The objective of LIFE-Third Countries was to contribute to the establishment of capacities and administrative structures needed in the environmental sector and in the development of environmental policy and action programmes in third countries bordering the Mediterranean and the Baltic Seas.

As of 2006, the countries eligible to apply for LIFE-TCY funding were: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the West Bank and Gaza, and the Baltic shoreline of Russia (Kaliningrad and the St. Petersberg region).

Technical assistance projects were eligible for LIFE-Third Countries if they:

• were of interest to the Community, notably through their contribution to implementing regional and international guidelines and agreements;
• promoted sustainable development at international, national or regional levels
• provided solutions to major environmental problems in the region and the relevant sector

Priority was given to projects which promote cooperation at the transfrontier, transnational or regional level.

The European Union allocated over €38 million to LIFE-Third Countries for the period 2000-2004 and another €40.3 million from 2005-2006. The rate of Community co-financing could be up to 70% of the maximum cost of technical assistance projects.

16 LIFE-Third Country 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-Third Countries.