The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.

The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value.

LIFE began in 1992 and has to date co-financed more than 4,600 projects. Until 2013, LIFE had contributed approximately €3.1 billion to the protection of the environment. During the current 2014-2020 funding period the programme will contribute approximately €3.4 billion more.

The LIFE programme is divided into two sub-programmes, one for environment (representing 75% of the overall financial envelope) and one for climate action (representing 25% of the envelope).

The European Commission manages the LIFE programme through its services Directorate-General for Environment and Directorate-General for Climate Action, and its Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME).