LIFE Programme 2025-2027 Multi-Annual Work Programme (Official Document)

Enriched EU · Found: 2026-03-11 10:41

Official Commission document C(2025)955 establishing the LIFE Programme Multi-Annual Work Programme 2025-2027. Details funding allocations, priority topics, and call schedules for circular economy and waste management including plastics recycling, resource recovery from waste, circular value chains, and Digital Product Passport implementation.

Source: https://lifeslovenija.si/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/C_2025_955_Multi-Annual-Work-Programme.pdf

Funding Details

Funder

European Commission / CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency)

Funding Goal

To contribute to the shift towards a sustainable, circular, energy-efficient, renewable energy-based, climate-neutral and resilient economy by protecting, restoring and improving the quality of the environment, halting biodiversity loss, and supporting the European Green Deal through four sub-programmes covering Nature and Biodiversity, Circular Economy and Quality of Life, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Clean Energy Transition.

Funding Amount

Total programme budget EUR 2,335.7M across 2025–2027. Operating grants capped at EUR 700,000 per organisation per financial year (max 70% co-financing). SAPs typically no stated cap; SIPs advised to not exceed EUR 12M per project. CSAs funded at up to 95%. TA-PP grants capped at EUR 70,000 per project. Co-financing rate for SAPs is max 60% (75% for priority nature habitats/species). (up to 700.000 €)

Deadline

Annual calls throughout 2025, 2026, and 2027 (Rolling)

How to Apply

One-stage procedure for SAPs, Technical Assistance Projects, and Other Actions (CSAs, PLP, Other Projects): full proposal submitted following call publication, checked for admissibility and eligibility, then evaluated on four award criteria. Two-stage procedure for Strategic Projects (SNAPs and SIPs): concept note submitted first; successful applicants invited to submit full proposals with Q&A support from CINEA. Operating grants awarded via framework partnership agreements (multi-annual, up to 4 years) plus annual Specific Grant Agreements, or single annual grants. Applications submitted through CINEA; calls published on CINEA website and EU Funding and Tenders Portal.

Target Region

EU Member States and countries formally associated to the LIFE Programme; third-country participation allowed only where necessary for achieving EU objectives

Contact

CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency) — implementing agency. CINEA website: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life/. No specific contact person or email provided in the document.

Last Checked

2026-03-11 16:58

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a legal entity established in an EU Member State or a country formally associated to the LIFE Programme
• For operating grants: applicant must be a non-profit entity primarily active in environment, climate action, or energy transition

Project Scope

• Project must address the specific priorities of the targeted LIFE sub-programme and the relevant annual call for proposals topic
• For Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs): an officially approved national or regional plan (e.g. Circular Economy Action Plan or Waste Management Plan) with specific measurable targets and timelines must exist and be the subject of implementation

Required Documents

• Full proposal must include work plan, budget justification, stakeholder engagement plan, monitoring and reporting plan, and dissemination strategy; use of environmental footprint methods (PEF/OEF or EMAS) is an asset
• For two-stage Strategic Projects: concept note must be submitted and pass evaluation before full proposal invitation; full proposal must demonstrate complementary funding mobilisation from at least one other Union, national, or private source

Constraints

• Co-financing must be secured: LIFE typically covers a maximum 60% of total eligible costs for SAPs (up to 95% for CSAs and Other Actions)
• Operating grants for non-profit NGOs capped at EUR 700,000 per organisation per financial year

Summary

The LIFE Programme 2025-2027 Multi-Annual Work Programme (Commission Decision C(2025)955) is the European Union's primary dedicated funding instrument for environment and climate action, with a total budget of EUR 2,335.7 million. It is structured into four sub-programmes: Nature and Biodiversity (EUR 977.2M), Circular Economy and Quality of Life (EUR 568.5M), Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (EUR 376.7M), and Clean Energy Transition (EUR 413.3M). The programme is implemented directly by the European Commission and by CINEA, covering the period 2025–2027 with annual call cycles throughout. The programme supports multiple project types tailored to different ambitions and scales. Standard Action Projects (SAPs, EUR 965.9M total) follow a traditional bottom-up approach for demonstrating and upscaling innovative solutions. Strategic Nature Projects (SNAPs) and Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) target large-scale national/regional implementation of official plans. Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs, EUR 268.3M) fund capacity building and awareness-raising at up to 95% co-financing. Operating grants (EUR 56.3M) support eligible non-profit organisations actively engaged in EU environment or climate policy, capped at EUR 700,000 per organisation per year at up to 70% co-financing. The Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme specifically targets waste prevention, recycling, resource recovery (including critical raw materials), sustainable use of biomass, pollution reduction, and circular value chains aligned with the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. The Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme covers marine ecosystems restoration, Natura 2000 implementation, coastal management, biodiversity protection, and nature restoration under the EU Nature Restoration Law. Both sub-programmes are directly relevant to marine conservation and plastic-to-circular economy value chains within the EU. Eligibility is primarily limited to legal entities established in EU Member States or countries formally associated to the LIFE Programme. Third-country participation is possible only in exceptional cases where necessary to achieve the action objectives. Calls for SAPs, SIPs, SNAPs, CSAs, operating grants, and PLP projects are launched annually, with co-financing rates ranging from 60% for most action grants to 75% for priority nature projects and 95% for CSAs. Proposals are evaluated on relevance, quality, impact, resources, and in some cases complementary funding mobilisation.

Historical Context

The LIFE Programme has operated since 1992 and has been a key instrument for the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network. The 2025–2027 MAWP replaces the previous MAWP 2021–2024 (Commission Decision C(2021)4997) and incorporates lessons learned from that period. The programme builds on Regulation (EU) 2021/783 establishing LIFE and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1293/2013. The current MAWP introduces some adjustments to improve programme functioning based on implementation experience from 2021–2024.

Why it was added

LIFE programme circular economy / waste / resource efficiency

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