aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are its main target, and the programme supports all types of innovation activities (such as eco-innovation). It will provide better access to finance and deliver business support services in the regions.

The EC have produced a practical guide to help potential beneficiaries of their programmes find their way through their three funding instruments (cohesion policy which is funded through the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund; the Research Framework Programme and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme) and identify the most appropriate funding scheme for them. It provides a concise description of the three funding sources, explains how they can, in practice, be combined and provides policy makers with advice on setting up mechanisms at the national and regional levels to foster co-ordinated access to them. To access the guide, please click here.

Eco-Innovation is about changing consumption and production patterns and developing technologies, products and services to reduce our impact on the environment. Business and innovation come together to create sustainable solutions that make better use of precious resources and reduce the negative side-effects of our economy on the environment. The EC is particularly keen to accept proposals from SMEs, however any legal entity is eligible. EC funding will cover 40 to 60% of eligible costs.