The European Commission has launched its 2020 call for project proposals under the LIFE programme. This year, we have earmarked more than €450 million for nature conservation, environmental protection and climate action projects. Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, EASME has also introduced a number of measures to make it easier for you to apply under these exceptional circumstances.
COVID-19 pandemic: new measures
“We understand that during these times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be a challenge for many applicants to participate in this year’s LIFE call for proposals. That is why we have taken a number of measures to make it easier for you to apply,” explains Angelo Salsi, who is head of the LIFE unit at EASME.
“I encourage all applicants – businesses, both big and small, institutions and NGOs – to look at their project idea and identify any element that could potentially improve our collective ability to avoid or to deal with a similar future crisis. There are undoubtedly strong links between our environment and climate, and human health that we should explore.”
New measures that EASME has already introduced to lessen the impact of restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic include:
- All submission deadlines are being extended by one month.
- Private entities are no longer obliged to launch open tenders for contracts above 135 000 euros.
- Projects can financially support small, local initiatives.
- A special section on start-up companies has been integrated into the guidelines.
Additional measures are currently being considered. Read the LIFE programme’s measures relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and visit our website regularly to stay up-to-date.