The new LIFE Programme 2014-2020 15/04/2019 The new LIFE Programme 2014-2020 Claire MCCAMPHILL DG ENV

LIFE 2014-2020 - Overview Sub-programme for environment 15/04/2019 LIFE 2014-2020 - Overview Sub-programme for environment Environment & Resource Efficiency (ENV) Nature & Biodiversity (NAT, BIO) Environmental Governance & Information (GIE) Sub-programme for climate action Climate Change Mitigation (CMM) Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) Climate Change Governance & Information (GIC) Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total 15/04/2019

LIFE 2014-2020 - Legal Framework 15/04/2019 LIFE 2014-2020 - Legal Framework The LIFE Regulation (Regulation (EU) 1293/2013 of 20/12/2013) The LIFE multiannual work programme 2014-2017 (Commission Decision of 19/03/2014) Indicative budget per priority area and types of funding Selection relevant elements (project topics, procedure, criteria, indicators) for all projects and operating grants The Action/Operating grant agreements of beneficiaries with the Contracting Authority (including Common provisions) or agreements of recipients with banks Application and evaluation guidelines Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total 15/04/2019

15/04/2019 LIFE 2014-2020 - Budget LIFE 2014 to 2020: total budget of €3.5 billion For projects funded by action grants and financial instruments: €2.8 billion (81% of total) Sub-programme for environment €2.1 billion for projects Nature & Biodiversity including related governance and information €1.22 billion (more than 55% of sub- programme ENV minus FI) Sub-programme for climate action €0.69 billion for projects Operating grants to environmental and climate NGOs €63 million Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total; Nature&Biodiversity: 55% of the 81% of sub-programme encironement minus financial instruments, i.e. minus 30 mio. (contribution to NCFF only during the first MAWP period) 15/04/2019

LIFE 2014 - Budget In 2014: total budget of € 404.6 million 15/04/2019 LIFE 2014 - Budget In 2014: total budget of € 404.6 million For projects funded by action grants and financial instruments: €324.6 million (81% of total) Sub-programme for environment €245.4 million for projects Nature & Biodiversity including related governance and information € 132.8 million (55% of sub-programme ENV minus FI) Sub-programme for climate action €79.2 million for projects Operating grants to environmental and climate NGOs €9 million Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total; Nature&Biodiversity: 55% of the 81% of sub-pörogramme environment minus financial instruments, i.e. minus 30 mio. 15/04/2019

15/04/2019 LIFE 2014-2020 New Tools Tools Project types: Integrated, technical assistance, capacity building, preparatory projects Funding types: Innovative financial instruments => Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF – biodiversity and climate action), Private Finance for Energy Efficiency (PF44EE – climate action) Funding rates: max. until 2017: 60% of eligible costs for all except priority species/habitats (75%) and capacity building (100% of eligible costs) 15/04/2019

Tools: Integrated projects (IPs) For whom? Mainly public administrations or other entities active in the field of environment and climate protection, capable of coordinating, besides the IP, complementary actions co-funded by additional private, public (preferably EU) funds. What? Implementing Union environmental and climate plans and strategies (LIFE MAWP for 2014-2017); big scale; complementary actions with additional co-funding; involvement stakeholders Average size? 2 to 10 beneficiaries; EU contribution: €10 mio. to €15 mio.; about 3 IPs per Member State. Co-funding rate? 60% 15/04/2019

LIFE – "integrated projects - IPs" 15/04/2019 LIFE – "integrated projects - IPs" Integrate/mainstream environmental/climate policy in other EU policies Implementation of an EU Plan or Strategy Water: River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) Air: Air Quality Management Plans (AQMP) Waste: Waste Management Plans (WMP) Nature: Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAF) Climate Mitigation: Climate Adaptation: Ensure supplementary funding sources for complementary actions, preferably EU funding Involve all relevant stakeholders - and think BIG! 15/04/2019

15/04/2019 LIFE – IPs – the concept Plan/strategy implemented by the IP and complementary actions: Action 1 Action 2 …. Complementary actions/measures (co-) financed by non-LIFE funds (EU/national/private). LIFE Integrated Project LIFE co-financing: Beneficiaries contribution: 60% 40% No other EU funds used!! Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total; Nature&Biodiversity: 55% of the 81% of sub-pörogramme environment minus financial instruments, i.e. minus 30 mio. 15/04/2019

LIFE – IPs – the concept Implementation of a Plan or Strategy means: 15/04/2019 LIFE – IPs – the concept Implementation of a Plan or Strategy means: Target implementation of all elements/actions of the plan in question In a large geographical area/ covering a significant number of cities (air, water) Not all aspects have to be covered by the LIFE IP itself But there have to be longterm commitments to implement the entire plan in the given geographical area / cities by all relevant actors N.B.: IP's are there to help competent authorities do what is their legal obligation! 15/04/2019

LIFE IP- two-phase application 15/04/2019 LIFE IP- two-phase application 1st step: Concept note to be accompanied by a Financial Plan to demonstrate compliance with the obligation to mobilise funds and the plan or strategy (for the sub-programme for environment: Prioritised Action Frameworks (PAF), River Basin Management Plans (RBMP), Waste management Plans (WMP), Air Quality Management Plans) to be (partially) implemented 2nd step: The full proposal including full set of forms and a letter of intent from at least one other funding source 15/04/2019

LIFE –Water IPs should… implement a/parts of a River Basin Management Plan (RMBP) in line with the Water Framework Directive, draw in and target supplementary funding from EU sources (e.g. EARDF), public funding sources (e.g. flood funds), private finance (e.g. water companies, local business) and commitments to implement the whole plan in a significant part of the catchment area, involve local stakeholders and NGOs in decision making offer a blueprint for how to integrate EU, national and local priorities on the ground 15/04/2019

15/04/2019 LIFE – IPs – RBMP Objective: to improve water quantity, water quality, provide flood protection, protect bathing & shellfish waters improve biodiversity and deliver recreation benefits Desired additional outcomes: contribute to quantifying and improving ecosystem services; deliver for N2000 in a whole river basin or large catchment, buid resilience to future climate change Necessary elements: targeted infrastructure investment, land management and land use change; removal of hydromorpholgical barriers, supplementary funding and complementary actions outside the LIFE programme Sub-programme ENV: 75% of total; Nature&Biodiversity: 55% of the 81% of sub-pörogramme environment minus financial instruments, i.e. minus 30 mio. 15/04/2019

Water IP – RBMP example: Target whole river basin district • Seek out synergies at the outset and plan for multiple benefits • Plan and implement measures to restore to good status and achieve protected area objectives • Focus on improving compliance with basic measures • Targeted land use change to protect sensitive areas and achieve good status • Remove hydromorphological barriers from source to sea 15/04/2019

Drinking water protected areas: Target uptake of measures that reduce pesticides and nutrients in binding agreements (e.g. arable reversion, forestry) NGO, competent authorities Water IP - example Continuous 5 m buffer strips on all watercourses - protecting water and offering terrestrial biodiversity benefits Competent authority Regular management & control: Local public authority Reduce pollutant loss from all agricultural land through targeted advice and inspections EU directive and WFD basic measures Competent authorities, staeholders European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) Bathing waters (land hydrologically connected to bathing water): Target uptake of measures that reduce likelihood of faecal pathogens entering waters Local authorities Remove all hydromorphological barriers European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Wetland creation/restoration To reduce nutrients, recreate pre- existing wetlands, store flood waters Pilot: NGO, competent authorities Large scale: ESIF 15/04/2019

LIFE – Operating grants for NGO – Who? 15/04/2019 LIFE – Operating grants for NGO – Who? Small, separate programme for 1-year operating grants (core funding) to co-finance the functioning of EU level environement and climate NGOs, i.e. non-profit making entities which pursue an aim of general Union interest, are primarily active in the field of environment or climate action, are involved in the development, implementation and enforcement of Union policy and legislation. 15/04/2019

Two sub-programmes – which one should I choose? Environment Climate action Clear link to the specific objectives for the three environmental priority areas Projects falling under one of the project topics Climate mitigation or adaptation is a by-product but not the central objective Climate mitigation or adaptation is the main goal Clear link to the specific objectives for the three climate action priority areas 15/04/2019

Tools: Technical Assistance Project (TAs) For whom? For those who would like to submit an IP, but need assistance in finalising the application What? Support in drafting the IP application; should be applied for a year before the intended IP Average size? Maximum 1% of the allocation for IP's => maximum 100.000€ Co-funding rate? 60% 15/04/2019

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IP versus "traditional" (1) 15/04/2019 IP versus "traditional" (1) Implementation of a Plan/Contributing to the implementation of a Plan: The IP serves as start-up of the implementation of an EU Plan from A to Z in a given region/number of cities The traditional project implements actions/improves the implementation of one or several aspects of a Plan 15/04/2019

What is eligible for cofunding? 15/04/2019 What is eligible for cofunding? In general: All cost directly related to the project objectives Personnel cost (if public authority 102% rule) External assistance (limited to 35% of the budget) Equipment (special rules on depreciation) Overheads (limited to 7%) Consumables/Other costs Land purchase (only for priority species or habitats linked to Natura 2000) 15/04/2019

Approximate Dates Call for Proposals: May – June 2014 (to be announced by 7 April) Deadline for submission by applicants: October 2014 Earliest project start date: 1 June 2015 22 22 22

Much more information! http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/index.htm 15/04/2019