EU Environment Budget 2007 – 2013 (LIFE+)
28 March 2007, Brussels, Belgium. Political agreement has been reached on the new EU budget for the environment, LIFE+, following discussions between the European Commission, Parliament and Council. The overall budget foreseen for LIFE+ is just under €1.9 billion for the period 2007-2013. It replaces some existing environmental programmes, including the current LIFE programmes, the Forest Focus and Urban programmes and DG Environment’s funding for environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs). LIFE+ is divided into three strands:
- LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity
- LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance
- LIFE+ Information and Communication
Some main elements of the LIFE+ regulation are:
- The programme will be centrally managed by the Commission although Member States can express national priorities.
- The budget has been increased by an extra €40 million.
- 78 % of the funding is to be used for projects, 50% of which will be ring-fenced for nature and biodiversity.
- 22% will be spent by the Commission on cross-cutting measures for the environment, such as impact assessments, communication and operational grants to NGOs etc.
- 15% of the projects should be trans-national in character and promote partnerships.
- There will be an indicative allocation of the budget to be spent in each Member State based on certain criteria, such as population size and nature and biodiversity.
- The European Commission has committed to reporting on Natura 2000 financing, in time for a review of the EU Financial Perspectives 2008/2009.
This agreement on LIFE+ now needs to be agreed officially by the European Parliament in plenary and by the Council, after which it will go to translation. Once it has been published, the regulation will enter into force and money will become available.
To view the Commission’s full press release, please go to: European Commission Press Release
