What is LIFE?

The EU's environment fund LIFE co-finances nature-conservancy and environmental-protection projects. The aim is to urge on the implementation and development of the EU's environmental policy. LIFE consists of three parts: LIFE Environment, LIFE Nature and LIFE Third Country.

LIFE Nature is the name given to that part of the LIFE programme that co-finances projects seeking to preserve species and natural environments that are of common interest within the EU. These species and natural environments are listed in the EU's Birds and Habitats Directives.

Projects that are co-financed through LIFE Nature are also supposed to contribute to drawing up Natura 2000, the network of valuable nature areas being built up within the EU.