Deadline: 5-Sep-2024
The European Commission is inviting applications for the Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) under the topic Strategic Integrated Projects – Environment.
Objectives
- Applicants should target the implementation of one of the following plans/strategies:
- Circular Economy: National or Regional Circular Economy Action Plans, Strategies, Roadmaps or similar, which are officially approved, and which include specific and measurable actions, or targets, with a clear timeline and are in line with or complementing the objectives of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.
- Waste: National and regional Waste Management Plans (WMPs) pursuant to Article 28 of the Waste Framework Directive and/or Waste Prevention Programmes (WPPs) as requested by Article 29 of the Waste Framework Directive.
- Water: River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) pursuant to Annex VII to the Water Framework Directive, Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) pursuant to the Floods Directive or Marine Strategies pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
- Air: Air Quality Plans pursuant to the Air Quality Directive or National Air Pollution Control Programmes (NAPCP) pursuant to the National Emission Ceilings Directive.
Scope
- Circular Economy SIPs:
- These SIPs shall be designed to support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation of National or Regional Circular Economy Action Plans, Strategies, Roadmaps or similar.
- Such Plans or Strategies will be considered as eligible for this SIP topic provided that they:
- are officially approved,
- include specific and measurable actions, or targets, with a clear timeline and
- are in line with or complement the objectives of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan.
- The extent to which each proposal contributes to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in Article 3 of the LIFE Regulation and section 2.2 of the LIFE multiannual work programme 2021-2024 will be evaluated.
- Waste SIPs:
- These SIPs shall be designed to support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation of the WMPs as required by Article 28 of the Waste Framework Directive and/or WPPs as requested by Article 29 of the Waste Framework Directive.
- With the chosen set of actions, the Waste SIP proposals should demonstrate their EU added value with regard to their contribution to the implementation of the waste hierarchy (Article 4 of the Waste Framework Directive), the achievement of the recycling targets as foreseen in Article 11 of the Waste Framework Directive 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 Article 3 of the LIFE Regulation and section 2.2 of the LIFE multiannual work programme 2021-2024 will be evaluated.
- Further to the general objectives of SIPs, 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 SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilised in parallel to the SIP in particular for investments for collection, sorting 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, material recovery, phasing out landfilling, reduction of littering and reduction or adequate treatment of hazardous waste;
- the implementation of the Landfill Directive, Waste Shipment Regulation and specific waste streams directives, like the WEEE Directive, Packaging and Packaging Waste 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, education and awareness-raising actions in support of the above mentioned objectives (including use of novel techniques such as social media, interaction with schools etc.).
- Water SIPs
- The extent to which proposals for Water SIPs contribute to one or several of the general and specific objectives of LIFE as set out in Article 3 of the LIFE Regulation and section 2.2 of the LIFE multiannual work programme 2021-2024 will be evaluated.
- Considerations relevant only to water SIPs targeting river basin management plans (RBMPs):
- These SIPs shall support the targeted implementation of measures that will deliver progress towards achievement of Water Framework Directive good status/potential objectives, in line with RBMP established in Member States pursuant to the Water Framework Directive.
- SIPs 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.
- Further to the general objectives of SIPs, 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 SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilised in parallel to the SIP,
- the impact of the project in terms of addressing significant unaddressed pressures and or improvement towards Water Framework Directive good status/potential objectives,
- how an ecosystems approach will be used to define and implement actions that deliver for Water Framework Directive but also for other EU water policy objectives (MSFD, 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 SIP,
- how the SIP will help delivery of the Water Framework Directive outside the scope of the SIP – transferability of results to other river basins.
- Considerations relevant only to water SIPs targeting Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs):
- These SIPs shall support the targeted implementation of measures identified in the flood risk management plans established in Member States, focused on prevention, protection and preparedness pursuant to the Directive on the assessment and management of flood risks.
- SIPs should aim at the implementation of the whole set of measures identified in the flood risk management plans (FRMP) and ensure adequate involvement all the concerned stakeholders in the process.
- Further to the general objectives of SIPs, the proposals should address the following aspects:
- the expected level of implementation of the target FRMPs as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the SIP;
- the impact of the project in terms of addressing significant flood risks; and
- how the SIP will help delivery of the Floods Directive outside the scope of the SIP – transferability of results especially in terms of the coordination of flood risk management practices with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive, but also coordination in transboundary river basins, including with third countries.
- Considerations relevant only to water SIPs targeting Marine Strategies:
- These SIPs shall support the targeted implementation of measures or actions that need to be taken in order to achieve or maintain good environmental status in the marine waters of each Member State. These measures or actions should be identified within the Member States’ Marine Strategies that have been established pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. This is in line with the EU mission ‘Restore the Ocean and Waters” that aims to protect and restore the health of ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and blue investments.
- The SIPs should aim at the implementation of the whole set of measures/actions in Marine Strategy of the Member State, ensuring adequate involvement of all the concerned stakeholders in the process, as well as, if needed, cooperation with other Member States or international organisations such as the Regional Sea Conventions, sharing the same marine region.
- Further to the general objectives of SIPs, the proposals should address the following aspects:
- the expected level of implementation of the targeted Marine Strategies as direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilized in parallel to the SIP;
- the impact of the project in terms of ensuring good environmental status of marine waters; and
- how the SIP will help the delivery of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive outside the scope of the SIP – transferability of results especially in terms of the coordination of marine measures/actions/practices in shared marine regions, including with third countries.
- Air Quality SIPs
- SIPs falling under the thematic priority area of Air shall be designed to support the application, development, testing and demonstration of integrated approaches for the implementation, monitoring and further development of local and regional Air Quality Plans (AQPs) as defined by Directive 2008/50/EC, or for the implementation, monitoring and further development of National Air Pollution Control Programmes (NAPCP) pursuant to the National Emission reduction Commitment Directive 2016/2284.
- In general, large scale projects will be favoured. Accordingly, if an Air SIP is based on local AQPs, then it should include coordination and cooperation between at least five cities with such plans.
- The proposals should therefore address the following aspects:
- the expected level of implementation and associated air quality improvements of the AQP or NAPCP as a direct consequence of the actions foreseen in the SIP or through the complementary actions financed by other means mobilised in parallel to the SIP (in particular the contribution towards compliance with EU air quality legislation (for AQP-based SIPs, existing limit and target values for ambient air quality and, where possible, levels recommended by the WHO, and for NAPCPbased SIPs the National Emission reduction Commitments;
- the attention given to the chain of actions required to implement, evaluate and further develop an AQP or NAPCP: 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.
Funding Information
- EUR 50 million
- Indicative range of project budgets: EUR 10-30 million
Expected Impact of SIPs
- By the end of the project: at least substantial contribution to the implementation of the targeted plan/strategy/action plan, and mechanisms established to ensure full implementation of the plan/strategy/action plan.
- After the project (3-5 years after): catalysing full implementation of the targeted plan(s)/strategy(ies)/action plan(s).
Eligibility Criteria
- In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
- be legal entities (public or private bodies)
- be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
- non-EU countries:
- listed EEA countries and countries associated to the LIFE Programme
- the coordinator must be established in an eligible country
For more information, visit EC.