LIFE, the EU Environment and Climate action

The LIFE program  is the main EU's financial instrument for the environment and climate action to support EU Member States to achieve full implementation of EU Strategies or Action Plans. For the 2014-2020 funding period, LIFE has a budget of some €3.4 billion and 75% of it (2.6 billion) are for the environment sub-program. Under this sub-program, action grants on nature and biodiversity represent 55% of the budgetary resources allocated to projects. Projects receive a co-funding of up to 60%, and more in certain cases.

More on calls in 2020.

Action grants on nature and biodiversity are available for traditional best practice, pilot or demonstration projects, and for strategic integrated projects to contribute to the EU’s Directives on birds and habitats, the EU’s biodiversity strategy, and the Natura 2000 network.

More information on allocation of funds, types of action grants and operating grants at the brochure "Together for biodiversity" (2020-06-24)

EU Structural Funds

Biodiversity relevant funds and calls for proposal are available from the Structural funds programs, and in particular the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). In addition, the European Fund for Strategic Investment supports areas like infrastructure, research and innovation and financing SMEs, and is of interest for among others, nature-based solutions.