The European Commission has launched the first call for proposals under a new funding programme for projects dedicated to climate action - the LIFE Climate Action sub-programme will provide €44.26 million in 2014.
The sub-programme is part of the EU LIFE Programme 2014-2020 and will provide €864 million for climate action over the next seven years. It will also support better communication, cooperation and dissemination on climate mitigation and adaptation action.
European Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard commented:
"The new LIFE programme for Climate Action is making available more funds than ever before for innovative climate projects around Europe. This will help bring to life cutting-edge low-carbon technologies and scale-up the climate solutions already out there. These funds will also help achieve the EU's climate legislation and policy objectives. Today's call for proposals addresses pilot, demonstration and best practice projects."
Interested organisations are encouraged to start preparations as early as possible by developing their project ideas, forming partnerships with relevant stakeholders and identifying complementary financial support. Transnational projects are particularly welcome as cross border cooperation is essential to guarantee EU climate objectives.
The deadline for applications is 16 October 2014. The next call for LIFE proposals will target operating grants for non-profit organisations active at European level in climate and environmental issues and will be launched this autumn.
LIFE is an EU funding programme that has been running since 1992 and has co-financed more than 4,000 projects. The EU LIFE Programme for Environment and Climate Action 2014-2020 is divided into two programming periods: 2014-2017 and 2018-2020. For the first period, a budget of €449.2 million is allocated to climate action, of which €44.26 million is available under the 2014 call for proposals.
The funding constitutes part of the support for climate activities under the 2014-2020 EU budget. LIFE Climate Action will also have the opportunity to fund more projects by leveraging private finance through loans and guarantees via local banks.
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