A new joint briefing by BirdLife Europe, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), CAN Europe, Transport & Environment, and WWF warns that LIFE — the only EU programme fully dedicated to the environment and climate — would no longer exist as a standalone fund. Instead, its activities would be split and absorbed into two large new mega-funds: the European Competitiveness Fund and the EU Facility.
- The European Competitiveness Fund will mainly focus on industry and economic growth. Some LIFE projects would be placed here, mixed with other initiatives that have very different aims.
- The EU Facility would take on other LIFE activities, managed through national and regional plans. This fund is designed to tackle cross-border issues and provide flexible money in times of crisis.
In both cases, LIFE would lose its dedicated budget line. This raises serious concerns that its focus on nature and climate could be diluted, reducing support for targeted projects and making it harder for the EU to meet important commitments such as the Nature Restoration Law, the Birds and Habitats Directives, and the Water Framework Directive.
Our briefing calls for measures to protect LIFE’s role and effectiveness, including:
- A dedicated budget for LIFE projects within the EU Facility, ensuring stable and predictable funding.
- Long-term planning through multi-year programmes under both the EU Facility and the European Competitiveness Fund, so LIFE projects can continue to deliver lasting results.
Without these safeguards, there is a real danger that LIFE’s successes of the past 30 years could be undone, leaving the EU unable to tackle urgent environmental and climate challenges.
