The EU LIFE Programme in the next Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF)

LIFE plays a unique role in the MFF. Its bottom‐up approach brings together stakeholders and authorities in the regions and it has been successful in involving a highly diverse group of people and organisations in nature conservation activities and environmental protection. The European Commission’s mid‐term evaluation of the LIFE programme for the 2014‐2020 funding period confirmed the LIFE programme is delivering in line with set targets. There is evidence of a positive cost‐benefit ratio when comparing funding to societal gains and LIFE appears to cost less to manage than the other EU funded programmes. It is estimated that projects funded in the 2014 call for proposals will produce a benefit to society of approximately €1.7 billion, more than four times the overall LIFE budget for 2014.