The LIFE programme, started in 1992, is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and for climate action. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value

The European Commission (DG Environment and DG Climate Action) manages the LIFE programme. Studiogiuliano in these years has successfully provided assistance and counselling in the preparation, submission, accounting and reporting for many Life projects. Enterprises, public bodies, NGOs, stakeholders, from EU and some EU candidate countries participate in this programme.

The greater areas, among others, in which Life acts are Environment and Resource Efficiency; Nature and Biodiversity, Environment and Resource Efficiency The project topics corresponding to this priority area shall pursue the specific objective ‘to develop, test and demonstrate policy or management approaches, best practices and solutions, including development and demonstration of innovative technologies, to environmental challenges, suitable for being replicated, transferred or mainstreamed, including with respect to the link between the environment and health…’.

All projects under this priority area shall therefore be either pilot or demonstrative projects. With regard to demonstrative projects under this priority area…shall be given to projects that put into practice, test, evaluate and disseminate actions, methodologies or approaches that are new or unknown Union wide. For instance, Life programme projects should aim to optimise production processes and prevent, recover and reuse waste so as to achieve: Sustainable use of resources; Reduction of energetic consumption Reduction and/or substitution of chemical substances, Reduction of environmental impacts Nature and Biodiversity.

The project topics corresponding to this priority area shall pursue in particular the specific objective ‘to contribute to the development and implementation of Union policy and legislation in the area of nature and biodiversity, including the Union Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, and Council Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, in particular by applying, developing, testing and demonstrating approaches, best practices and solutions’.

Projects in this priority area therefore can implement existing approaches, best practices and solutions or develop, test and demonstrate new approaches, best practices and solutions. With regard to projects falling within the thematic priority biodiversity, however, priority will generally be given to pilot and demonstrative projects.

Activities aimed at improving the conservation status of habitats and species, including marine habitats and species, and bird species, of Union interest; Activities in support of the Natura 2000 network bio-geographical seminars;

Integrated approaches for the implementation of prioritised action frameworks.

Maximum co-financing rates for the projects Up to 60 % of eligible costs for all projects Up to 75 % of eligible costs for projects funded under the priority area Nature and Biodiversity in the sub- programme for Environment that concern priority habitats or species for the implementation of Directive 92/43/EEC or the species of birds considered as a priority. Eligible costs are all costs regarding the implementation of the project including staff costs.