LIFE: sustaining the ocean that sustains us - CINEA - European Union

Enriched Impact Investor · Found: 2026-03-11 08:12

For NGOs For Researchers Government Multilateral Grant Technical Assistance Biodiversity Blue Economy Circular Economy Climate Fisheries Marine Conservation
The European Ocean Pact aims to protect our oceans, boost the blue economy and support coastal and island communities.

Source: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/life-sustaining-ocean-sustains-us-2025-09-11_en

Funding Details

Funder
European Commission - CINEA (LIFE Programme)
Funding Goal
The LIFE Programme is the EU's dedicated funding instrument for environmental and climate action. It funds projects across nature and biodiversity conservation, circular economy and quality of life, climate change mitigation/adaptation, and clean energy transition. The news article specifically highlights LIFE-funded ocean conservation projects aligned with the European Ocean Pact.
Funding Amount
Varies by project type. Standard Action Projects typically range from €500K to €5M. Strategic Integrated Projects can receive up to €10M+. Featured ocean projects ranged from €2.3M (REEForest LIFE) to €4.9M (LIFE DELFI). Total LIFE programme budget is approximately €5.4 billion for 2021-2027. (500.000 € – 10.000.000 €)
How to Apply
Proposals are submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal during annual open call periods. The process typically involves: 1) Check eligibility under one of four LIFE sub-programmes, 2) Form a consortium (multi-country preferred for strategic projects), 3) Submit concept note or full proposal during the open call window (usually September-November), 4) Two-stage evaluation for Strategic Projects (concept note then full proposal), 5) Single-stage evaluation for Standard Action Projects. Info days are held annually (typically April-May) to explain the calls.
Target Region
European Union
Contact
CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency. Contact via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal helpdesk or CINEA website contact forms.
Last Checked
2026-03-11 21:45

Application Checklist

Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints

Summary

The LIFE Programme is the European Union's primary funding instrument for environment and climate action, managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). It has supported over 6,000 projects across Europe since its inception, making a significant impact at local and EU-wide levels. The programme operates under four sub-programmes: Nature and Biodiversity, Circular Economy and Quality of Life, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Clean Energy Transition. The specific news article highlights how LIFE supports ocean conservation through projects like REEForest LIFE (€2.3 million for seaweed forest restoration in Italy and Greece) and LIFE DELFI (€4.9 million for reducing dolphin by-catch in Italy). These projects are framed within the European Ocean Pact, launched in June 2025, which aims to protect oceans, boost the blue economy, and support coastal communities. The oceans contribute €250 billion annually to the EU economy and employ 5 million people. LIFE offers several funding types: Standard Action Project grants, Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs), Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs), operating grants for NGOs, technical assistance grants, and close-to-market support for cleantech SMEs. The programme issues annual calls for proposals, typically with deadlines in September-November. Eligible applicants include public and private entities registered in EU Member States and associated countries. The programme runs under the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework with a total budget of approximately €5.4 billion.

Historical Context

The LIFE programme has been running since 1992, making it one of the EU's longest-standing funding instruments. It has supported over 6,000 projects. The current programming period is 2021-2027 with approximately €5.4 billion in total budget. Annual calls for proposals are issued each year. The 2023 call results were announced in October 2024 (SAPs) and April 2025 (SIPs/SNAPs). The European Ocean Pact was launched in June 2025.

Sources

Similar Programs

ProgramSourceShared Tags
Funding opportunities - BlueActionBANOS
For Communities / Cooperatives For NGOs For Researchers Government Multilateral Grant Technical Assistance Baltic Sea North Sea Biodiversity Blue Economy Circular Economy Climate Coastal Protection Marine Conservation Pollution
Nordic 11
Call for proposals to support the development of Transition Agendas ...
For NGOs For Researchers For Startups Government Multilateral Grant Baltic Sea Nordic / Denmark North Sea Aquaculture Biodiversity Blue Economy Circular Economy Climate Coastal Protection Fisheries Marine Conservation Plastic Waste Pollution
Nordic 11
Programmes supporting 'Climate, Environment & Maritime'
For NGOs For Researchers Government Grant Loan / Concessional Finance Technical Assistance Global Aquaculture Biodiversity Blue Economy Capacity Building Circular Economy Climate Coastal Protection Fisheries Marine Conservation Pollution Research
Impact Investor 11
Horizon Europe Mission - Restore our Ocean and Waters 2026
For NGOs For Researchers Government Multilateral Grant Technical Assistance Arctic Baltic Sea Mediterranean North Sea Biodiversity Blue Economy Circular Economy Climate Coastal Protection Marine Conservation Pollution Research
EU 11
Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2021-2027
For Communities / Cooperatives For NGOs For Researchers Government Multilateral Grant Baltic Sea Biodiversity Blue Economy Capacity Building Circular Economy Climate Fisheries Marine Conservation Plastic Waste Pollution Research
EU 11

← Back to list