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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Commissioner Roswall's keynote address at the LIFE Awards Brussels, 3 June 2026 Good evening, everyone. It is a real pleasure to be here among so many people who dedicate their talent, expertise and energy to protecting our environment and shaping a more sustainable – and in my view competitive – future for Europe. Tonight, we celebrate the outcomes of the LIFE Pr...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Commissioner Roswall's keynote address at the LIFE Awards Brussels, 3 June 2026 Good evening, everyone. It is a real pleasure to be here among so many people who dedicate their talent, expertise and energy to protecting our environment and shaping a more sustainable – and in my view competitive – future for Europe. Tonight, we celebrate the outcomes of the LIFE Programme. But more than that, we celebrate the people behind them. Because LIFE is not only a funding instrument – it is a community. A community of innovators, scientists, farmers, engineers, local authorities, NGOs and citizens who demonstrate that change is possible, and that Europe can lead the way. Over the past months, I have had the privilege to visit several LIFE projects. And everywhere I went, I saw the same thing: practical solutions delivering real environmental benefits on the ground. I saw wetlands restored to improve water resilience and protect communities from floods and droughts. I saw circular economy projects turning waste into valuable new resources. I met people whose quality of life improved because of cleaner air, healthier nature and greener cities. What impressed me most was not the innovation itself – impressive as it was. It was the people behind it. The determination. The pride in their voices as they showed what they had built. The resolve to push forward, even when the challenges ahead seemed difficult. That is the spirit of LIFE. Since 1992, the LIFE programme has supported thousands of projects across Europe and beyond, mobilising billions of euros. It has helped turn local ideas into European success stories. It has connected policy with action, innovation with implementation, and ambition with results. Many solutions that are now part of mainstream European environmental policy started as LIFE projects. That is something Europe can be proud of. And today, this work matters more than ever. We are living through a time of growing pressure on our environment and climate. Biodiversity loss, pollution, water scarcity and extreme weather events are affecting communities across Europe. These are not distant challenges anymore. They are part of people's daily lives, their health, their security and their livelihoods. Every euro invested in LIFE is an investment in cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, stronger resilience and a more competitive and innovative Europe. It is an investment in solutions that improve people's lives while helping us prepare for the future. The projects we honour tonight are living proof of what LIFE actions can achieve. They are proof that environmental action and economic opportunity can go hand in hand. They show that sustainability is not about doing less — it is about doing things smarter, better and more caring for our planet. So, to all the finalists, nominees, project coordinators and partners: thank you. Your work has made and is making a difference far beyond the projects themselves. You are helping build a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Europe. And to tonight's winners: congratulations. Your projects are a powerful reminder that local action can create European impact. Thank you and enjoy the evening. SPEECH/26/1260
Speech Brief