Strategic Integrated Projects - Environment

The Strategic Integrated Projects - Environment LIFE-2026 call under the LIFE Programme funds large-scale, phased projects to implement national or regional environmental plans and strategies in areas such as circular economy, waste management, water, air quality and noise. The call has an indicative envelope of €58,000,000 with individual project budgets of €10–€30 million, a maximum LIFE contribution of 60% of eligible costs and a required minimum of 40% co‑financing, and expected durations of 60–120 months. Submission is two-stage with a concept note deadline of 3 September 2026 (17:00 CET) and a full proposal deadline for invited applicants of 4 March 2027 (17:00 CET), and applications must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in EU Member States, EEA or associated countries, consortia must include at least two beneficiaries and the authority responsible for the targeted plan is expected to participate, and complementary funding mobilisation must be evidenced at full proposal stage.

What it funds

Large, multi‑phase strategic projects (SIPs) that catalyse full implementation of national or regional environmental plans and strategies in the areas of circular economy, waste, water (RBMPs, flood, marine, drought), air quality/NAPCPs and noise action plans. Projects should combine direct LIFE‑funded measures with a mobilisation and coordination mechanism to bring additional EU, national or private complementary funding.

Typical project size:Indicative project budgets usually range €10–€30 million; topic envelope for SIP Environment for 2026 is €58,000,000. Funding rate up to 60% of eligible costs ¹.

Who can apply

Public or private legal entities established in EU Member States, overseas countries and territories linked to the EU, countries associated to LIFE, or international organisations. Coordinator should in principle be the authority responsible for implementing the targeted plan/strategy; consortia must actively involve key stakeholders and mobilise complementary funding sources.

1. 1Eligible plans/strategies: National/regional Circular Economy plans, Waste Management Plans/Waste Prevention Programmes, River Basin Management and Flood Risk Plans, Marine Strategies, Drought Management Plans, Air Quality Plans/NAPCPs, Noise action plans.
2. 2Consortium: minimum two beneficiaries; authority responsible for the plan should participate (preferably as coordinator).
3. 3Project structure: revolving phased implementation (recommended phases ~3 years each) to ensure adaptive programming and long‑term mobilisation of complementary funds.

Apply through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Read the Call Document and templates carefully (application forms, implementation overview, complementary funding plan and declarations are mandatory). For guidance and partner search use the LIFE programme pages and National Contact Points; portal submission opens 21 April 2026.

Further details, full eligibility rules, admissibility and administrative requirements are in the Call Document and annexes available on the topic page of the Portal Call Document and templates. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1See Call Document (topic page) for confirmation of budget lines, funding rate and applicant eligibility; application is via the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Call identifiers, deadlines and budget

Call title:Strategic Nature and Integrated Projects (SNAP/SIP). Topic: Strategic Integrated Projects - Environment LIFE-2026. Programme: Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE). Type of action: LIFE Project Grants (LIFE-PJG). Type of grant model: LIFE Action Grant Budget-Based (LIFE-AG). Call model: two-stage (concept note then full proposal). Planned opening date: 21 April 2026. Deadlines (Brussels time): concept note 03 September 2026, full proposal 04 March 2027. Indicative contribution available for this topic: €58,000,000 for 2026. Indicative project budget range: €10-€30 million; indicative number of projects: 3–4. Expected project duration: 60–120 months.

Objective, scope and expected impact

Objective:Support full implementation of officially approved national or regional plans and strategies in the Environment thematic area. Eligible plan/strategy types for this topic include: Circular economy action plans/strategies/roadmaps (national/regional) aligned with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and, where relevant, the Bioeconomy Strategy; Waste Management Plans (Article 28 of Waste Framework Directive) and Waste Prevention Programmes (Article 29); Water-related plans including River Basin Management Plans (WFD Annex VII), Flood Risk Management Plans (Floods Directive), Marine Strategies (Marine Strategy Framework Directive), and Drought Management Plans; Air quality plans (Ambient Air Quality Directive) and National Air Pollution Control Programmes (NECD/NERCD); Noise action plans (Environmental Noise Directive).

Scope:SIPs should aim at the full implementation of the targeted plan/strategy. SIPs must include a strategic set of actions funded by LIFE and actively mobilise and coordinate complementary funding sources (EU, national, private) for complementary measures outside the LIFE SIP itself, giving preference to EU funding, but no LIFE SIP co-financing may come from other EU funding within the SIP. SIPs must actively involve the main stakeholders needed for implementation (ideally as associated beneficiaries or through structured participation). SIPs are implemented using a revolving programming mechanism structured in phases (Phase 1, Phase 2, ...) with recommended phase duration of around 3 years (shorter only if justified). SIPs must build lasting capacities among competent authorities and stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability and co-delivery after project end. SIPs are expected to catalyse commitments and funding that lead in due time to full implementation of the plan/strategy.

Expected impact:By project end: substantial contribution to implementation of targeted plan/strategy and mechanisms established to ensure full implementation. After project (3–5 years): catalysed full implementation of the plan/strategy. Applicants must define, calculate and justify expected impacts according to the Award criterion Impact in the call document Call document ¹.

Who can apply and consortium requirement

Eligible applicants:legal entities (public or private) established in eligible countries: EU Member States (including OCTs), countries associated to the LIFE Programme and listed EEA participating countries. Natural persons (except self-employed sole traders where applicable) are not eligible. International organisations may participate. Entities from third countries not associated to LIFE may exceptionally participate only if necessary to achieve the action objectives and ensure effectiveness; in such cases their participation is normally unfunded and they must bear participation costs. The coordinator must be established in an eligible country. The authority responsible for implementation of the targeted plan/strategy should, in principle, participate in the consortium and normally act as coordinator; where justified it may be a beneficiary or associated partner but its involvement must be demonstrated in stage 1.

Consortium requirement:minimum two beneficiaries (not affiliated entities). SIPs are typically coordinated by the competent authority responsible for plan implementation and must include the main stakeholders needed for full implementation (public authorities, managing authorities, regional/local administrations, utilities, private sector or investors where relevant, NGOs, civil society). Associated beneficiaries, affiliated entities, subcontractors and financial support to third parties are permitted under the rules set out in the call document and model grant agreement. Joint proposals across regions or Member States are allowed where justified (e.g. transboundary river basins, shared marine regions).

Eligible applicant types and beneficiary profiles

1. 1Public authorities / competent authorities responsible for the plan or strategy implementation (recommended as coordinator)
2. 2Regional and local administrations
3. 3Public utilities and service providers (water, waste, transport, energy, waste management companies)
4. 4SMEs (including circular economy actors, technology providers, service providers)
5. 5Large enterprises (where relevant and allowed by eligibility rules)
6. 6Research organisations, universities and training bodies
7. 7Non-profit organisations, NGOs and civil society organisations
8. 8Public-private partnerships and investment bodies (for mobilisation of complementary funding)
9. 9International organisations (where applicable)
10. 10Sole traders / self-employed persons where the national rules allow and if declared in line with templates

Funding type, rates and financial arrangements

Funding type:EU grant — action grant (budget-based, mixed actual cost model). Funding rate: maximum 60% of eligible costs for Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs). Beneficiaries must provide at least 40% co-financing of eligible costs. Within the SIP itself, co-funding must not come from other EU funding sources. Complementary actions outside the SIP are expected to be financed by other sources (EU, national, private) and the SIP must actively mobilise and coordinate those funds; complementary EU funds may be used to finance complementary measures and are expected to be mobilised and evidenced by letters of intent / declarations by competent authorities at full proposal stage.

Funding overview and project size:This topic indicative contribution: €58,000,000 (2026). Indicative project budget range per SIP: €10–€30 million. Indicative number of SIPs to be funded: 3–4. Expected project duration: 60–120 months. Applicants should propose budgets consistent with the scale and complexity of the plan/strategy targeted and with the requirement to mobilise complementary funding.

Eligible costs, budget categories and templates

Eligible costs and contributions are defined in the LIFE Model Grant Agreement. Main budget categories: A Personnel costs (A.1 employees, A.2 natural persons under direct contract, A.3 seconded persons, A.4 SME owners/natural person beneficiaries unit cost, A.5 volunteers unit cost); B Subcontracting costs; C Purchase costs including C.1 travel & subsistence, C.2 equipment (depreciation or full cost where allowed), C.3 other goods/works/services; D Other costs including D.1 financial support to third parties (if authorised by the call) and D.2 land purchase (subject to strict eligibility conditions); E Indirect costs (flat rate, typically 7% unless call specifies otherwise). Costs must be actually incurred in the action period and meet general eligibility rules. See Annex 2 detailed budget template and Annex 2a for unit-cost calculations.

Mandatory templates and annexes to submit:At concept note (stage 1): Application Form Part A (online), Application Form Part B (concept template limited to 45 pages), Implementation overview for the plan/strategy/action plan (mandatory annex), Complementary funding plan (mandatory annex), Targeted plan/strategy/action plan (or draft) as an annex. At full proposal (stage 2): detailed budget table (mandatory Excel template), participant information (annex), implementation overview annex, complementary funding plan, complementary funding declaration(s) signed by managing/competent authorities (at least one letter of intent confirming availability/commitment of complementary funds) and other supporting annexes (maps, descriptions). Use the specific standard templates available in the Submission System and do not replace templates with different formats. Follow page, font and layout admissibility constraints set out in the call document and Part B instructions.

Evaluation, award criteria and procedure

Two-stage evaluation:concept note (stage 1) and invited full proposal (stage 2). Admissibility and eligibility checks are performed. Evaluation award criteria and scoring thresholds are described in the Call Document (section 9). Applicants must address award criteria in the Application Form Part B and provide quantified LIFE Project Indicators (LPIs) in Part C at full proposal stage. Concept notes should include core elements: targeted plan/strategy, geographic scope, summary of SIP design, partnership and evidence of stakeholder involvement and preliminary complementary funding plan. Only invited full proposals will be admissible at stage 2.

1. 1Admissibility: submission before deadline, use of correct templates, page limits and required annexes.
2. 2Eligibility: participants established in eligible countries, minimum two beneficiaries.
3. 3Financial and operational capacity checks: performed as indicated in Call Document and Participant Register validation rules.
4. 4Evaluation: criteria include Excellence/Relevance, Impact (including mobilisation of complementary funds, catalytic potential), Quality and Efficiency of implementation (resources, management, procurement), EU added value and sustainability.

Key implementation features and requirements

Stakeholder involvement:SIPs must actively involve all main stakeholders necessary for plan/strategy implementation (design and implementation phases). Stakeholders should be included as associated beneficiaries where reasonable, or involved through formal participation or partnership arrangements. Capacity building: projects must prepare and deliver a capacity building plan and training programs to ensure that stakeholders and competent authorities can manage complementary funding and continue implementation after project end. After-LIFE plan: mandatory deliverable setting roadmap and funding envisaged to bring the targeted plan/strategy to full implementation. Platform meetings and dissemination: projects are encouraged to organise and participate in LIFE platform meetings and to disseminate results via EU platforms. Maps and GIS: where relevant upload GIS data as a final report deliverable. Land purchase: strictly limited and subject to detailed conditions (long-term assignment to conservation, market price evidence, not previously publicly owned within 24 months, legal guarantees, evidence of necessity).

Complementary funding mobilisation and declarations

A fundamental characteristic of SIPs is active mobilisation and coordination of complementary funds (EU, national, private, international) for complementary measures outside the LIFE SIP. Complementary funding is considered mobilised if it: was not granted to a beneficiary before the start of the call (no funding spent or granted before the call launch date unless justified; funds granted or spent before LIFE 2025 call (24/04/2025) are excluded), and has been committed/confirmed by the funding source at full proposal stage with a formal Complementary Funding Declaration signed by the competent managing authority, or, if not yet committed, a formal letter of intent confirming potential eligibility and timing/likelihood of future commitment. At least one signed Complementary Funding Declaration confirming availability/commitment must be provided with the full proposal to be admissible. SIP proposals must explain the SIP active role (mobiliser or coordinator) and the mechanism for coordination with complementary funds. Complementary actions must implement the same targeted strategy/plan and be clearly described in the complementary funding plan annex.

Admissibility, submission and support

Proposals must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. Paper submissions are not accepted. Use the templates provided in the Submission System (not those on the topic page for information). Part A is filled in online, Part B must be prepared in the correct PDF template, and Part C (indicators) is completed online at full proposal stage. Follow portal guidance, page and formatting limits: 45 pages for Part B at concept note stage and 200 pages for Part B at full proposal stage, minimum font Arial 10, A4 pages and margins. The Portal Online Manual and helpdesk support are available; National Contact Points (NCPs) can provide support and guidance. Partner search announcements can be posted in the Portal.

Selection and award timing (indicative)

1. 1Call opening: 21 April 2026
2. 2Concept note deadline: 03 September 2026 (17:00 Brussels time)
3. 3Information on concept note evaluation results: November 2026 (indicative)
4. 4Consultation / Q&A phase: January–March 2027 (indicative)
5. 5Full proposal deadline: 04 March 2027 (17:00 Brussels time)
6. 6Information on full proposal evaluation results: June 2027 (indicative)
7. 7Grant agreement signature: November 2027 (indicative)

Application forms structure and templates

Application Form consists of Part A (administrative) filled online and Part B (technical description) uploaded as PDF using the LIFE SIP and SNAP template. Part C (project indicators and LPIs) is completed online at full proposal stage. Mandatory annexes include detailed budget table (Excel), participant information, implementation overview for the plan/strategy/action plan, complementary funding plan and complementary funding declaration(s). Special templates available: Participant Information form, Complementary Funding Plan template, Complementary Funding Declaration template, Detailed Budget Table template, Implementation overview template, Maps and Description of Sites templates. Exact templates and named files are provided in the Submission System and Portal Reference Documents. Do not modify templates; non-compliance may render a proposal inadmissible.

Admissibility and eligibility key checks

1. 1Correct use of templates and Part B page limits (45 pages concept note / 200 pages full proposal)
2. 2All mandatory annexes uploaded at each stage
3. 3Minimum consortium composition (2 beneficiaries) and coordinator in eligible country
4. 4Coordinator mandate from the authority responsible for the targeted plan/strategy (where applicable)
5. 5Complementary funding evidence requirements at full proposal: at least one signed Complementary Funding Declaration or strong justification for timing of commitments
6. 6Legal entity validation via Participant Register and LEAR appointment as required

Evaluation guidance highlights

Proposals are evaluated against award criteria described in the Call Document (Quality, Impact, Implementation etc.). For Impact, applicants must quantify expected impacts and provide relevant LIFE Project Indicators (LPIs) in Part C at full proposal stage. Where Part C lacks specific LPIs needed (for example NOx reductions), applicants must use the 'Other project specific LPIs' indicator and describe them in Part B. The submission must include an After-LIFE plan, capacity building plan, and evidence of mobilisation/coordination mechanisms for complementary funds. Projects that demonstrate credible mobilisation of complementary funds, strong stakeholder commitment, measurable and attributable impacts on plan implementation and clear replicability/transferability will be favourably evaluated.

Co-funding, ineligible sources and double funding rules

SIP co-financing by beneficiaries (minimum 40%) is required and may include national, regional, international or private funds. Within the SIP, co-funding may not come from other EU funding sources. Complementary measures outside the LIFE SIP can be funded by other EU sources and in fact should be mobilised; however, those complementary EU funds cannot be used as LIFE SIP co-funding inside the SIP. Double funding of the same cost by two EU grants is prohibited. Applicants must ensure that actions proposed for LIFE are not already or more appropriately funded through other EU funds.

Project stage and maturity expectations

Project stage:SIPs target implementation and large-scale deployment/demonstration and are therefore expected to be at development, validation, demonstration and implementation stages. Projects should be mature enough to show a clear pathway to deliver measurable contributions to the targeted plan/strategy and to mobilise complementary funding and stakeholder commitments. SIPs should include pilot or demonstrator actions where appropriate but mainly focus on systemic implementation and capacity building at regional/national/multi-regional scale.

Success rates, stages and application type

Application type:open two-stage call (concept note then full proposal). Application stages: 2 (concept note, then full proposal for invited applicants). Success rates: not published by topic; indicative number of grants and budgets are given (see Call Document). Actual success rates depend on quality and number of proposals received; historically selection for Strategic Integrated Projects is competitive. Applicants invited to full proposal stage have higher probability but must pass full evaluation thresholds on award criteria. No fixed published overall success rate is provided in the call documentation.

Success factors and recommendations

1. 1Ensure the coordinator is the competent authority for the targeted plan/strategy or that this authority is included and fully mandated in the consortium.
2. 2Demonstrate concrete, quantified impacts on the plan/strategy using coherent LPIs and robust calculation/methodologies.
3. 3Provide at full proposal stage at least one signed Complementary Funding Declaration confirming availability or commitment of complementary funding, and an exhaustive complementary funding plan showing mobilisation pathways.
4. 4Design a clear mobilisation and coordination mechanism for complementary funds with roles and governance, and include capacity building and After-LIFE plan to ensure sustainability.
5. 5Include main stakeholders as associated beneficiaries where reasonable, and document stakeholder buy-in with letters of support.
6. 6Follow all template instructions, admissibility rules, page limits and submission procedures in the Funding & Tenders Portal.

Mentioned countries and geographic eligibility

Eligible geographic scope for applicants and project implementation:EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories), countries associated to the LIFE Programme and listed EEA participating countries. The call documentation lists links to association and participation rules. Projects can also implement complementary measures outside eligible countries when necessary for plan effectiveness (e.g. migratory bird wintering areas, transboundary river basins), but entities from non-associated third countries will normally bear their own costs unless the call or special arrangements allow funded participation.

Application support and contact points

Apply via the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. Guidance:Call Document, Application Form templates, Detailed Budget template, Complementary Funding Plan and Declaration templates, LIFE Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual. Support: IT Helpdesk, EU Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, National Contact Points (LIFE NCPs) and CINEA. Partner search: Portal Partner Search and LIFE Info Days networking tools. Information sessions: CINEA organised virtual information sessions and LIFE YouTube channel recordings. Consult FAQs on the CINEA LIFE pages for topic-specific clarifications.

Templates and application structure (outline)

Required structure for the Application Form (Part B) LIFE SIP and SNAP (templates available in Submission System): Cover page and project summary; Section 1 Relevance (background and general objectives, specific objectives, concept and methodology, plan/strategy details, geographic scope); Section 2 Impact (quantified impacts, LPIs, sustainability, exploitation, replication and upscaling); Section 3 Implementation (work plan and work packages, management, stakeholder engagement, impact monitoring, communication and dissemination); Section 4 Resources (consortium setup, project management, green management, budget summary, risk management); Section 5 Complementary funding (detailed complementary measures plan); Section 6 Other (ethics, security where applicable); Section 7 Declarations. Mandatory annexes listed earlier. Part A (administrative forms) and Part C (LPIs) completed in the Portal.

Co-funding and complementary funding templates (practical elements)

1. 1Complementary Funding Plan template: list sources of financing, actions/measures to be financed, amount in EUR, status (granted/to be granted/not yet granted), granting authority/co-financer and timing.
2. 2Complementary Funding Declaration template: to be signed by managing/competent authority confirming that the complementary actions identified are in principle eligible for their financing, amount available, timing and status of commitment and explicit confirmation of support and linkage to the LIFE SIP.
3. 3Implementation Overview for the plan/strategy/action plan template: links SIP actions to plan measures, indicators, targets/deadlines and funding sources; mandatory annex to show coherence and coverage.

Co-funding requirement and in-kind contributions

Co-funding requirement:beneficiaries must co-finance at least 40% of eligible costs. Co-funding can include national, regional, private or international funds (excluding other EU funds within the SIP itself). In-kind contributions from third parties may be used but must be declared and evidenced according to the rules and cannot substitute required financial co-financing where not permitted. Costs or contributions already funded by other EU grants for the same activity are ineligible (double funding).

Summary: What is this opportunity about and how to explain it

This is a targeted LIFE two-stage call topic to fund Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) that implement national or regional environment-related plans and strategies at large scale (circular economy action plans, waste management and prevention plans, water-related river basin/flood/drought/marine strategies, air quality plans and national emission control programmes, noise action plans). The SIP must deliver a coherent programme of actions supported by LIFE funding and must act as a mobilisation and coordination mechanism to catalyse complementary funding and commitments (preferably including other EU funds) to ensure the full implementation of the targeted plan/strategy beyond the SIP’s own interventions. The SIP must demonstrate clear stakeholder involvement, durable capacity building, measurable and attributable impacts (quantified LPIs), and credible replication or transferability potential. Applicants should prepare a concept note (45 pages maximum) following the LIFE SIP template and annex mandatory documents (implementation overview and complementary funding plan). Invited full proposals must provide full financial documentation, signed complementary funding declarations and a detailed implementation and budget plan. The maximum LIFE co-financing rate is 60%; applicants must secure at least 40% co-financing from non-LIFE sources for the SIP itself. Use the Funding & Tenders Portal submission system and consult the Call Document, Application Form templates and Portal Online Manual. National Contact Points and CINEA provide support and FAQs are available online.

Footnotes

1. 1Call Document and full guidance are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page. The Call Document contains full rules on admissibility, eligibility, evaluation, award criteria, legal and financial set-up and annex templates Call Document.

Funding Opportunity Overview

The Strategic Integrated Projects - Environment (SIP ENV) is a major EU funding opportunity under the LIFE Programme designed to support the full implementation of national and regional environmental plans and strategies. This call represents a significant investment in circular economy, waste management, water, air quality, and noise action plans across Europe.

Call Details and Timeline

Call Reference:LIFE-2026

Opening Date:21 April 2026

Submission Deadlines (Two-Stage Process):Stage 1 (Concept Note): 3 September 2026 at 17:00 CET. Stage 2 (Full Proposal): 4 March 2027 at 17:00 CET

Expected Grant Agreement Signature:November 2027

Funding Budget and Project Allocation

Total Call Budget:€58,000,000

Individual Project Budget Range:€10,000,000 to €30,000,000 per project

Expected Number of Projects:3 to 4 projects to be funded

Funding Rate:Maximum 60% of eligible costs. Beneficiaries must provide 40% co-financing from their own resources or other non-EU sources

Project Duration:60 to 120 months (5 to 10 years), typically structured in phases of at least 3 years each

Eligible Thematic Areas

SIP ENV projects must target the implementation of one of the following officially approved plans or strategies:

• Circular Economy: National or Regional Circular Economy Action Plans, Strategies, or Roadmaps aligned with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and Bioeconomy Strategy
• Waste Management: National and regional Waste Management Plans pursuant to Article 28 of the EU Waste Framework Directive and/or Waste Prevention Programmes under Article 29
• Water: River Basin Management Plans, Flood Risk Management Plans, Marine Strategies, or Drought Management Plans
• Air Quality: Air Quality Plans or National Air Pollution Control Programmes
• Noise: Noise action plans for agglomerations, major roads, railways, or airports

Who Can Apply

Eligible Participants:Legal entities (public or private bodies) established in EU Member States, EEA countries, or countries associated with the LIFE Programme. Beneficiaries must register in the Participant Register before submission

Minimum Consortium Size:Minimum 2 beneficiaries (not counting affiliated entities)

Coordinator Requirements:The authority responsible for implementation of the targeted plan or strategy should be the coordinator. In justified cases, it may participate as a partner but must be part of the consortium

Eligible Countries:All EU Member States, EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), and associated countries. Activities may take place in non-eligible countries if necessary to achieve EU environmental objectives

Project Objectives and Expected Impact

SIP ENV projects must support the full implementation of targeted environmental plans and strategies by removing administrative, financial, structural, and other barriers. Projects should demonstrate substantial contribution to plan implementation by project end and catalyse full implementation within 3-5 years after project completion.

Key Expected Outcomes:By project end: at least substantial contribution to implementation of the targeted plan or strategy with mechanisms established to ensure full implementation. After project: catalysing full implementation of the plan or strategy through complementary actions and mobilised funding

Complementary Funding Requirements

A fundamental characteristic of SIP ENV projects is the mandatory mobilisation and coordination of complementary funding from other sources (EU, national, or private) for actions implementing the targeted plan or strategy outside the SIP itself. This is essential for achieving full plan implementation.

Complementary Funding Obligations:Projects must mobilise at least one relevant Union, national, or private funding source other than LIFE. Complementary funding must be committed or confirmed by full proposal submission, evidenced by formal letters of intent from competent authorities. Funds granted or spent before the LIFE 2025 call launch (24 April 2025) are not eligible

Coordination Mechanisms:Projects must establish coordination and working groups with managers of complementary funding sources to ensure effective mobilisation and coordination for long-term plan implementation

Eligible and Ineligible Costs

Eligible costs must be actually incurred, directly connected to the project, necessary for implementation, reasonable, and compliant with sound financial management principles. Costs must be recorded in beneficiary accounts according to applicable accounting standards.

Eligible Cost Categories:Personnel costs (employees, direct contracts, seconded persons, SME owners, volunteers), subcontracting costs, travel and subsistence, equipment (depreciation or full cost for listed items), other goods and services, financial support to third parties, land purchase, and indirect costs at 7% flat rate of eligible direct costs

Ineligible Costs:Volunteer costs and land purchase costs are excluded from indirect cost calculations. Land purchase payments to public bodies are ineligible except for short-term lease or compensation payments to local authorities. Clean-up actions derived from the polluter pays principle are not eligible. Double funding from other EU sources for the same activities is prohibited

Application Process and Requirements

Submission Method:Electronic submission only via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Paper submissions are not accepted

Required Documents - Stage 1 (Concept Note):Application Form Part A (administrative information), Application Form Part B (technical description, maximum 45 pages), targeted plan or strategy (draft version acceptable if final not available), implementation overview for the plan or strategy, and complementary funding plan

Required Documents - Stage 2 (Full Proposal):All Stage 1 documents plus detailed budget table (Excel template), participant information, implementation overview, complementary funding plan, complementary funding declarations (at least one with formal commitment), and optional annexes such as letters of support and maps

Project Acronym:Must include the word LIFE

Page Limits:Stage 1: maximum 45 pages for Part B. Stage 2: maximum 200 pages for Part B. Evaluators will not consider pages exceeding these limits

Evaluation Criteria and Scoring

At Stage 2 (full proposal), proposals are evaluated on five award criteria, each scored out of 20 points. Individual minimum thresholds of 10 points per criterion and an overall threshold of 55 points must be achieved for eligibility.

Award Criteria:Relevance (alignment with LIFE objectives and call scope), Impact (contribution to plan implementation and environmental outcomes), Quality (project design and methodology), Resources (consortium capacity and budget adequacy), and Complementary Funding (mobilisation and coordination of additional funding sources)

Key Project Requirements and Conditions

Targeted Plan Approval:At full proposal stage, the targeted plan or strategy must be officially approved by relevant authorities. If not yet approved, a draft must be submitted with the concept note. Plans with legal obligation to be submitted to the European Commission must be reviewed and considered of acceptable quality

Phased Implementation:Projects should be structured in phases lasting at least 3 years each to reduce administrative burden. First phase must be clearly described; subsequent phases may include fewer details but must demonstrate how project objectives will be achieved

Stakeholder Involvement:Appropriate involvement of all concerned stakeholders is essential. Stakeholders should be involved in both design and implementation, preferably as associated beneficiaries or through active participation. If key stakeholders cannot be involved, dedicated actions to remove barriers to their involvement must be included

Capacity Building:Projects must develop a training programme for relevant stakeholders to build capacity for managing complementary funding and implementing the target plan or strategy. The capacity building plan must include structures to retain knowledge and continue training after project completion

Project Management:Adequate human resources must be allocated for management, coordination, and reporting. Project management may be partially outsourced provided the coordinator retains full day-to-day control. Project manager should have previous experience and ideally be employed full-time

Sustainability and After-LIFE Plan:Mandatory deliverable specifying roadmap, actions, and funding to bring the targeted plan or strategy to full implementation after project completion. Competent authorities must be actively involved in developing and implementing the After-LIFE plan

Replicability and Transferability:Projects should demonstrate potential for replication in other regions or Member States. Success requires active dissemination, engagement with external stakeholders, clear engagement strategy, capacity building strategy, and legacy strategy reaching critical mass during or shortly after project completion

Communication and Dissemination:All funded projects must disseminate and share results on key EU-wide forums and platforms including NetworkNature, European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, Urban Nature Platform, Biodiversa+, Knowledge Center for Biodiversity, Climate-ADAPT, and Covenant of Mayors

Platform Meetings:SIP ENV projects are encouraged to organise platform meetings in coordination with other SIPs on similar topics to exchange experiences, align with policy priorities, and extract common lessons

Financial and Operational Capacity Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient resources to successfully implement projects and contribute their share. Financial capacity checks are normally conducted for coordinators unless they are public bodies or international organisations, or if the requested grant does not exceed €60,000.

Financial Capacity Assessment:Based on neutral financial indicators and other aspects such as EU funding dependency, deficit, and revenue history. If capacity is unsatisfactory, the granting authority may require further information, enhanced financial responsibility, prefinancing guarantees, or propose rejection

Operational Capacity:Applicants must have know-how, qualifications, and resources to successfully implement projects, including sufficient experience in comparable projects. Assessment is conducted together with the Resources award criterion

Grant Agreement and Payment Terms

Grant Form:Budget-based action grant with actual costs, potentially including unit costs, flat-rate costs, lump sums, or financing not linked to costs

Payment Schedule:Initial prefinancing within 30 days of grant agreement entry into force or upon financial guarantee provision (whichever is latest). Interim payments at 90 days from receiving periodic reports. Final payment at 90 days from receiving final periodic report

Reporting Requirements:Continuous reporting via Portal tool. Periodic reports due 60 days after end of reporting period. Key performance indicators must be reported within 9 months of grant signature, at mid-term, and at project end

Certificates on Financial Statements:Required if requested EU contribution to costs is €500,000 or more. Standard threshold applies unless beneficiary is exempted

Record-Keeping:Beneficiaries must keep records and supporting documents for 5 years after final payment (or 3 years for grants not exceeding €60,000)

Exclusion Grounds and Eligibility Restrictions

Entities subject to EU restrictive measures under Articles 29 TEU and 215 TFEU are not eligible to participate in any capacity. Entities subject to EU conditionality measures under Regulation 2020/2092 are not eligible in funded roles. Natural persons are not eligible except self-employed persons (sole traders).

Special Provisions and Additional Information

Land Purchase Eligibility:Land purchase is eligible if clearly related to project objectives, contributes to improving or restoring Natura 2000 network integrity, is the only or most cost-effective way to achieve conservation outcomes, and is reserved long-term for uses consistent with LIFE Regulation Article 3 objectives. Purchased land must be subject to specific restoration, active management, or use restrictions beyond legal obligations. Beneficiary must be well-established private organisation or public body with nature conservation responsibility

Financial Support to Third Parties:Allowed under conditions that calls are open, published widely, and conform to EU standards on transparency, equal treatment, conflict of interest, and confidentiality. Maximum amount per third party is €60,000 unless higher amount is justified and announced in call

Applicable Law and Dispute Settlement:Standard applicable law is EU law plus law of Belgium. EU beneficiaries may appeal to EU General Court and EU Court of Justice. Non-EU beneficiaries may use courts of Brussels, Belgium unless international agreement provides otherwise

Double Funding Prohibition:Strict prohibition of double funding from EU budget. Applicants must confirm that neither the project nor any parts have benefitted from or will be submitted for other EU grants

Support and Guidance Resources

Applicants should consult the following resources for detailed guidance:

• Call Document (full details on objectives, scope, and conditions)
• EU Grants AGA - Annotated Model Grant Agreement (detailed annotations on all grant agreement provisions)
• EU Funding and Tenders Portal Online Manual (step-by-step guidance on submission procedures)
• LIFE Multiannual Work Programme 2024-2027 (programme priorities and objectives)
• LIFE Regulation 2021/783 (legal basis for the programme)
• EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 (financial rules applicable to EU budget)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on LIFE website
• National Contact Points (NCPs) for country-specific support

Key Deadlines Summary

Contact and Further Information

For technical questions regarding submission, contact the IT Helpdesk through the Portal. For substantive questions about the call, consult your National Contact Point (NCP) for the LIFE Programme. Additional information is available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and the LIFE Programme website.

Footnotes

1. 1The LIFE Programme is the EU's dedicated funding instrument for environment and climate action, with a total budget of approximately €5.4 billioneuros for 2021-2027. It supports actions in nature and biodiversity, circular economy and quality of life, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and clean energy transition.
2. 2Strategic Integrated Projects represent an evolution from previous Integrated Projects, designed to catalyse full implementation of large-scale environmental and climate plans through coordinated action, complementary funding mobilisation, and mainstreaming of objectives into other policies and financing instruments.