Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value. After 22 years, €3.4 billion and 4.170 projects, the LIFE Programme continues to finance actions for the environment and climate action.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
LIFE operating grants support non-profit organisations, NGOs and networks working in environment, climate action and clean energy transition, with the aim of strengthening their participation in EU policy dialogue and supporting the implementation and enforcement of EU environmental and climate legislation. The grants target organisations contributing to the objectives of the LIFE sub-programmes on Circular Economy and Quality of Life, Nature and Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Clean Energy Transition. They are awarded through a competitive and transparent process to help these organisations strengthen their capacity, improve their effectiveness and contribute more actively to EU policy objectives.
Detailed Call Description
Operating grants provide general financial support to the successful organisations. They do not support a specific project (like action grants), but the annual operating budget (or part of it) of the organisation. Operating grants follow the same rules for the grant agreements as action grants, but do not differentiate between direct and indirect costs. Operating grants are always mono-beneficiary grants supporting the annual activities of an organisation. Receiving an operating grant may have an impact on the possibility to receive the indirect costs flat-rate in an EU action grant (see EU Grants AGA — Annotated Grant Agreement, art. 6.2.E).
In accordance with the LIFE Regulation, LIFE operating grant agreements are designed to support non-profit entities engaged across the full cycle of Union law and policy, from development through to implementation and enforcement, with particular emphasis on effective implementation and monitoring – reflecting the needs arising from the European Green Deal and the Fit-for-55 legislative package.
Their work programme must not include, as part of the description of activities, specific and detailed activities targeting directly Union institutions, specific staff or members of the institution.
The choice of engaging with Union institutions or some of their members or staff, and presenting specific positions, including examining and explaining the impact of a given policy or policy proposal, rests with SGA beneficiaries18. Beneficiaries remain fully and solely responsible for their own opinions, views, and actions carried out through their work programme.
Any communication or dissemination activity related to the beneficiaries’ work programme must use factually accurate information.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
70%
Thematic Categories
- Energy
- Environment and Climate Change
Eligibility for Participation
- Associations
- Legal Entities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
Eligibility For Participation Notes
The eligibility of applicants is assessed during the Framework Partnership Agreement evaluation (Call LIFE-2026-NGO-OG-FPA).
EU restrictive measures: Special rules apply for entities subject to EU restrictive measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)20. Such entities are not eligible to participate in any capacity, including as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, subcontractors or recipients of financial support to third parties (if any).
Measures for the protection of the Union budget against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary: Following the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506, as of 16 December 2022, no legal commitments can be entered into with Hungarian public interest trusts established under the Hungarian Act IX of 2021 or any entity they maintain. Affected entities may continue to apply to calls for proposals. However, as long as the Council measures are not lifted, such entities are not eligible to participate in any funded role (beneficiaries, affiliated entities, subcontractors, recipients of financial support to third parties, etc). In case of multi-beneficiary grant calls, applicants will be invited to remove or replace that entity and/or to change its status into associated partner. Tasks and budget may be redistributed accordingly.
For more information, see Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Department of Environment
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
www.lifecyclamen.com.cy
Persons to Contact
Marilena Papastavrou
Environment Officer, National Contact Point for Environment
Telephone: +357 22 408 926
Email: mpapastavrou@environment.moa.gov.cy
Chrystalla Papastavrou
Environment Officer, National Contact Point for Climate
Telephone: +357 22 408 962
Email: cpapastavrou@environment.moa.gov.cy