EC Allocates EUR 282.6M for Environment, Climate Projects

File photo.

The European Commission has approved funding for 225 new projects under the LIFE+ program, the European Union's environment fund, Wednesday.

The projects selected were submitted by beneficiaries in all 28 Member States and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, climate change, environmental policy and information and communication on environmental issues across the EU. Overall, they represent a total investment of some EUR 589.3M, of which the EU will provide EUR 282.6M, the European Commission informed.

Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said: "In the final year of the current programing period, the LIFE+ program once again demonstrates its ability to deliver essential financial support for environmental and nature conservation projects with significant added value for the EU. These latest projects will make a vital contribution to the preservation, conservation and enhancement of Europe's natural capital, as well as helping to achieve sustainable growth through investment in a low carbon and resource efficient economy. The widely acknowledged success of LIFE+ and its projects has ensured the recent adoption of a new LIFE Regulation for Environment and Climate Action, with an increased budget, for the period 2014-2020"

The Commission received 1 468 applications in response to its latest call for proposals, which closed in June 2013. Of these, 225 were selected for co-funding through the program's three components for nature and biodiversity, environment policy and governance and information and communication.

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