LIFE Programme logo

LIFE Environment and Climate Action - Integrated Projects
Deadline: Sep 5, 2018  
CALL EXPIRED

 Biodiversity
 Forest Resources
 Plant Health
 Rural Development
 Natural Resources
 Environment
 Environmental protection
 LIFE programme
 Climate Sciences
 Pollution

1.1 What is LIFE?

LIFE is the European Programme for the Environment and Climate Action, for the period from 1 January 2014 until 31 December 2020. The legal basis for LIFE is Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 20131 (hereinafter "the LIFE Regulation").

The LIFE Programme is structured in two sub-programmes: the sub-programme for environment and the sub-programme for climate action.

The sub-programme for environment covers three priority areas:

  •   LIFE Environment and Resource Efficiency

  •   LIFE Nature and Biodiversity

  •   LIFE Environmental Governance and Information

The thematic priorities for each priority area are further described in Annex III to the LIFE Regulation.

The sub-programme for climate action covers three priority areas:

  •   LIFE Climate Change Mitigation

  •   LIFE Climate Change Adaptation

  •   LIFE Climate Governance and Information

The overall financial envelope for the implementation of the LIFE Programme is EUR 3.457 Billion, 75% of which is allocated to the sub-programme for environment (EUR 2,592,491,250).

According to Article 17(4) of the LIFE Regulation, at least 81% of the total budget shall be allocated to projects supported by way of action grants or, where appropriate, financial instruments. The second LIFE Multiannual Work Programme covering the period 2018-2020 foresees a budget of EUR 1,243.81 Million for the sub-programme for environment2.

During the period 2014-2020, the Contracting Authority will launch one call for LIFE project proposals per year.

1.2 "Traditional" Projects

Article 2 of the LIFE Regulation defines the various types of projects which may be supported by the LIFE 2014-2020 programme. While some of the project types (eg 'integrated projects' and 'capacity building projects') are new to LIFE, other project types are similar to those already supported by LIFE+ and previous LIFE programmes.

These "traditional" types of projects are:

  •   "pilot projects" means projects that apply a technique or method that has not been applied or tested before, or elsewhere, and that offer potential environmental or climate advantages compared to current best practice and that can subsequently be applied on a larger scale to similar situations;

  •   “demonstration projects” means projects that put into practice, test, evaluate and disseminate actions, methodologies or approaches that are new or unknown in the specific context of the project, such as the geographical, ecological, socio-economic context, and that could be applied elsewhere in similar circumstances;

  •   “best practice projects” means projects that apply appropriate, cost-effective, state-of- the-art techniques, methods and approaches taking into account the specific context of the project;

  •   "information, awareness and dissemination projects" means projects aimed at supporting communication, dissemination of information and awareness raising in the fields of the sub-programmes for Environment and Climate Action.

In order for a project to be considered pilot/demonstrative, the overall character of its core actions must be pilot/demonstrative. Although some best practice actions might be included in the project proposal, the overall approach must clearly have a pilot/demonstrative character and this should be justified in detail in the proposal.

The following table shows which type of project may be submitted to which priority area:

 

Sub-Programme
Priority Area
Types of Traditional Projects Eligible

 

Environment
Environment and Resource Efficiency
Demonstration and pilot projects

Environment
Nature and Biodiversity
Best practice, demonstration, and pilot projects

Environment
Environmental Governance and Information
Information, awareness and dissemination projects

Climate Action
Climate Change Mitigation
Best practice, demonstration, and pilot projects

Climate Action
Climate Change Adaptation
Best practice, demonstration, and pilot projects

Climate Action
Climate Governance and Information
Information, awareness and dissemination projects

 

The amount available for co-financing action grants for all types of "traditional" projects under the Environment sub-programme is indicatively set at EUR 217 000 000

Projects financed by the LIFE Programme under one priority area shall avoid undermining environmental or climate objectives in another priority area and, where possible, promote synergies between different objectives as well as the use of green procurement.

1.3 Role of project topics

The LIFE multiannual work programme for 2018-2020 defines project topics implementing the thematic priorities for the sub-programme for environment listed in Annex III to the LIFE Regulation for pilot, demonstration, best practice and information, awareness and dissemination projects ("traditional" projects). They reflect the priorities on which projects should focus during the relevant period. Eligible proposals that reach or pass the minimum pass scores (see section 5.1.1 of the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2018-2020) and target a relevant project topic will be given priority over projects of comparable quality that do not fall under one of the project topics. See also the Guide for the evaluation of LIFE project proposals 2018 for further details on scoring of proposals.

1.4 How, where and when to submit a proposal?

Project submission procedure will be organised in two stages:

  Stage 1: Concept note

  Stage 2: Full proposal

 

Stage 1: Concept Note

Concept notes should be submitted through the online tool eProposal, available via the LIFE web page. The application tool contains all administrative (A), technical (B) and financial (F) forms required to submit a Concept Note.

For complete details regarding the application forms relevant at Stage 1, please refer to section 3 of this document. For complete details regarding the use of the eProposal tool, please refer to Annex 3 of this document.

Applicants must submit their concept notes to the Contracting Authority via eProposal before

12/06/2018, 16:00 Brussels local time.

The concept note can be modified, validated and (re)submitted as many times as needed until 12/06/2018, 16:00 Brussels local time. You are recommended to submit your draft(s) regularly during the entire submission period to avoid last minutes issues with your internet connection of other IT related failures. Each subsequent submission overwrites the previously submitted version (earlier versions are not archived and are therefore not available anymore).

 

Stage 2: Full proposal

The applicants with the best ranked concept notes will be invited (in 10/2018) to submit a full proposal using the web tool eProposal available via the LIFE web page.

The application tool contains all administrative (A), technical (B and C) and financial (F) forms required, and functionalities to attach relevant documents (maps, photos, diagrams, graphs, mandatory administrative and financial annexes). For complete details regarding the application forms, please refer to section 3 of this document. For complete details regarding the use of the eProposal tool, please refer to Annex 3 of this document.

 

Applicants invited to submit their full proposals to the Contracting Authority via eProposal will have to do it by January (submission deadline will be confirmed with Stage 2 invitation letter).

The proposal can be modified, validated and (re)submitted as many times as needed until the Stage 2 submission deadline. You are recommended to submit your draft(s) regularly during the entire submission period to avoid last minutes issues with your internet connection of other IT related failures. Each subsequent submission overwrites the previously submitted version (earlier versions are not archived and are therefore not available anymore).

For the proposals covered by these guidelines the Contracting Authority is the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME).

When preparing the proposal, the applicants may wish to consult the relevant LIFE National Contact Point; the complete list of the names and contact addresses of the national/regional authorities for LIFE in the Member States can be found on the LIFE website at

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/contact/nationalcontact/index.htm

 

1.5 How will LIFE projects be selected?

The technical methodology for the project selection procedure and the selection and award criteria are described in section 5 of the LIFE multiannual work programme for 2018-2020. For a detailed description of how this procedure will be implemented, please refer to the 'Guide for the evaluation of LIFE project proposals 2018'.

 

Very important: Please note that the e-mail address specified by the applicant as the contact person's e-mail address in form A2 will be used by the Contracting Authority as the single contact point for all correspondence with the applicant during the evaluation procedure. It should therefore correspond to an e-mail account which is valid, active and checked on a daily basis throughout the duration of the evaluation procedure.

The individual grant agreements are expected to be signed by the Contracting Authority starting from July 2019 (for an indicative timetable, see Annex 1).

The earliest possible starting date for projects is 15 July 2019.

1.6 General Guidance to Applicants

The current chapter replies to some frequently asked questions on how to conceive a LIFE project proposal. For specific guidelines, see section 2; for recommendation on how to fill in the technical and financial forms, please refer to section 3 of this document.

1.6.1 In which language may the concept note/full proposal be submitted?

The concept note must be submitted in English.

As for the full proposal, the Contracting Authority strongly recommends that applicants fill in the technical part and especially the financial part of the proposal in clear English only, although they may also be submitted in any of the official EU languages, except Irish or Maltese.

Note that the grant agreement, project management, formal reporting, key deliverables and all communication with the Contracting Authority will have to be in English.

The title of the proposal and form B1 ("Summary description of the project") must always be submitted in clear English. Form B1 may in addition also be submitted in the language of the proposal.

1.6.2 Who may submit a proposal?

A proposal may be submitted by any legal person registered in the European Union.

Entities participating in the proposal may fall into three types of beneficiaries: (1) public bodies, (2) private commercial organisations and (3) private non-commercial organisations (including NGOs).

The term "public bodies" is defined as referring to national public authorities, regardless of their form of organisation – central, regional or local structure – or the various bodies under their control, provided these operate on behalf of and under the responsibility of the national public authority concerned. In the case of entities registered as private law bodies wishing to be considered for the purpose of this call as equivalent to "public law bodies", they should provide evidence proving that they comply with all criteria applicable to bodies governed by public law and in the event the organisation stops its activities, its rights and obligations, liability and debts will be transferred to a public body. For a complete definition, please refer to the annex "Public body declaration", which must be completed by all beneficiaries which wish to be considered and treated as a 'public body'. The only exception concerns those central (e.g.: Ministry) and local administrations (e.g.: Provinces, Municipalities, Regions etc.) whose nature of 'public body' is clear.

Please note that so called 'Sole traders' (i.e. entities owned and run by one individual and where there is no legal distinction between the owner and the business) are considered natural persons and are therefore not eligible to participate as beneficiary or affiliate in this call.

Please refer to the 'Guide for the evaluation of LIFE project proposals 2018 of Environment Sub-programme' for full details regarding the compulsory administrative documents which are required with the proposal depending on the legal status of the coordinating beneficiary.

Once a proposal has been accepted for co-funding, the applicant will become the coordinating beneficiary who is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the project. The coordinating beneficiary will be the single point of contact for the Contracting Authority and will be the only beneficiary to report directly to the Contracting Authority on the project's technical and financial progress.

The coordinating beneficiary receives the EU financial contribution from the Contracting Authority and ensures its distribution as specified in the partnership agreements established with the associated beneficiaries (if there are any – see below). The coordinating beneficiary must be directly involved in the technical implementation of the project and in the dissemination of the project results.

The coordinating beneficiary must bear part of the project costs and must thus contribute financially to the project budget. It cannot therefore be reimbursed for 100% of the costs that it incurs.

The coordinating beneficiary must show its legal status (by completing application form A2) confirming legal registration in the EU.

In addition to the coordinating beneficiary, a LIFE proposal may also involve one or more associated beneficiaries and/or one or more project co-financiers.

The associated beneficiary must always contribute technically and financially to the proposal and hence be responsible for the implementation of one or several project actions. Furthermore, it must provide the coordinator beneficiary with all the necessary documents required for the fulfilment of its reporting obligations to the Contracting Authority.

There is no pre-defined number of associated beneficiaries to be involved in a LIFE proposal. A proposal that is submitted without any participant other than the coordinating beneficiary itself is eligible. On the other hand, a beneficiary should not hesitate to associate other beneficiaries, if this would bring an added value to the project, such as when the partnership strengthens the feasibility or the demonstration character of the proposal, its European added value, its impact and/or the transfer of its results and lessons learnt.

Public undertakings whose capital is publicly owned and which are considered an instrument or a technical service of a public administration, and which are subject to the public administration's control, but are in effect separate legal entities, must become beneficiaries if a public administration intends to entrust the implementation of certain project actions to these undertakings3.

Exceptionally an associated beneficiary may be legally registered outside the European Union if the actions outside the EU it is responsible for are (the coordinating beneficiary of the project in any case be based in the EU) necessary to achieve EU environmental objectives and to ensure the effectiveness of interventions carried out in the Member State territories to which the Treaties apply. In other words, the participation of an entity established outside the EU that will only contribute with the know-how or will collaborate to implement actions in the EU will not be considered as sufficient.

All associated beneficiaries must show their legal status (by completing application form A5), and provide full information on the Member State or third country in which they are registered. In addition all beneficiaries whether registered or not in the EU must declare that they are not in any of the situations foreseen under Article 106(1) and 107 of the EU Financial Regulation4 (by signing the application form A3 or A4 – see instructions in section 3 of this document).

For private beneficiaries, the Contracting Authority may accept that affiliated entities to a beneficiary participate in a project as long as all conditions listed in the Model Grant Agreement and its Annex X (Financial and Administrative Guidelines) are fulfilled. However, the association of entities as affiliates may complicate the project structure and thus have a negative impact on the technical and financial coherence of the project. It is therefore entirely in the Contracting Authority's administrative discretion to accept affiliates, and in no case will affiliated entities be accepted for public beneficiaries or entities that do not comply with the description of affiliated entities hereafter.

Affiliated entities need to comply with the eligibility and non-exclusion criteria applying to applicants and should have a structural link with the beneficiary concerned (i.e. a legal or capital link) that is neither limited to the project nor established for the sole purpose of the project implementation (so the link would exist independently of the award of the grant; it should exist before the call for proposals and remain valid after the end of the project).

As affiliated entities could be accepted those directly controlled by the beneficiary (i.e. daughter companies or first-tier subsidiaries), entities controlling the beneficiary (mother company) OR in case of Memberships, the beneficiary has to be legally defined as a network, federation, association in which the proposed affiliated entities participate. However, if several beneficiaries want to work with the same 'affiliate', the 'affiliate' should be proposed as 'beneficiary' instead.

A project co-financier only contributes to the project with financial resources, has no technical responsibilities, and cannot benefit from the EU financial contribution. Furthermore, it cannot act, in the context of the project, as a sub-contractor to any of the project's beneficiaries.

For specific tasks of a fixed duration, a proposal may foresee the use of sub-contractors. Sub-contractors provide external services to the project beneficiaries who fully pay for the services provided. Beneficiaries (including their affiliated entities) may not act as sub- contractors. Sub-contractors should normally not be identified by name in the proposal; if they are, the General Conditions of the Model LIFE Grant Agreement must still be respected.

For a more detailed description of the respective rules related to the coordinating beneficiary, associated beneficiaries, affiliates, co-financiers and sub-contractors, please refer to the General Conditions of the Model LIFE Grant Agreement.

1.6.3 What is the optimal budget for a LIFE project?

There is no fixed minimum size for project budgets. While large ambitious projects (i.e. over 5,000,000 Euro total costs) have been financed several times in the past, small projects (i.e. below 500,000 Euro total costs) have seldom succeeded due to the limited output and consequently the low added value.

 

1.6.4 What is the maximum rate of EU co-financing under LIFE?

For the duration of the second LIFE multiannual work programme for 2018-2020, the maximum EU co-financing rate for "traditional" LIFE projects is 55% of the total eligible project costs. An exception is made for "traditional" LIFE projects in the priority area Nature and Biodiversity under the sub-programme Environment for which the EU co-funding rate can go up to 60%, or 75% in specific cases.5

The payment schedule foreseen is the following:

(TABLE NOT AVAILABLE)

 

1.6.5 How much should project beneficiaries contribute to the project budget?

The coordinating beneficiary and any associated beneficiaries are expected to provide a reasonable financial contribution to the project budget. A beneficiary's financial contribution is considered as a proof of its commitment to the implementation of the project objectives – a very low financial contribution may therefore be considered as an absence or lack of commitment.

A proposal cannot be submitted if the financial contribution of any of the beneficiaries to the proposal budget is EUR 0.

 

Moreover, where public bodies are involved as coordinating and/or associated beneficiaries in a project, the sum of their financial contributions to the project budget must exceed (by at least 2%) the sum of the salary costs charged to the project for personnel who are not considered 'additional'. For details, please refer to section 3.4 of this document.

1.6.6 What is the optimal starting date and duration for a project?

When preparing the project's time planning, beneficiaries should be aware that the expected date of the signature of the grant agreements for the LIFE 2018 projects will be June-July 2019. The earliest possible starting date for these projects is 15 July 2019. Any costs incurred before the project's starting date will not be considered eligible and cannot be included in the project budget. There is no pre-determined project duration for a LIFE project. Generally speaking, the project duration must correspond to what is necessary to complete all of the project's actions and to reach all its objectives. On average projects last for 3–5 years.

Only under exceptional circumstances, the Contracting Authority may decide to grant an extension of the project duration. The experience of the previous LIFE Programmes has shown that many projects had difficulties completing all actions within the proposed project duration, mostly due to unforeseen delays and difficulties encountered during the project. Beneficiaries are therefore strongly advised to build an appropriate safety margin (e.g. 6 months) into the timetable of their proposal.

Beneficiaries should also be aware that a project that has completed all of its actions prior to the expected end date can submit its final report ahead of schedule and receive its final payment before the official project end date mentioned in the grant agreement.

1.6.7 Where can a LIFE project take place?

LIFE projects shall take place in the territory of the European Union Member States. The LIFE Programme may also finance activities outside the EU and in overseas countries and territories (OCTs), provided that the coordinating beneficiary is based in the EU and strong evidence is provided that the activities to be carried out outside the EU are necessary to achieve EU environmental objectives and to ensure the effectiveness of interventions carried out in the Member State territories to which the Treaties apply (e.g. actions aimed at the conservation of migratory birds in wintering areas or actions implemented on a trans boundary river). Please note that this is clearly an exception as normally actions should be carried out in the EU. However, when the problem at stake cannot be addressed successfully or efficiently unless actions are carried out also in non-EU countries, this will be possible. Qualitative and quantitative evidence to justify the need for those actions outside the EU must be given in the description of each of these actions in the relevant forms.

The eligibility criteria formulated in European Commission notice Nr.2013/C-205/05 (OJEU C-205 of 19/07/2013, pp. 9-11), concerning the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities in the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 for grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the EU from 2014 onwards, shall apply for all actions under this call for proposals, including with respect to third parties referred to in Article 137 of the EU's Financial Regulation.

 

1.6.8 Who should manage a LIFE project?

It is expected that the project management is carried out by the staff of the coordinating beneficiary. However, on the basis of an appropriate justification it may be carried out by an associated beneficiary or by sub-contractor under the coordinating beneficiary's direct control. It is also strongly advised that each project has a full-time project manager.

The proposal should clearly describe who will be in charge of the project management, how much personnel and time will be devoted to this task and how and by whom decisions on the project will be made during the project period (i.e. how and by whom the project management will be controlled).

1.6.9 Outsourcing of project activities

The beneficiaries should have the technical and financial capacity and competency to carry out the proposed project activities. It is therefore expected that the share of the project budget allocated to external assistance should remain below 35%. Higher shares may only be accepted if an adequate justification for this is provided in the project proposal.

The General Conditions of the Model LIFE Grant Agreement must be respected for any external assistance.

In line with Article 19 of the Regulation, beneficiaries (public and private) are strongly advised to use "green" procurement. The European Commission has established a toolkit for this purpose. More information can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/toolkit_en.htm

1.6.10 Under which conditions does LIFE favour transnational projects?

The LIFE Regulation indicates that, while selecting the projects to be co-funded, the Contracting Authority shall have special regard to transnational projects, when transnational cooperation is essential to guarantee environmental or nature protection. On the basis of award criterion 6, additional points will be given to a proposal if there is sufficient evidence for an added value of the transnational approach. If such evidence can be provided, the proposal will be considered for a higher scoring in the project selection process and will therefore have a higher chance of being selected for co-funding.

N.B. The meaning of "transnational" as foreseen in the LIFE Regulation only covers cooperation among Member States as well as cooperation among Member States and third countries participating in the LIFE Programme under article 5 of the LIFE Regulation. Activities outside the Union or in overseas countries and territories, while possible as foreseen under article 6 of the LIFE Regulation, will not entail additional points under award criterion 6.

1.6.11 How voluminous should a LIFE proposal be?

A proposal should be as concise and clear as possible. Applicants should avoid voluminous proposals and should not provide excessively detailed descriptions of project areas, environmental technologies, lists of species, etc.

Clear and detailed descriptions should, however, be provided for all project actions. Maps should be annexed wherever this would be useful to clarify the location of the proposed actions (note that they are obligatory in some cases).

Brochures, CVs and similar documents should not be submitted and will be ignored if provided.

1.6.12 Ongoing activities

Actions already ongoing before the start of the project are not eligible.

Where actions to be undertaken in the project are significantly different from previous or ongoing activities in terms of frequency or intensity they are not considered ongoing. The applicant must provide adequate information in the proposal that allows to assess this aspect.

Exceptionally, in case of actions that were undertaken and completed in the past and that are proposed to be repeated at a similar frequency or intensity during the project, the applicant must provide evidence that such actions would not have been carried out in the absence of the LIFE project.

1.6.13 Sustainability of the project and its actions

LIFE projects represent a considerable investment, and the European Union attaches great importance to the long term sustainability of these investments. The sustainability of the project results in the medium and long term is understood as the capacity to maintain them after project implementation, be it by continuation, by replication or by transfer. It is obligatory that throughout the duration of the project, the beneficiaries consider how these investments will be secured, maintained, developed and made use of or replicated/transferred during or after the end of the project. Successful continuation, replication and/or transfer require a strategy including tasks to multiply the impacts of the projects' solutions and mobilise a wider uptake, reaching a critical mass during the project and/or in a short and medium term perspective after the end of the LIFE project. This goes beyond transfer of knowledge and networking, and involves putting the solutions developed and/or applied in the project into practice beyond the project period, elsewhere or for a different purpose.

1.6.14 Research activities and large infrastructure

Whereas EU funding for research activities is provided under Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014–2020)6, limited research aimed to improve and enhance the knowledge data underpinning the project may be carried out within a LIFE project. Research must be strictly limited and intrinsically related to the project's objectives and the applicant shall explain in detail how the proper implementation of the project relies on these research activities, showing that the existing scientific basis is insufficient, and how the additional knowledge will be used to implement the project actions. In such a case, scientific publications are considered important deliverables of the project.

Projects dedicated to the construction of large infrastructure do not fall within the scope of the LIFE Programme and are therefore not eligible. A project is considered to be dedicated to the construction of large infrastructure if the actual cost7 of a "single item of infrastructure" exceeds € 500,000. A "single item of infrastructure" means all elements as described in form F4a that are physically bound to ensure the functionality of the infrastructural investment (e.g. for an eco-duct the bridge, barriers, signposting, etc.). Such amount may be exceptionally exceeded if full technical justification is provided in the proposal demonstrating the necessity of the infrastructure for ensuring an effective contribution to the objectives of Articles 10, 11 or 12 of the LIFE Regulation.

1.6.15 Complementarity with other EU funding programmes

According to Article 8 of the LIFE Regulation, activities supported from the LIFE Programme must ensure consistency and synergies, and avoid overlap with other funding programmes of the Union. In particular, the Contracting Authority and the Member States must ensure coordination with the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and Horizon 2020.

It is thus essential that, prior to submitting their proposal to the Contracting Authority, beneficiaries check thoroughly whether the actions proposed under their project in practice could be, or are, funded through other EU funds.

The beneficiaries must inform the Contracting Authority about any related funding they have received from the EU budget, as well as any related ongoing applications for funding from the EU budget. The beneficiaries must also check that they are not receiving on-going operating grants from LIFE (or other EU programmes) that could lead to double financing.

Failure to signal this in the appropriate form A7 might lead to rejection of the proposal.

Please note that this is an area of growing concern, evidence shows that an increasing number of similar or same proposals are submitted to various programmes. Increasingly severe checks and cross-checks are carried out by the contracting authorities. Failure to declare that the same or a similar proposal has been submitted to another programme (or worst, already even partly financed) may have serious consequences.

In addition, at the project revision stage, the national authority may also be required to indicate the steps taken to ensure the coordination and complementarity of LIFE funding with other EU funding programmes.

On the contrary, projects that show synergies with EU policies different than those covered by the LIFE programme and with other EU funding mechanisms, will receive bonus points in the evaluation phase (Award criterion 6) depending on the extent and quality of such synergies. An example of such synergies could be a project aimed at improving waste management that simultaneously increases social integration.

1.6.16 Proposals following or based on previous LIFE projects

If the applicant is proposing a continuation of a previous LIFE project, he should clearly describe in form A7 why a further project phase is needed and how this will complement the results achieved with the previous project. The applicant should also explain when discussing sustainability (form B6), how a further continuation would be ensured with resources other than the LIFE programme. Last, but not least, in the description of every key action (C-forms) the applicant should provide precise information on how this action builds upon and complements the similar action carried out in the previous project phase.

 

Applicants should also show that they have taken into consideration other LIFE projects financed that addressed a similar issue. They will need to explain how their proposal builds upon or differs from the others and how it will coordinate with them if those projects are still on-going.

During the evaluation process these aspects will be carefully checked. Failure to provide full details on these aspects will have a negative impact on the final score.

1.6.17 Quantification of environmental benefits

The improved performances/advantages introduced by the proposed solution must be quantified in terms of the expected environmental benefits. They must be concrete, realistic and quantified as far as possible and must be presented in a life-cycle reasoning where relevant. This must be done by clearly comparing them to the state-of-play estimated or measured at the outset of the project. In this regard as far as the full proposal is concerned, consistency shall be ensured between environmental benefits described in the relevant forms and values reported in the table on LIFE Key project level indicators .

1.6.18 Coordination requirements for multiple proposals aimed at the same/similar issue

Evidence shows that an increasing number of proposals aimed at the same or at a similar issue are submitted, often in the same Member State without a clear rational and coordination mechanism. This happens more frequently in the Nature and Biodiversity priority area.

To avoid such situations applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with National Contact Points (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/contact/nationalcontact/) to check whether the topic they are addressing is being addressed also by other applicants. If this is the case, applicants are encouraged to seek cooperation to avoid possible overlaps and increase synergies.

1.7 Personal Data Protection Clause

The personal data supplied with your proposal, notably the name, address and other contact information of the beneficiaries and co-financiers, will be placed in a database named ESAP that will be made available to the EU Institutions and agencies, as well as to a team of external evaluators who are bound by a confidentiality agreement. ESAP is used exclusively to manage the evaluation of LIFE proposals.

The same personal data of successful projects will be transferred to another database called BUTLER, which will be made available to the EU Institutions and agencies and to an external monitoring team who are bound by a confidentiality agreement. BUTLER is used exclusively to manage LIFE projects.

A summary of each project, including the name and contact information of the coordinating beneficiary, will be placed on the LIFE website and made available to the general public. At a certain point the coordinating beneficiary will be invited to check the accuracy of this summary.

 

 

The list of successful beneficiaries and the relative amounts awarded to the projects selected will also be published in a public database called the Financial Transparency System8.

The Contracting Authority, or its contractors, may also use the personal data of unsuccessful applicants for follow up actions in connection with future applications.

Throughout this process, Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data will be respected by the Contracting Authority and its sub-contractors. You will notably have the right to access data concerning you in our possession and to request corrections.

Submission of a proposal implies that you accept that the personal data contained in your proposal is made available as described above. It will not be used in any other way or for any other purposes than those described above.

 

 

2. LIFE INTEGRATED PROJECTS

2.1 What are LIFE Integrated Projects versus traditional LIFE projects? Which one to choose?

When applying for LIFE funding, applicants shall choose the appropriate project category. A project application may only be submitted under one LIFE project category.

The following table provides a summary comparison highlighting the major differences between LIFE "traditional projects" and LIFE Integrated Projects:

 

 

1. Traditional projects*
(sub-programme for environment):
Target one or several thematic priorities for the sub-programme environment indicated in Annex III of the LIFE Regulation and possibly targets one or several project topics implementing the thematic priorities, as laid down in the MAWP.

(sub-programme for climate action):
Target one or several of the priority areas for the sub-programme climate action and policy areas as laid down in the Multiannual Work Programme.

Co-financing rates (%) and amounts (EUR) of LIFE contribution
Up to 60% (or up to 75%)
Historical average of EUR 1-2 million


Application
Two stage submission (sub-programme for environment):
1. Concept Note.
2. Full proposal.

One stage submission (sub-programme for climate action):
1. Full proposal

Geographical scale
Shall be implemented on a local, regional, multi- regional, national or trans- national scale.


Required link to a plan or strategy developed pursuant to EU/national legislation
No.
Link to plans/strategies is optional (may get extra scores).

Mobilisation of complementarity funds outside of the project itself
Not required.
No double funding or overlaps with other EU funds.

Beneficiaries
Public or private bodies.
Stakeholder involvement
Expected

Project period (average)
Historically, 1 to 5 years

Type of projects
Pilot, demonstration, best practice or information, awareness and dissemination projects.

Eligible costs
As per Grant Agreement.

Implementing mechanism
Full detailed project plan from beginning

Sustainability
Required for most projects.

* For further details on traditional projects please see the Guidelines for applicants under LIFE Environment and Resource Efficiency, LIFE Nature and Biodiversity and LIFE Climate Action.

 

----- 

 

2. Integrated Projects
Are limited to specific areas of intervention related to certain strategic plans in nature, air, water, waste, climate change adaptation and mitigation as follows:

  •   Nature IPs implement the PAFs;

  •   Water IPs implement the River Basin Management Plans;

  •  Waste IPs implement Waste Management Plans or Waste Prevention Programs;

  •   Air IPs implement Air Quality Plans.

  •   IPs implementing climate change adaptation strategies or plans;

  •  IPs implementing climate change mitigation strategies, action plans or low carbon economy roadmaps ;

  •  IPs implementing urban mitigation and/or adaptation action plans ;

Co-financing rates (%) and amounts (EUR) of LIFE contribution
Up to 60%
Expected average of EUR 10 million


Application: 
Two stage submission: 1. Concept Note.
2. Full proposal.

Geographical scale
Shall be implemented on a regional, multi-regional, national or trans-national scale.
For IPs in the air sector, a scale of minimum 5 cities is required.

Required link to a plan or strategy developed pursuant to EU/national legislation
Yes.
Must contribute to and catalyse the implementation of specific plans or strategies developed pursuant to EU/national legislation.

Mobilisation of complementarity funds outside of the project itself
Yes.

Compulsory mobilisation of at least one other relevant Union, national or private funding source implementation complementary within the same plan or strategy.
No double funding or overlaps with other EU funds for the LIFE IP per se.
The implementation of IPs may result in better access to other EU funding.

Beneficiaries
Public or private bodies.

The competent authority in charge of the implementation of the relevant plan or strategy is in general expected to submit and lead the Integrated Project.


Stakeholder involvement
Compulsory

Project period (average)
Expected, 6 years or more

Type of projects
IPs are a combination of elements of "traditional" project types: they should include mainly best practice elements that can be combined demonstration information, raising and dissemination elements. A capacity building element is mandatory.

Eligible costs
As per Grant Agreement.

Implementing mechanism
Revolving programming and reporting in phases

Sustainability
Required for all Integrated Projects, including long term commitment and capacity building.

 

 

* For further details on traditional projects please see the Guidelines for applicants under LIFE Environment and Resource Efficiency, LIFE Nature and Biodiversity and LIFE Climate Action.

 

 

2.2 What type of actions can be included in Integrated Projects?

Due to their possible complexity, IPs normally do not fall into any of the specifications seen under LIFE "traditional" projects but rather combine elements of those.

It is expected that IPs address and resolve environmental / climate problems at a larger scale. Most IPs would therefore implement actions that apply mostly best practices. At the same time, there will probably also be actions of demonstrative or innovative/pilot nature if those are needed in order to find the best solution to a problem that has not been resolved so far at a given scale or under the given conditions or no solutions exist at all. A capacity building element to allow an efficient and well-co- ordinated implementation of the targeted plan or strategy is mandatory in all Integrated Projects.

IPs are expected to be set up in such a way as to ensure replicability or transferability of the core project actions. IPs are expected to pave the way for the actual replication and transfer of the core project actions at the latest right after the end of the project. The replicable/transferable actions are to be identified and would need to be foreseen in the Concept Note and in particular in the full proposal.

"Best practice elements": "best practice actions" apply appropriate, cost-effective and state-of-the-art techniques, methods and approaches taking into account the specific context of the project.

It is foreseen that Integrated Projects will aim at the implementation of measures and actions foreseen in the relevant plan or strategy, using in most cases previously tested and confirmed methods and techniques.

“Demonstration elements”: put into practice, test, evaluate and disseminate actions, methodologies or approaches that are new or unknown in the project's specific context, such as geographical, ecological, socio-economic, and that could be applied elsewhere in similar circumstances;

 

 

"Pilot elements": apply a technique or method that has not been applied or tested before, or elsewhere, and that offer potential environmental or climate advantages compared to current best practice;

IPs should facilitate the building up of capacities of the beneficiaries and stakeholders with special regard to competent authority(s) in order to ensure the implementation of the complementary actions and of the entire plan or strategy targeted by the project as well as the sustainability of the investments made by the IP. The actions targeting capacity building can include the strengthening of human resources by hiring staff for the beneficiaries or training staff and stakeholders to improve their technical capacities and knowledge. They can also include the strengthening of the technical capacities of the entities or systems involved eg. via the establishment of monitoring systems or other technical facilities. In this respect, actions aiming at the efficient coordination of the use of various funds should also be foreseen. This may also entail the set-up of specific coordination groups or structures, the adoption of administrative or legal instruments, etc.

While an IP normally cannot achieve a full implementation of the targeted plan or strategy, it shall include strategic capacity building actions to catalyse a process towards the full implementation of that plan. IPs should therefore facilitate the building up of capacity for a more efficient implementation of the relevant plan or strategy including an enhanced absorption capacity for available funds.

 

2.3 Areas of intervention of Integrated Projects

 

Sub-programme for environment

2.3.1 Nature IPs

Nature Integrated Projects shall contribute towards achieving, in particular, target 1 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy and the general objectives of the Habitats and Birds Directives. The IPs should in particular contribute towards improving the conservation status of species and habitat types of Community Interest (Habitats Directive) and/or the status of bird species (Birds Directive)14.

Specifically, Integrated Projects should be used to facilitate the implementation of Prioritized Framework Programmes (PAF) - elaborated pursuant to Article 8 of the Habitats Directive15 - for Natura 2000 networks of the countries or regions concerned. To this effect, LIFE Nature Integrated Projects should support the further development, implementation and management of the Natura 2000 network, in particular via the development, testing, demonstration and application of conservation methods and practices, improving knowledge base about the nature values of the sites, raising awareness and improving administrative capacity of the beneficiaries and management authorities. The Integrated Projects may include Green Infrastructure16 actions if referred to in the PAF, so as to for instance improve the structural and functional 

connectivity of the Natura 2000 sites or the condition of ecosystems and the services they provide17.

Integrated Projects are expected to implement a chosen set of actions foreseen to be financed by LIFE in the corresponding PAF or PAFs of a country or region (or a combination of countries/regions). Due to this requirement, neither a Nature Integrated Project Concept Note nor a full proposal can be submitted in the absence of a PAF approved/adopted at the appropriate level and submitted to the European Commission which considered it of acceptable quality.

It is worth noting that the majority of the PAFs have already been developed by the Member States/regions and submitted to the European Commission in the course of 2013-2014. However, should the PAF require a major modification regarding e.g. selection of conservation measures or financial architecture, e.g. as a result of the operational programmes negotiations, the relevant authority should submit the updated PAF to the European Commission through the normal channels and attach it together with the full proposal.

Depending on the administrative structures of the Member States, PAFs cover either an entire country or a region. This has a direct impact on the geographical scope of a Nature IP as in most cases they would address the implementation of only one PAF. Nevertheless, applicants may find it appropriate to submit an IP covering territories falling under the scope of more than one PAF of the same or a neighbouring country.

The PAFs are expected to describe the measures that are necessary to achieve the objectives of Natura 2000, and as such contribute to meeting the goals of the Biodiversity Strategy. They should also indicate the financing sources intended to be used for their implementation. The timeframe for the PAFs corresponds to the deadlines set in the Biodiversity Strategy and in the Multiannual Financial Framework, i.e. it covers the period 2014-2020.

The authorities that elaborated the PAF normally indicated the LIFE programme among the funds that can contribute to achieving in particular targets 1 and 2 of the Biodiversity Strategy. Other complementary funds (ERDF; EAFRD, INTERREG, Horizon 2020, EMFF) could provide financing for achieving targets 3, 4 and 5 and, in some cases, also target 2. The applicants of Nature IPs can in principle base themselves on these indicative funding arrangements when designing the IP itself.

In a Nature IP application, the applicants should demonstrate how the project aims at the implementation of the PAF. To this effect the project should include actions that may facilitate the mobilisation and use of other complementary funds that can finance the implementation of actions or measures beyond those supported by the LIFE IP – both as regards scope and timeframe.

This means in practice that the IP shall include (i) a combination of actions that contribute directly to the implementation of measures – and achievement of targets - of the PAF foreseen to be financed by LIFE; and (ii) horizontal actions that facilitate the implementation of the PAF.

Further to the general objectives of IPs, the proposal should therefore present information on:

  •  the expected level of implementation of the PAF as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the IP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the IP,
  •   the area covered by measures, the number of sites, the relevance of these sites in terms of species and habitat types within their bio-geographical regions,

  •   the expected improvement of the conservation status of species and habitats with particular attention to those habitats and species that are considered as priority and/or those that have been reported as being in unfavorable conservation status,

  •   the expected improvement on the long term capacity to monitor and assess the status of species and habitats of EU importance (art 11 and 17 of the Habitats Directive).

2.3.2 Water Integrated Projects

Integrated Projects falling under the thematic priority area of Water shall support the targeted implementation of measures that will deliver progress towards achivement of WFD good status/potential objectives, in line with River Basin Management Plans (RBMP) established in Member States pursuant to the Water Framework Directive.

Due to this requirement, neither a water IP Concept Note nor a full proposal can be submitted in the absence of a RBMP adopted at the level at which the IP is to be carried out.

Integrated Projects should implement a chosen set of measures identified as necessary in the RBMP in a whole river basin or large sub-catchment.

The projects should focus on large scale (e.g. major sub-catchment or river basin) planning and establishment of measures to increase water retention in urban and rural areas, enhance infiltration, increase water storage capacity and remove pollutants through natural or "natural-like" processes. They should seek synergies to implement actions that will redress existing hydro-morphological pressures and improve biodiversity and amenity value.

The proposed actions should target significant pressures impacting on current water status in that river basin in general, and significant pressures affecting the environment’s capacity for water retention in particular. Such pressures should have been identified in the most recent assessments carried out by the Member State for the preparation of implementation plans for relevant EU legislation and policies (e.g. Water Framework Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Drinking Water Directive, Bathing Water Directive, Flood Directive and/or Drought plans).

The extent to which proposals for Water IPs contribute to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in articles 3, 10, 11 and 12 of the LIFE Regulation will be evaluated.

Water IPs should demonstrate their EU added value with regard to their contribution towards achieving WFD objectives – either in a quantified reduction of pressure or a predicted improvement in water bodies towards good status. Where possible this should be supplemented with an assessment of the wider ecosystem service benefits that will be realised through the IP.

Further to the general objectives of IPs, the proposals should address the following aspects:

  •  the expected level of implementation of the target RBMP as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the IP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the IP,

  •   the impact of the project in terms of addressing significant unaddressed pressures and or improvement towards WFD good status/potential objectives,

  •   how an ecosystems approach will be used to define and implement actions that deliver for WFD but also for other EU water policy objectives (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Drinking Water Directive, Nitrate Directive, Bathing Water Directive, Flood directive and/or Drought plans), and an assessment of the environmental, social and economic benefits that are expected to be realized through the IP,

  •   how the IP will help delivery of the WFD outside the scope of the IP - transferability of results to other river basins.

2.3.3 Waste Integrated Projects

Integrated Projects falling under the thematic priority area of Waste shall be designed to support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation of the Waste Management Plans (WMP) as required by article 28 of the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98 (WFD) and/or Waste Prevention Programmes (WPP) as requested by article 29 of the WFD.

Due to this requirement, neither a waste IP Concept Note nor a full proposal can be submitted in the absence of a WMP or WPP adopted at the appropriate level.

With the chosen set of actions, the Waste IP proposals should demonstrate their EU added value with regard to their contribution to the implementation of the waste hierarchy (article 4 of the WFD), the achievement of the recycling targets as foreseen in article 11 of the WFD and additional targets included in the EU waste legislation, as well as the implementation of necessary measures to support those objectives.

The extent to which each proposal contributes to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in articles 3, 10, 11 and 12 of the LIFE Regulation will be evaluated.

Further to the general objectives of IPs, the proposals should therefore address the following aspects:

  •   the expected level of implementation of the WMPs/WPPs as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the IP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the IP in particular for investments for collection and treatment of waste;

  •   the impact on the reduction of waste generation, the re-use of products and preparing for re-use activities, increase in separate collection (in particular for paper, glass, metal, plastic and bio-waste), recycling, phasing out landfilling, reduction of littering and reduction or adequate treatment of hazardous waste;

  •   the implementation of specific waste streams directives, like the WEEE Directive, Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, Landfill Directive;

  •   the implementation of economic instruments in support of sustainable waste management (extended producer responsibility, Pay-As-You-Throw schemes, landfill/incineration taxes);

  •   the development of communication and awareness-raising actions in support of the above mentioned objectives;

  •   the expected improvement of the long term capacity to monitor and assess the generation of municipal waste, its composition, its treatment according to the waste hierarchy, as well as the reinforcement of controls on movements (shipments) of waste;

  •  where applicable, the contribution to the implementation of the recommendations to the Member States included in the Roadmap elaborated under the compliance-promotion exercises in support of the implementation of the European waste legislation http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/framework/support_implementation.htm

2.3.4 Air Integrated Projects

Integrated Projects falling under the thematic priority area of Air shall be designed to support support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation and monitoring of local and regional air quality plans (AQP) as defined by Directive 2008/50/EC with the ultimate goal of contributing to the National Air Pollution Reduction Programmes.

Due to this requirement neither an air IP Concept Note nor a full proposal can be submitted in the absence of an AQP adopted at the appropriate level.

In general, large scale projects will be favoured. Accordingly, if an Air IP is based on local Air Quality Plans, then it should include coordination and cooperation between at least five cities with such plans.

In case the Air IP is based on one or more regional Air Quality Plans, the LIFE IP projects should include coordination and cooperation between all local administrations and regional administrations concerned.

The extent to which each proposal contributes to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in articles 3, 10, 11 and 12 of the LIFE Regulation will be evaluated.

The proposals should therefore address the following aspects:

  •   the expected level of implementation and associated air quality improvements of the Air Quality Plan as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the IP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the IP (in particular the contribution towards compliance with EU air quality legislation (existing limit and target values for ambient air quality and, where possible, levels recommended by the WHO), as well as with the National Emission Ceilings and national emission reduction commitments),

  •   the attention given to the chain of actions required to develop, implement and evaluate an Air Quality Plan: monitoring and modelling, establishing emission inventories and source attributions, policy development and implementation, public information and participation,

  •   the contribution to strengthening the air quality management and governance, including the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities at local, regional and national level,

  •   the geographic area and the number of people that would benefit from better levels of air quality, taking into account any challenging geographical, meteorological and socio-economic conditions.

 

Sub-programme for climate action

2.3.5 Climate change adaptation Integrated Projects18

Integrated projects falling under this category aim to implement climate change adaptation strategies or plans that address specific climate change vulnerabilities (e.g. coastal areas, drought or flood prone areas) or vulnerable sectors (e.g. water, agriculture/forestry, public health), using ecosystem-based approaches where relevant.

Synergies with other environmental and climate policies should be a central theme of adaptation projects, e.g. between climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity and water policy should be promoted, wherever relevant. EU value added will also be assessed with regard to the contribution of the IP to meeting climate resilience objectives, the level of mainstreaming into different sectors and the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders.

Integrated Projects are expected to implement a chosen set of actions in the corresponding adaptation strategy or plan to be financed by LIFE. Measures funded via the LIFE programme should complement measures funded from national sources or measures funded from other relevant Union funding programmes in order to implement an overarching adaptation strategy or plan.

The applicants should demonstrate how the project aims at the implementation of the strategy, plan or roadmap. To this effect the project should include actions that may facilitate the mobilisation and use of other complementary funds that can finance the implementation of actions or measures beyond those supported by the LIFE integrated project – both as regards scope and timeframe. This means in practice that the application/ integrated project shall include

(1) a combination of actions that contribute directly to the implementation of measures – and achievement of targets – of the integrated project foreseen to be financed by LIFE; and

(2) horizontal actions that facilitate the implementation of the overall strategy or plan , such as capacity-building.

The submission of a climate change adaptation Integrated Project Concept Note or full proposal requires that the national, regional or local adaptation strategy/plan in question is approved/adopted at the appropriate level.

Further to the general objectives of IPs, the proposal should therefore present information on:

  •   the expected level of implementation of the adaptation strategy/ plan as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the IP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the IP,

  •   the geographical area covered by measures and the number of citizens reached under the adaptation strategy or action plan,

  •   the expected improvement on climate resilience in a region and economic sectors through actions funded under LIFE and complementary projects

  •   the expected improvement on climate resilience of climate change vulnerabilities identified in the EU Adaptation Strategy

  •   the expected increase in the number of countries/regions/cities applying integrated approaches with support of the IP or replicating the results from the IP

  •   the contribution to strengthening climate change adaptation management and governance, including the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level,

  •   the contribution to mainstreaming climate change action into different sectors Example of an integrated project concerning the implementation of adaptation strategies or plans, such as a National Adaptation Strategy19:

18 Note: specific urban adaptation plans are included under section 2.3.6 38

A national adaptation strategy may contain research, knowledge transfer and communication measures, in addition to further assessing risks and vulnerabilities to climate change. The integrated project funded by LIFE could be used to fund risk or vulnerability assessments, and communication and awareness raising on climate change adaptation. While the LIFE integrated project can include limited research activities, dedicated research actions identified in the adaptation strategy could be covered by complementary actions through national funds or Horizon 2020. Related knowledge transfer activities (e.g. investments in education and training and infrastructure) may also be implemented through complementary actions funded by national funds or European Structural and Investment Funds.

Most, if not all, adaptation strategies have been developed with a sectoral focus20 , reflecting the need for cross-government and cross-sectoral adaptation working groups to drive implementation. There should therefore be actions to ensure multi-stakeholder involvement. The integrated project funded by LIFE could be used to establish and manage inter-regional or trans-boundary cooperation on a specific action or a shared challenge between stakeholders. Further, the integrated project funded by LIFE should also include capacity-building action and must include monitoring and evaluation actions.

As regards implementing adaptation options, the integrated project funded by LIFE could focus on a number of sectors. Under this example, a project could target agriculture and forestry and water management sectors. While the integrated project funded by LIFE can cover pilot nature-based solutions in flood-prone areas, large-scale flood management actions can be covered by complementary actions funded from ESIF. As regards agriculture, the integrated project funded by LIFE can include actions to establish networks on climate change and agriculture and rural development, as well as pilot projects. Complementary actions such as organic farming, forest conservation, prevention and restoration of damage to forest fires and natural disasters can be funded from European Structural and Investment Funds or national funds.

2.3.6 Urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation Integrated Projects

Integrated projects under this category shall support the targeted implementation of urban action plans pioneering the transition to a low carbon and/or climate resilient society. Projects are encouraged to address the following themes:

- the implementation of urban or local adaptation and/or mitigation strategies and action plans, such as those linked to the 'the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy'

- developing and deploying innovative adaptation solutions in urban areas, including in the water, energy and construction sectors, promoting and developing green infrastructure, contributing to nature conservation and biodiversity objectives in urban areas; and implementing public-private partnerships on climate change resilience.

- the implementation of urban or rural low-emission strategies, including urban transport, energy efficiency of public and private buildings, district heating training, low-emission city lighting.

Urban action plans contributing at the same time to climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives are highly encouraged.

An integrated project under this category must cover several cities and should support the implementation of whole strategy or action plan.

The applicants should demonstrate how the project aims at the implementation of the strategy, plan or roadmap. To this effect the project should include actions that may facilitate the mobilisation and use of other complementary funds that can finance the implementation of actions or measures beyond those supported by the LIFE integrated project – both as regards scope and timeframe. This means in practice that the application/ integrated project shall include

(1) a combination of actions that contribute directly to the implementation of measures – and achievement of targets  of the integrated project foreseen to be financed by LIFE; and

(2) horizontal actions that facilitate the implementation of the overall strategy, plan or roadmap, such as capacity-building.

Further to the general objectives of IPs, the proposal should therefore present information on:

  •   the expected level of implementation of the adaptation and/or mitigation action plan as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the IP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the IP,

  •   the geographical area covered by measures and the citizens reached under the adaptation and/or mitigation action plans,

  •   the expected contribution to a shift towards a low emission and climate-resilient economy in the cities/local communities targeted through actions funded under the IP and complementary projects

  •   the expected increase in the number of cities/local communities applying integrated approaches with support of the IP or replicating the results from the IP

  •   the contribution to strengthening climate change adaptation and/or mitigation management and governance, including the level of involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level

  •   the contribution to mainstreaming climate change action across different policy areas 2.3.7 Climate change mitigation Integrated Projects21

Integrated projects falling under the area of climate change mitigation shall support the implementation of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, action plans or low carbon economy roadmaps and concern specific municipalities or regions (e.g. as announced in the Global Covenant of Mayors), industrial or agricultural (by analysing land use on a regional scale, in a social and economic context) sectors, or other economic sectors by introducing technology and services based approaches in a sustainable and innovative way.

Integrated projects should contribute to the implementation and development of Union climate change mitigation policy and legislation, which could include:

- - the EU Emissions Trading System;

21 Note: Specific urban mitigation plans are included under 2.3.6

- the Effort Sharing Decision for sectors not covered by the EU ETS - the LULUCF Information Action as required by Decision 519/2013; - the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) Directive;
- the Regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases 517/2014;

- the 2030 climate and energy framework, based on breakthrough solutions and processes, possibly derived from sectoral low-emission roadmaps and strategies as well as the implementation of the 2050 low-carbon economy roadmaps.

Integrated Projects to be financed by LIFE are expected to implement a chosen set of actions in the corresponding greenhouse gas mitigation strategy or low carbon economy roadmap. Measures funded via the LIFE programme should complement measures funded from national sources or measures funded from other relevant Union funding programmes in order to implement an overarching mitigation strategy, plan or roadmap. The applicants should demonstrate how the project aims at the implementation of the strategy, plan or roadmap. To this effect the project should include actions that may facilitate the mobilisation and use of other complementary funds that can finance the implementation of actions or measures beyond those supported by the LIFE integrated project – both as regards scope and timeframe. This means in practice that the application/ integrated project shall include

(1) a combination of actions that contribute directly to the implementation of measures – and achievement of targets  of the integrated project foreseen to be financed by LIFE; and

(2) horizontal actions that facilitate the implementation of the overall strategy, plan or roadmap, such as capacity-building.

The submission of a climate change mitigation Integrated Project Concept Note or a full proposal requires that the transnational, national, regional or industry/sector strategy/action plan/roadmap in question is approved/adopted at the appropriate level.

Further to the general objectives of IPs, the proposals should therefore address the following aspects:

  •   the expected level of implementation of the mitigation strategy/ plan/ roadmap as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the IP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the IP,

  •   the geographical area covered by measures and the number of citizens reached under the mitigation strategy or action plan,

  •   the expected decrease in GHG emissions in a region or economic sector,

  •   the increased number of innovative technologies, systems and instruments

    and/or best practice solutions for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions

  •   the expected increase in the number of countries/regions/sectors applying integrated approaches with support of the IP or replicating the results from the IP.

  •   the contribution to strengthening climate change mitigation management and

    governance, including the level of direct involvement and commitment of the relevant competent authorities and stakeholders at local, regional and national level

  •   the contribution to mainstreaming climate change action into different policy areas

Three examples of integrated projects concerning the implementation of climate change mitigation strategies, action plans or roadmaps are illustrated below22:

Two examples of integrated projects concerning the implementation of LULUCF Information Action as required by Decision 519/2013:

1st example: Greenhouse has mitigation strategy for the dairy sector

Non CO2 emissions from agriculture are subject to the member states' reduction targets under the Effort Sharing Decision. While they have gone down during the past years, further progress can be made in view of the liberalisation of the dairy market.
In this context, the implementation of the strategy for the dairy sector at local, regional, national or translational level in the context of LULUCF could require a broad range of actions to be funded by different sources available to the potential stakeholders to be involved (sector representatives, dairy farms, grazing land owners/ feed providers, dairy industry, supply chain, advisors, researchers, local or national authorities, managing authorities of EU funds, the National Rural Network, local Action Groups, etc.).

For example the integrated project funded by LIFE could be used to fund different measures to implement such a dairy sector strategy or roadmap, including capacity building, mandatory monitoring and evaluation actions, preparatory actions such as the analysis of the carbon footprint and mitigation potential of the sector and development/testing/implementation of dairy breeding and feeding system, .

Complementary actions in this field could come from other sources such as the Common Agricultural Policy, Horizon 2020, the European Innovation Partnership for agriculture, European Structural and Investment Funds, nationally funded projects, private funds, etc. These actions that would help reduce emissions from the dairy sector could include research, development testing and implementation of dairy breeding and feeding techniques, carbon audit and development of farm level decision making tools taking into account carbon benefits, innovative waste management, short supply chains but also advisory services, vocational training and collective and individual investments needed for the implementation of these complementary actions. Some of these actions could also be included in the integrated project funded by LIFE, if necessary.

The implementation of the whole sectoral strategy is expected.
2nd example: Emission reduction through climate friendly management of peatland:

In the context of the implementation of LULUCF actions drawn up by Member States as referred to by decision 529/2013 an IP could envisage funding part of the nationally appropriate measures to limit or reduce emissions and to maintain or increase removals from the LULUCF.

If, for example, the LULUCF actions include measures to improve the management of agricultural organic soils, in particular peat lands, the integrated project funded by LIFE could fund the mapping and analysis of peatlands of a region, the elaboration of a climate friendly management plan of these peatlands as well as the implementation structure of this plan, including the mandatory monitoring and evaluation actions.

22 These example are given for illustrative purposes to show how an IP could take shape and should not be considered as a priority area,

The potential stakeholders to be involved could include peatland owners and managers, local, regional and national authorities, NGOs, farmers and foresters and other economic actors, managing authorities of EU funds, the National Rural Network, local Action Groups, etc.

Complementary actions could be funded from other funding sources such as European Structural and Investment Funds, Community Led Local Development strategies, Horizon 2020 as appropriate, to research, test, incentivise the most appropriate sustainable paludicultural practices, adapted agricultural practices, such as minimising soil disturbance or extensive practices or measures to prevent drainage and to incentivise rewetting of wetlands. Some of these actions could also be included in the integrated project funded by LIFE, if necessary.

In duly justified cases a partially implementation might be required.

Example on the implementation of the 2050 Roadmaps for competitive low-carbon economy

Industrial sectors have prepared 2050 Roadmaps for competitive low-carbon economy, analysing how particular industries can contribute to reaching EU's 2050 climate action targets23, while maintaining their international competitiveness. These Roadmaps could therefore serve as a strategic basis for proposed investments under this LIFE IP priority. Other strategic documents, with clear contribution to the 2030 climate and energy targets, possibly combined with resource efficiency goals24, can also be considered.

The integrated project funded by LIFE could be used to finance concrete implementation actions such as sector-specific application of advanced resource and energy efficient industrial processes, recycling and equipment. For example, multiple paths for emission reductions could be explored as part of an enhanced process, such as application of alternative fuels, substitution of fuels or raw materials, optimization technologies or higher energy efficiency during the production process. Furthermore, the integrated project funded by LIFE should also include capacity-building and must include monitoring and evaluation actions.

Complementary support for larger infrastructure, research and innovation activities, short supply chains and other services in this field could come from other sources like the European Structural and Investment funds, Horizon 2020, other EU sources, national funds, private funds etc. In addition, financing through development banks (EIB, EBRD, IBRD, or national development banks) could be used.

Potential stakeholders to be involved could include industry associations, companies along the supply chain, research institutions, public authorities, NGOs. Applications for implementation at local, regional, national or transnational level are welcome.

23 In March 2011, the European Commission published a “Roadmap for moving to a competitive low- carbon economy in 2050”, a document presenting possible actions to enable the EU to reduce the GHG emissions in the long term, and encouraging industrial stakeholders to develop specific Roadmaps. It was followed by a Roadmap for a resource-efficient Europe, Energy Roadmap 2050 and Transport White Paper, as well as finally the new Climate change and energy package 2030.

24 Resource efficiency goals need to be complementary with the climate and energy goals, and linked with EU targets, as stipulated in the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe and Communication Towards a circular economy: a zero waste programme for Europe.

 

2.4. How to conceive a LIFE Integrated Project proposal?

An IP project proposal should be clear, coherent, realistic and feasible in terms of actions and timetable. The proposal should be carefully structured in relation to the pre- operational context, the problems and threats, and the priorities as described in the related plan or strategy. Clear links should exist between the problems and threats, the project's objectives, the proposed actions and expected project's results.

The project proposal shall include a clear description of all actions foreseen including how, where, where and by whom each action in the proposal will be undertaken. The time planning must be realistic.

Actions shall follow a logical sequence, and inter-relation between project actions should be specified in the project description. Actions in the IP may be inter-related or dependent on actions outside the IP but necessary for the implementation of the targeted plan or strategy. The design of the IP should be done in a way as to minimize the risk that this interdependence jeopardizes the IP implementation, if the actions outside the IP are not feasible anymore.

To be considered eligible for funding, all actions must meet each of the following conditions:

  •   The concrete implementation actions (C Actions) must be foreseen in the targeted plan or strategy;

  •   The need of the action has to be well justified in view of the objectives of the project; and

  •   The long-term sustainability of the results must be guaranteed.
    When designing the IP and in particular when preparing your IP proposal, the following main types of eligible actions must be clearly distinguished:

    •   Preparatory actions (A Actions),

    •   Concrete (conservation/implementation) actions (C Actions),

    •   Monitoring of the impact of the project actions (D Actions),

    •   Communication and dissemination actions (E Actions),

    •   Project management and monitoring of project progress (F Actions).

The attention of applicants for IPs is drawn to the required large territorial coverage of the IP. The implementation of the targeted plan or strategy must cover a large territorial area, in particular regional, multi-regional, national or trans-national. For example, for Water IPs, the projects should have large scale coverage, such as the sub- catchment or river basin.

In the case of Waste IPs, large territorial coverage means the full or a substantial coverage of the territory covered by the relevant waste plan. The coverage should be designed in a way to ensure that in the long term the plan may be implemented in the whole area it covers.

In the case of Air IPs, if the project is based on local Air Quality plans, it should include coordination and cooperation between at least 5 cities with such plans. If based on a regional Air Quality Plan, the project should include coordination and cooperation between all local administrations and the regional administration.

The success of Integrated Projects is dependent on close cooperation between national, regional and local authorities (as relevant) and the non-state actors concerned. IPs are aimed at creating the long term capacity to implement the plan or strategy they address. A proposal should therefore provide sufficient details and evidence to show that the necessary capacity building activities are foreseen and that all measures will be in place before the end of the IP to guarantee that the responsible authorities and stakeholders will be able to continue implementing the plan or strategy after the end of the IP. In this respect capacity building actions may be included among the concrete C actions.

IPs require the involvement of key stakeholders. The key stakeholders shall be involved in the implementation of the targeted Union plan or strategy. Applicants shall foresee appropriate actions in the project to allow the involvement of well-identified and appropriate stakeholders in project implementation.

2.4.1 Preparatory actions (A actions)

As a general principle, all preparatory actions must produce practical recommendations and/or information that can be implemented (either during the project or after the project) and be used without requiring further preparatory work. Furthermore, where exceptionally preparatory actions do not lead to direct implementation during the project (either within the IP itself or by complementary actions implemented during the IP), the proposal must provide sufficient set of explanations, commitments and guarantees to show that their full implementation after the project is effectively ensured. In fact, most projects include preparatory actions. Projects cannot include preparatory actions that have been fully completed prior to the start of the project.

Preparatory actions should:

  •   be clearly related to the objective(s) of the project;

  •   not be actions targeting the elaboration of the plan or strategy the IPs are actually implementing (or plans that need to be elaborated in any of the four areas of possible IP intervention); however they can include actions targeting the revision of the plan or strategy being implemented if the validity of the present version of the plan submitted with the IP Concept Note or full proposal expires during the IP implementation period; they can also include additional planning activities if these are necessary for the full and effective implementation of the plan;

  •   not be actions that do not lead towards the actual implementation of the targeted plan;

  •   be significantly shorter than the project duration and should end well before the end of the project;

  •   not be research actions, unless they fall under the exceptions described in point 1.10.15 of this Guide,

  •   For Nature IPs: not be inventories of new Natura 2000 sites, with the exception of off-shore marine sites.

Preparatory actions, while normally being limited in their timeframe, do not have to commence or be completed during the first phase of the IP. Depending on their scope they may be implemented throughout the project period or may commence during a later phase of the project.

Preparatory actions may for example include:

  •  Review of the technical studies on technologies and processes to be implemented in the project;
  •   Data collection and modelling or setting up of databases required for the project implementation;

  •   Optimisation of the process to be implemented during the IP;

  •   Setting up of appropriate monitoring systems (including eg. in the case of Nature

    IP those for the purposes of Art. 17 monitoring);

  •   Actions preparatory to the concrete conservation/implementation actions of the project (technical planning, permit procedures, stakeholder consultations, etc.);

  •   Drafting/revising site management plans (e.g. for Natura 2000) or action plans (eg. for species and habitats);

2.4.2 Concrete implementation actions (C actions)

These are the core activities of the project proposal and must implement the actions foreseen in the plan or strategy targeted by the IP. They are mostly expected to be best practice but can also be innovative and/or demonstration actions.

Concrete implementation actions must have a tangible and measurable environmental / climate benefit. Actions' descriptions must therefore demonstrate a concrete environmental / climate benefit.

For the purposes of Integrated Projects, certain capacity building actions, in addition to those falling under the category of preparatory action, may also be considered to be implementation actions. This may include e.g. the development or improvement of coordination processes, structures and procedures required to better implement the plan.

The actual impact of the concrete implementation actions must be monitored during the project (see Monitoring of the impact of the project actions – D Actions).

There is no specific requirement regarding a minimum level of concrete actions under any type of IPs. However, it is expected that when implementing the targeted plan/strategy, most IPs would allocate a significant share of their budget to concrete actions with tangible results in accordance with the priorities of the plan/strategy. This aspect will be taken into account during the evaluation of the proposals.

Concrete implementation actions must aim to improve (or slow/halt/reverse the decline of) the environmental / climate aspects targeted either directly or through an increased capacity to implement the plan or strategy. Their impact must be measurable and must be monitored and evaluated during the project.

The actions may include the establishment of infrastructure, however, projects or actions dedicated to the construction of large infrastructure do not fall within the scope of the LIFE Programme and are therefore not eligible as indicated in chapter 1.10.16.

The maintenance of the investments made through these actions must be ensured in the long-term after the end of the project. Amongst others, where actions take place on land that does not belong to any of the beneficiaries, they must establish a convention with the owner in which he/she commits not to take any action that would compromise the investments/restoration made by the project. This convention must be for a suitably long period (ideally 30 years or longer). The establishment of these conventions must appear explicitly in the description of the relevant action(s) and in the corresponding "expected results" section.

a) Land purchase/lease of land and/or compensation payment for use rights

 

The concrete actions of Nature IPs may include the purchase or lease of land or compensatory payments. Inclusion of such actions in other types of IPs (e.g. Water, Climate Action IPs) can also be eligible in well justified exceptional cases.

This includes:

  •   the purchase of land and associated costs (e.g. notary expenses, taxes, etc.);

  •   the long-term lease of land and associated costs;

  •   one-off land use compensation payments and associated costs.

(Note: Short term lease and/or compensation payments can only be eligible for funding if they serve for demonstration of pilot actions – see below)

Any land purchase payments, compensation payments or lease payments to public bodies are not eligible, with the exception of compensation or short-term lease payments to local authorities (i.e. municipalities or similar).

It is recommended that local authorities re-invest the income from such payments into conservation or public awareness-raising measures for the Natura 2000 network or the Biodiversity Strategy. Those proposals that include a commitment from the local authorities in question to do so will be considered for a higher scoring on EU added value in the project evaluation process and may therefore have a higher chance of being selected for co-funding.

a1) Land purchase

The eligibility of any costs for land purchase is subject to the conditions listed below. The applicant must address each of these conditions in his full proposal, explaining how each condition is met or will be met during the project.

  1. The land purchase must be clearly related to the objectives of the project.

  2. The land purchased must contribute to improving, maintaining or restoring the integrity of the Natura 2000 network.

  3. The purchase is the only or most cost-effective way of achieving the desired conservation outcome.

  4. The land purchased is reserved in the long-term for uses consistent with the objectives set out in Article 11, 14 or 15 of the LIFE Regulation, through the most appropriate form of legal protection.

  5. The beneficiaries must ensure that the sales contract / notary act and/or entry in the land register includes a guarantee that the land is assigned definitively (without time limitation) to nature conservation purposes. Where both possibilities exist (sales contract and land registry entry), the beneficiaries must use the option that offers the strongest long-term protection. Note that with the final report, the beneficiaries will have to submit a copy of the sales contract and/or entry in the land register including the above mentioned guarantee. Should they fail to provide such documents, the corresponding land purchase costs and associated costs will be considered ineligible. For countries where it would be illegal to include such a guarantee in both the land register and in the sale contract, the Contracting Authority may accept an equivalent guarantee, provided it offers the same legal level of protection in the long term.

  6. The land must be purchased by one of the project beneficiaries who is either a well-established private organisation (e.g. nature conservation NGO or other) or a public body with nature conservation responsibility, and must remain in its ownership after the end of the project.

  7. 7. The proposal must demonstrate that each beneficiary that will carry out land purchase has the necessary competence and experience in land purchase for nature conservation, and that the planned target is realistic within the time framework of the project,
  8. 8. If the purchasing body is a private organisation, its statutes must include a provision that, in case of dissolution, the land will be transferred to another legal body primarily active in the field of nature conservation (e.g. another conservation NGO or appropriate public body).
  9. 9. Evidence must be provided in the proposal that the purchase price is consistent with the current market prices for the type of land and the region concerned.
  10. 10. Evidence must be provided that the land purchased was not owned by a public authority prior to the project starting date. Purchase of land that has recently been transferred from public to private ownership will not be eligible.
  11. 11. Land purchased must be the subject, during the project, of specific restoration and/or active management or restrictions of use that go beyond legal obligations and existing restrictions that could not be imposed without purchasing the land. The purchase of land that is in excellent conservation status (i.e. that requires no restoration or specific management or restrictions of use) is only eligible if strategic to the objectives of the project.

a2) payments

Long-term land lease, purchase of rights and one-off compensation

The same conditions listed above apply, as and where appropriate, to these types of payments. The applicant must address each of these conditions in the proposal, explaining how each condition is met or will be met during the project. The duration of a lease must be sufficient to guarantee the durability of the conservation investment (e.g. 30 years).

ac) Short term land lease or temporary compensation payments

Land lease or compensation payments with a limited duration, within the project period, will only be eligible insofar as they are necessary for the demonstration of pilot actions favourable to the conservation status of the species, habitats or ecosystem targeted. Note that appropriate justification for the cost-effectiveness of short term lease payments (consistency with current market prices for the type of land and the region concerned) will have to be provided with the project's final report.

2.4.3 Monitoring of the impact of project actions (obligatory D Actions)

Each project will have to report on the outcomes and impact of the project taking into account the LIFE integrated project performance indicators (see further instructions under "Obligatory action" here below).

The proposal should therefore identify specific indicators to be used to measure the impacts of the project (or foresee action(s) to do so). These indicators should be coherent with the plan being implemented and its objectives, with the problems addressed in the IP and with the type of activities planned. The initial situation from which the project starts should be assessed (baseline) and progress should be regularly evaluated against it.

The monitoring of the project impact on the implementation of the targeted plan, on the particular conservation, biodiversity or environmental /climate problems addressed and on the capacities being built up, should allow the project management either to confirm the adequacy of the developed means to address the specific problems and threats, or to question these means and alternatively develop new ones. At the end of the project, the beneficiaries should be able to quantify the progress achieved, also in terms of the impact on the implementation of the targeted plan.

Monitoring of the IP impacts and effects should take place throughout the project and its results should be evaluated on a regular basis. In this regard, every project proposal must contain an appropriate amount of monitoring activities in order to measure the project's impact. All projects will therefore have to include monitoring actions. These activities are distinct from the monitoring of the project progress (see F actions).

Monitoring of the project's contribution to the implementation of the targeted plan or strategy

IP project actions, and in particular the concrete implementation actions (C actions) must lead to a measurable increase in the rate of implementation of the targeted plan or strategy.

Particular attention should also be paid to and covered by dedicated sub actions for:

  •   the monitoring of the capacity building impacts of the project for an efficient well-coordinated implementation of the plan or strategy; and

  •   the direct or indirect impact on mobilisation of and coordination with complementary funds used for the implementation of the targeted plan, including the After LIFE period..

Monitoring of the project's environmental impact / project's impact on climate objectives

IPs must have a tangible and measurable impact on the environment / climate objectives. Concrete indicators should be established in order to evaluate the project's impact, during its implementation, and at final stage, and their assessment against the baseline Separate actions for the monitoring of the environmental / climate impact should be set covering also the multi-purpose delivery aspects of the project.

The indicators should be coherent with the targeted plan or strategy being implemented and its environmental / climate objectives, with the conservation, biodiversity or environmental / climate problems addressed in the IP and with the type of activities planned.

Monitoring of the project's socio-economic impact

In addition, each proposal must include – as applicable – separate actions aimed to assess the socio-economic impact of the project actions on the local economy and population, and to assess the IP's impact on the ecosystem functions, as relevant. This can take the form of a study or studies consolidating the data and results over the project lifetime, to be delivered with the Final Report. Projects should aim to increase social awareness and acceptance of the benefits of protecting the environment and adapting to and limiting climate change. Examples of positive effects of a project are: direct or indirect employment growth, enhancement of other activities (e.g. ecotourism) aimed to develop supplementary income sources, offsetting social and economic isolation, raising the profile of the area/region, resulting in increasing the viability of the local community (especially in rural areas).

Furthermore, IPs having pilot/demonstration elements must have a clear set of actions for evaluating the main project findings and outcomes, including the cost- efficient replicability or transferability of the actions and results and the measures taken to ensure the actual replication or transfer of successful pilot/demonstration actions. Proposals that are insufficient in these aspects will not be considered to have a pilot/demonstration value.

For Nature IPs, the direct linkages between the project measures and key ecosystem services provided, such as carbon sequestration, water purification, pollination, etc., should be clearly assessed. The impact of project actions aimed at restoring multi-functional ecosystems such as rivers, floodplains, forests, peatlands or mires should be assessed as far as possible in economic terms (monetary terms or if this is not possible there should be a qualitative estimation). All these should be consistent in so far as possible with the methodology on Mapping and Assessing Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) agreed at European level within action 5 of the Biodiversity Strategy.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/knowledge/ecosystem_assessment/index_en.ht m

Obligatory action: A specific action to monitor and measure the impact of the project (that will feed the online dynamic indicator database), should be part of the proposal with a defined budget. Each project will have to report on the outputs and impact of the project taking into account the LIFE Key project level indicators. These indicators will contribute to evaluating the impact of the LIFE project. Each proposal must include an action to compile the information needed to regularly report on project indicators and enter data related to those indicators in the dynamic indicators database (KPI database). The data will need to be entered at the latest during the first phase of the project and at the end of the project (include clear quantification in absolute and relative terms) and 3 or 5 years after the project ends (please select the timeframe most suitable for your project).

A dynamic indicators database is available to successful applicants. The database preview can be accessed for information at the following webpage:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/files/kpi/kpi_demo.htm

In case the webpage is not working (this can happen, for example, if the applicant does not have the Flash Plugin installed in the browser), it is possible to download an .mp4 movie from the following link:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/files/kpi/kpi_demo.mp4

At the application stage, the applicants need to fill in the provided Excel table (LIFE Key Project Level Indicators Call 2018.xlsx). The dynamic online database cannot be completed at this time and is presented only to show the applicants the type of information they will be asked to complete if and after their grant agreement is signed.

2.4.4 Communication and dissemination actions (obligatory – E actions)

LIFE IPs are expected to aim at the eventual full implementation of the targeted plan, in particular by building up capacities and facilitating the mobilization of other funds. IPs shall provide examples of good practice for an efficient and well-coordinated implementation of Union environmental / climate policies in Member States and regions.

The IPs shall include actions to ensure project's replicability and transferability during and after its implementation. Successful replication and transferability require including tasks to multiply the impacts of the project's solutions and mobilise a wider uptake, reaching a critical mass during the project and / or in a short and medium term perspective after the end of the IP.

 

 

(TRUNCATED -- please visit the public source for the full proposal



Public link:   Only for registered users


Looking for a partnership?
Have a look at
Ma Région Sud!
https://maregionsud.up2europe.eu