The specific objective of LIFE-Nature was to contribute to the implementation of Community nature protection policy: the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) and the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) . In particular, LIFE-Nature supported the establishment of the Natura 2000 network for the in situ management and conservation of Europe's most remarkable fauna and flora species and habitats.

Nature conservation projects that contribute to maintaining or restoring natural habitats or species populations to a favourable conservation status within the meaning of the Habitats Directive were eligible for LIFE-Nature. Projects had to cover Special Protection Areas or Sites of Community Importance and the species listed in these Directives.

The European Union allocated approximately €840 million for some 970 LIFE-Nature projects, with a total budget of €1.5 billion for the period 1992-2006. Community co-financing covered up to 50% of the costs, with the exception of projects concerning priority natural habitats or priority species defined in the Habitats Directive the Commission, which were received financing of up to 75% of the eligible costs.

61 LIFE-Nature projects were selected for funding following the last call for proposals under LIFE III. For more information please read the latest press release on LIFE-Nature.

LIFE-Nature "Co-op" and "Starter" measures

LIFE Regulation (EC) No 1655/2000 financed special types of measures called ‘Starter’ and ‘Co-op’.

‘Starter’ measures were intended to help with the preparation of LIFE-Nature projects involving partners in more than one Member State or accession country associated with LIFE.

‘Co-op’ measures were aimed exclusively at supporting the exchange of experience among LIFE-Nature projects. They involved at least three ongoing or past LIFE-Nature projects targeting similar nature conservation subjects (e.g. the same species or habitat type or groups thereof) or similar nature conservation themes and problems (communication questions, management planning, specific solutions with others who share nature areas, such as farmers, foresters, fishers etc.).

These measures were implemented by way of calls for proposals which were published in the Official Journal. Two calls were published:

• First call "Starter" and "Co-op" (Official Journal C102, 27 April 2002)
  As a result of this call, 16 small-scale projects (12 "Starter", 4 "Co-op") were selected for funding by the European Commission.
• Second call ("Co-op" only) (Official Journal C119, 21 May 2003)
  Six "Co-op" projects were selected for funding.

For further information on the projects selected for funding, consult the LIFE projects database.