EU FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT TIPS

NGOs can apply for LIFE action grants under the two sub-programmes “environment” and “climate action”. They can also apply for operating grants. The legal base for NGOs receiving operating grants is the LIFE Regulation which states that:

"Operating grants shall support certain operational and administrative costs of non-profit making entities which pursue an aim of general Union interest, are primarily active in the field of environment or climate action and are involved in the development, implementation and enforcement of Union policy and legislation." (Article 21 of the Regulation).

Brexit information for UK beneficiaries of LIFE grants

The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union and becomes a third country as of 1 February 2020. The EU and the UK have concluded the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement which provides for a transition period until 31 December 2020.

UK applicants and beneficiaries remain eligible to receive LIFE funds for the entire duration of grants under the 2014-2020 LIFE programme, including after the end of the transition period. This applies to existing grants, ongoing procedures and calls for proposals published in 2020 even if the grant is signed after 31 December 2020. 

All projects must have project partners related to UK infrastructure, e.g. infrastructure owners, operators, regulators or policy-makers. Proposals should demonstrate the project partner’s challenges related to environmental risk, how science can be applied to develop a 'solution' and the impact that the project will have on the project partner.

A webinar will be held to talk through the technical aspects of the funding call process followed by a Q&A session.

The webinar will be held on 22nd March 12pm -1pm.

Deadline for Expressions of Interest: 20th April 2016 at 4pm 

New confirmed measures

All submission deadlines are being extended by one month.

Applicants may register for a one-to-one short discussion about their project concept with one of our project advisors (a registration system will be set up once the call is published).

Private entities in the 2020 call are no longer obliged to launch ‘open’ tenders for contracts above 139 000 euros’. However, when purchasing goods and services, they will need to comply with the ‘value for money’ and ‘absence of conflict of interest’ requirements (their internal procurement rules will need to be respected).  

All projects will be allowed to financially support local initiatives that may contribute to the project objective.

Environment sub-programme

• Environment and resource efficiency traditional projects
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting concept notes: 14 July 2020 (extended)
• Nature and biodiversity traditional projects
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting concept notes: 16 July 2020 (extended)
• Environmental governance and information traditional projects
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting concept notes: 16 July 2020 (extended)
• Integrated projects under the sub-programme for environment
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting concept notes: 6 October 2020 (extended)
• Technical assistance projects under the sub-programme for environment
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting full proposals: 16 July 2020 (extended)

Climate action sub-programme

• Climate change mitigation traditional projects​​​​​
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting full proposals: 6 October 2020 (extended)
• Climate change adaptation traditional projects​
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting full proposals: 6 October 2020 (extended)
• Climate governance and information traditional projects
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting full proposals: 6 October 2020 (extended)
• Integrated projects under the sub-programme for climate action
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting concept notes: 6 October 2020 (extended)
• Technical assistance projects under the sub-programme for climate action
  • Launch of the call for proposals: 2 April 2020
  • Deadline for submitting full proposals: 16 July 2020 (extended)