LIFE Programme

On 12 January, we held a virtual information session on the LIFE 2020 Call for Proposals for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on the European Green Deal (LIFE 2020 NGO4GD).

As part of the LIFE programme’s response to the Covid-19 crisis, a special Call for Proposals has been launched to help Europe’s NGOs. We spoke with Angelo Salsi - Head of Unit of the LIFE Programme at EASME – to find out more about this unprecedented move.

Nature is at a crossroads. We are losing plants and animals at rates far greater than at any other time in recorded history. LIFE projects are helping to counter this decline as can be seen in our new Bringing nature back through LIFE study.

A few more days left to apply for support networking events to promote working together across borders, within the framework of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process

As announced in its Communication on the European Green Deal, the Commission is developing a new (post 2021) EU forest strategy. The strategy will build on the EU’s 2030 biodiversity strategy, cover the whole forest cycle and promote the many services that forests provide. Have your say!

The European Commission will put forward a proposal for legally binding EU nature restoration targets and has has launched an online public consultation on the development. As a key element of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the European Green Deal, restoring Europe’s damaged ecosystems will help to increase biodiversity, mitigate and adapt to climate change, and prevent and reduce the impacts of natural disasters. The Commission will put forward a proposal for legally binding EU nature restoration targets.

In Europe, each person on average produces up to six tonnes of waste each year. This is more than three times the weight of a passenger car. Several LIFE projects are finding ways to turn this waste into valuable resources as can be seen below.

Invertebrates are vital for pest control, pollination, soil creation and water filtration. But these species are rapidly declining across Europe due to loss of natural habitats, agricultural intensification, pollution, invasive alien species and climate change. LIFE projects have been working hard to reverse this trend. Below is a selection.

In Europe, around 30% of all fruit and vegetables are discarded each year just because of their appearance. The team behind Portugal’s FLAW4LIFE project has successfully worked with farmers, consumers, volunteers, and students to cut this waste by 2 600 tonnes. This compares to the annual amount of unused food from around 13 000 people.

Next week, five LIFE projects will take part in the virtual EU Industry Days and have the opportunity to interact with many stakeholders as industry, policy makers, EU SMEs and find potential synergies.

LIFE BooGI-BOP aims to boost biodiversity at local level by making companies more aware of its importance. The project promotes the biodiversity-oriented design of premises to be part of green infrastructures. These elements improve the well-being of the employees and therefore, society. The project’s ambitions support the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

Meadow Birds LIFE sets out to improve vital habitats for the species in Germany’s Lower Saxony region. One of the project’s partners, the Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) Germany, is holding a virtual seminar on The Art of Communication on Nature Management Measures on 24 and 25 February.

The LIFE DeNTreat project team set out to demonstrate an innovative way of sustainably reducing the amount of nitrogen in urban wastewaters.