Deadline Date: September 22, 2026
The European Commission is requesting grant applications to support projects addressing key environmental, biodiversity, and circular economy policy priorities across the European Union.
The focus areas of this programme include environmental policy implementation, nature and biodiversity protection, circular economy development, legislative support actions, environmental permitting and digitalisation, forest conservation, marine pollution reduction, polymer waste analysis, and capacity building in environmental governance.
The programme is established under the LIFE Regulation 2021/783 and forms part of the LIFE Multi Annual Work Programme 2025–2027. It is designed to finance a limited number of strategic projects each year that respond to specific needs in the development and implementation of Union environmental and climate policies.
Each year, the European Commission identifies priority areas in consultation with Member States to address pressing policy and legislative needs. These priorities guide the selection of projects that can contribute to improving environmental governance and strengthening implementation across different sectors and regions.
The listed priorities for this programme include digitising environmental impact assessment and permitting procedures to improve efficiency and transparency in administrative processes. It also includes preserving primary and old-growth forests in critical regions of Europe through mapping and awareness-raising activities.
Further priorities focus on developing analytical methodologies to distinguish between virgin and recycled polymers at customs controls, supporting efforts to reduce marine pollution caused by exhaust gas cleaning systems installed on ships, and strengthening the capacity of authorities in Montenegro and North Macedonia to implement environmental policies.
The programme aims to deliver practical outcomes that enhance environmental protection, improve regulatory enforcement, and support the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy within the European Union and associated countries.
The funding available for this initiative is €13,500,000, with an expected project duration of 24 months.
Eligible applicants include legal entities established in EU Member States, overseas countries and territories, EEA countries, and countries associated with the LIFE Programme. The coordinating organisation must be based in an eligible country.
For more information, visit European Commission.
