🇪🇺 The EU LIFE programme, which has funded more than 6,000 green projects since 1992, is a key instrument supporting the European Union's policies on the environment, nature conservation and climate. Since 2021, the LIFE programme has invested more than €435.6 million in 25 Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) and Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs)This investment is part of a wider commitment of €5.4 billion under the LIFE programme for 2021-2027.

Strategic projects are the successor to integrated projects, which were funded between 2014 and 2020, of which there were 70 with a total investment of 759.9 million euros. SIPs and SNAPs support EU Member States in implementing their plans and strategies in the field of nature, environment and climate.

What are the goals of strategic projects?

LIFE strategic projects aim to:

• Support the implementation of a targeted plan/strategy/action plan on a large territorial scale.
• Remove administrative, financial, structural and/or other obstacles to implementation.
• Increase skills and knowledge through training.
• Improve the participation of relevant stakeholders in projects.
• Mobilise additional funding for complementary actions from national and/or other EU funding instruments and programmes.
• To support the effective integration of the objectives and priorities of the LIFE Programme into other policies, sectors and financial instruments.

SIPs focus on the implementation of environmental or climate strategies at different levels (regional, national, supranational) and contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies with the aim of achieving a zero- or low-carbon economy. They involve stakeholders from different sectors to ensure comprehensive implementation. SNAPs focus on the implementation of action programmes to mainstream nature and biodiversity policies and support the Priority Action Frameworks (PAFs) under the EU Habitats Directive.

These strategic projects are closely linked and support several key EU strategies and directives. They contribute to the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, Water Framework Directive, the law on nature restoration, air quality directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, sustainable urban mobility plan and contribute to transition to clean energyThey also link up with EU missions on land, climate change adaptation and climate-neutral and smart cities.

Difference from standard projects

Strategic projects differ from standard LIFE action projects. While standard projects can last from 1 to 5 years and require one participant, strategic projects last from 1 to 5 years. 5 to 10 years and they require at least 2 participantsKey differences include:

• Geographical scope: Strategic projects operate at regional, multi-city, multi-regional, national or transnational levels.
• Link to plan/strategy: Projects must contribute to the full implementation of such a plan or strategy in line with EU/national legislation. This is mandatory for strategic projects.
• Mobilization of additional funds: The project must mobilise at least one other relevant source of EU, national or private funding. This is mandatory for strategic projects.
• Consortium requirements: A capacity building element is mandatory for strategic projects.

Examples of successful projects

The funding announced in 2025 of €146 million (of which more than half comes from the EU contribution) supports five projects in Denmark, Estonia, Poland, Slovenia and Iceland, which focus on reducing emissions, limiting the impact of floods and fires, recycling waste, cleaning polluted rivers and improving water quality.

• IN Denmark The LIFE ACT project, with a budget of €28.4 million, brings together 27 municipalities to step up local climate action plans, reduce municipal CO₂ emissions by 75 % and climate-proof 2,900 km of coastline by 2050.
• IN Poland The LIFE Pom GOZilla.PL project, with a budget of €21.9 million, focuses on the challenges of recycling and landfilling in the Pomeranian Voivodeship. Thirty-one partners, including the regional government, municipalities, universities and NGOs, have set an ambitious target of 65 % recycling rate and reducing landfill waste to 10 % by 2035.
• IN Estonia The LIFE SIP WET-EST project, with an investment of €29.9 million, focuses on improving water quality in the Western Estonia river basin by controlling pollution, restoring ecosystems and reducing drought and flood risks.
• Slovenia The €26.5 million LIFE4ADAPT project is helping to overcome the challenges of drought, forest fires and floods. It is supporting the Climate Services Centre and the Climate Portal there to fund new ways of managing climate risks and launch educational programmes.
• On Iceland The LIFE ICEWATER project, with a budget of €39.6 million, unites government agencies, researchers and municipalities to improve water quality, promote sustainable water use and reduce pressure on vital resources.

These projects demonstrate how the LIFE programme's strategic approach helps Member States address the most pressing environmental and climate challenges in a comprehensive and coordinated way.

Interested parties can find out more about LIFE strategic projects on the LIFE website and the calls for proposals. The 2025 call for proposals will open in mid-April and CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency) will organise virtual information sessions for potential applicants in May. They can also view LIFE projects implemented in their country or watch a video about the LIFE programme.

Thanks to this significant investment and strategic focus, the LIFE programme continues to play a key role in supporting the EU's sustainability and climate resilience objectives. Spring

Glossary of key terms:

• LIFE Programme: The European Union's main financial instrument for supporting environmental and climate projects.
• Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs): A type of project under the LIFE programme aimed at implementing environmental or climate strategies at different levels and contributing to greenhouse gas reduction objectives.
• Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs): A project type within the LIFE programme aimed at implementing action programmes for mainstreaming nature and biodiversity and supporting Priority Action Frameworks (PAFs).
• Integrated Projects: The previous format of large-scale projects under the LIFE programme (2014-2020), which was replaced by Strategic Projects.
• Prioritized Action Frameworks (PAFs): Frameworks that set out priority measures for the implementation of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives at national level.
• Greenhouse gas mitigation strategies: Strategies aimed at reducing or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
• Zero carbon economy: An economy that produces no net carbon dioxide emissions.
• Low carbon economy: An economy with significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional economies.
• Stakeholders: Individuals, groups or organizations that have an interest in or are affected by the project (e.g. government, municipalities, universities, NGOs).
• Nature conservation: Protection and restoration of natural ecosystems and species.
• Water management: Sustainable planning, development, distribution and optimal use of water resources.
• Air quality: Measuring and regulating air pollution to protect human health and the environment.
• Circular economy: An economic model that focuses on minimizing waste and maximizing the reuse and recycling of materials.
• Waste management: Collection, transportation, processing, recycling or disposal of waste materials.
• Climate change mitigation: Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the extent of climate change.
• Climate change adaptation: Measures to adapt to existing or expected impacts of climate change.
• EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: A comprehensive EU plan aimed at protecting nature and reversing ecosystem degradation.
• Water Framework Directive: An EU framework directive that sets objectives for the good status of all waters in the EU.
• Nature Restoration Law: Proposed EU law aimed at restoring damaged ecosystems.
• Air Quality Directive: EU directive setting limits for air pollution.
• Marine Strategy Framework Directive: An EU framework directive aimed at achieving and maintaining good environmental status of EU marine waters.
• Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans: Plans to improve the sustainability of urban transport.
• Clean energy transition: Transition from fossil fuels to renewable and low-carbon energy sources.
• Standard Action Projects: A type of project under the LIFE programme that addresses one or more priorities of the LIFE sub-programmes for environment and climate.
• Complementary funds: Additional funds from other sources (national, private, other EU funds) mobilized to support projects.
• Capacity building: The process of increasing the abilities of individuals and organizations to perform their functions and achieve their goals.
• CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency): The European Commission's executive agency responsible for managing the LIFE programme.