LIFE Programme

The annual LIFE Awards honoured pioneering projects across Europe which restore habitats and wildlife, boost circularity and help strengthen climate resilience.

On 21 May, 2025, the LIFE Programme celebrated 33 years of supporting projects that make Europe more sustainable and healthier for both people and nature.

EUSEW 2025 wrapped up with 9000+ participants, 60+ sessions, and 34 stands—three days of high-level debates, networking and action for a clean energy transition. Learn about the highlights and read more!

LIFE projects were well represented at this year’s EUSEW. LIFE4GREENBROADBAND, LIFE TURBINES, LIFE TANDEMS, and COOLTORISE were nominated for the EUSEW Awards 2025. LIFE TANDEMS won the Local Energy Action Award for its work demonstrating how inclusive approaches can support the energy transition at the community level.

The new EU Water Resilience Strategy addresses the urgent challenge of securing water for the environment, economy, health and food. With global water demand expected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, the EU aims to ensure both the availability and quality of water. The strategy focuses on improving governance, investment, digitalisation, research and disaster preparedness to build a more resilient and competitive water future.

Around 1 200 maritime stakeholders gathered in Cork, Ireland for European Maritime Day 2025 — the EU’s flagship event for a sustainable blue economy. MPA LIFE Ireland project was among those attending the workshops, networking sessions and side events shaping the future of our seas.

In this first article in a series on European Commission funding opportunities for preparedness and disaster risk management, the focus is on the LIFE Programme calls, which were launched on 24 April.

For those working on community energy projects, the LIFE project European Energy Communities Facility is now accepting applications. The Facility offers a grant of €45 000, tailored e-learning and guidance in the applicant’s national language to support the development of strong energy communities.

LIFE is looking for Expert Evaluators to help shape Europe’s clean energy future! Professionals from industry, finance, environment, NGOs, energy communities, government, research and consultancies are invited to apply. This is a remote, flexible and short-term opportunity to make a real impact.

Horizon Europe has opened its call for proposals, with €118.4 million available to support projects from 2025-2027 contributing to the New European Bauhaus (NEB). The NEB Facility funds sustainable, inclusive and beautiful solutions to revitalise neighbourhoods and is backed by Horizon Europe and other EU funds. The deadline to apply is 12 November 2025.

Work has begun to restore a 1km stretch of the River Breamish in Northumberland, England, to its natural, meandering path. After centuries of straightening for farming, the river will reconnect with its floodplain — boosting biodiversity, water quality and flood resilience. The work is part of the LIFE Wader project which runs through to 2026. Read more via this BBC News link.

The indicators previously known as Key Project-level Indicators (KPIs) have been renamed as LIFE Project Indicators (LPIs). LPIs help measure the environmental, climate and socio-economic impacts of LIFE projects. LPIs also provide insights to CINEA on policy-relevant issues and support communication, dissemination, and outreach efforts.

Teams from 6 LIFE projects joined 170 other exhibitors at the Reuse Economy Expo in Paris to share solutions to some of Europe's trickiest recycling and waste problems.

Municipalities across Europe are looking for ways to cool their cities and manage heat waves. In Lisbon, the LIFE LUNGS project is expanding green spaces—tree by tree, meadow by meadow.

With support from the LIFE Programme’s close-to-market (C2M) initiative, the LIFE SBE4LCHCB project is proving that off-site timber construction can deliver strong performance and meet the needs of customers.

Algae can help feed us, clean our seas and even replace plastic. The LIFE REEForest–ROCPopLife project aims to develop scalable methods for restoration; create guidelines for Mediterranean marine forest recovery; raise awareness about ecosystem loss; and strengthen conservation and management knowledge. Learn more in the factsheet.

More than 20 LIFE projects came together at the Central and Eastern European Energy Efficiency Forum to share solutions for making Europe’s buildings more energy efficient. Improving energy performance cuts emissions, lowers bills and strengthens the EU’s energy independence.

LIFE SET HEAT is helping Croatia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania accelerate the decarbonisation of district heating and cooling. With heating and cooling making up half of Europe’s energy use — mostly from fossil fuels — the project focuses on using renewable and waste heat as sustainable alternatives.

The Green Transition Forum 5.0, taking place 16-20 June in Sofia, Bulgaria, is the leading platform in Central and Eastern Europe dedicated to the green economy and sustainable development.

Mark your calendars for R&I for a Competitive Green Transition, an event organised by DG Research & Innovation, taking place on 23-24 June 2025 at the Charlemagne building in Brussels. Secure your spot today!

LIFE projects take part in the sessions managed by CINEA at ECCA2025, one of Europe’s largest climate change adaptation conferences, taking place in Rimini, Italy from 16-18 June 2025.