€68 million UK LIFE+ programme launched in the East Midlands
Environmental and Nature Conservation Projects.
The launch event was organised by emda, East Midlands European Office, the East Midlands Regional Assembly and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee with support from Defra and the European Commission.
The European Union LIFE+ programme aims to provide match-funding support for environmental projects addressing nature conservation and environmental policy. The programme will provide funding for a seven year period until 2013 and will be managed directly by the European Commission.
The UK will be allocated €68 million from the overall €2.143 billion LIFE+ budget.
Registered organisations within the European Union will be encouraged to bid for a slice of the funding. They include:
- Local authorities;
- Other public bodies;
- Private commercial organisations;
- Private non-commercial organisations, including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The European Commission will organise annual calls for proposals, the first of which will be launched on 15 September with a deadline of 30 November 2007.
Speaking at the launch event, emda’s Strategy and European Programmes Director, Emma Corbett said:“The East Midlands has worked hard to ensure that European funding opportunities help to deliver regional and local actions where they count most, across both targeted geographical areas and amongst recipient groups.
“Anticipating and adapting to the challenges facing our environmental infrastructure makes good business sense, and we see the LIFE+ programme as a critical component in achieving sustainable economic growth that neither diminishes our well-being nor limits our potential growth in the future, helping contribute to making the East Midlands a flourishing region’.
Details
For more information, please visit the official EUROPA LIFE+ information pages at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm
Defra will be responsible for sending all project proposals to the Commission. Prospective applicants can send through queries by email to the following address: life.env@defra.gsi.gov.uk
What is LIFE+?
LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects throughout the EU, as well as in some candidate, acceding and neighbouring countries. Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed some 2, 750 projects, contributing approximately €1.35 billion to the protection of the environment.
The new LIFE+ programme (2007-13) has a budget of €2.143 billion to support development and impementation of community environmental policy and legislation.
last updated: 21-09-2007 17:05