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On 27 June, the Environment Council reached a common position on the new LIFE+ financial instrument for the environment, which will run from 2007-13, replacing a broad range of existing environmental programmes/instruments into a single simplified framework. It replaces the current LIFE programme, the Forest Focus and Urban programmes, DG Environment's funding programme for environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and a general fund for policy development and implementation. Over 2007-13, the budget for LIFE+ is expected to be €2.1 billion. 40 percent is reserved for the "nature and biodiversity" section of LIFE+.
LIFE+ will address all four priority areas (climate change, nature and biodiversity, health and quality of life, natural resources and waste) of the Sixth Environment Action Programme (2002-2012) as well as it's seven thematic strategies.
LIFE+ has three strands:
LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity
LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance
LIFE+ Information and Communication
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas welcomed the common position arguing that "LIFE+ will become a single, modern and flexible instrument for funding and programming many EU environmental activities. The programme's focus on concrete measures will contribute to improving Europe's environment. In addition, strengthening networking, communication and environmental governance will help ensure that good practice is shared throughout Europe and feeds into policy making." He added that the proportion of EU funding foreseen for nature and biodiversity is broadly unchanged from the current LIFE programme.
Further information
Website about the future of the LIFE programme at:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/news/futureoflife.htm
LIFE newsletter website:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/news/lifeflash/lifenews05_06.htm
The Sixth Environment Action Programme of the European Community 2002-2012:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/newprg/index.htm
Sources
EC Press Release IP/06/856 (.pdf) of 27 June 2006 available at: http://europa.eu/rapid
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