European Commission - Press release EU invests over €390 million in 135 new climate and environment projects Brussels, 19 October 2026 The European Commission has today granted more than €390 million to 135 new projects across Europe under the LIFE programme for environment and climate action . The allocated amount represents more than half of the €579 million total investment needs for these projects. The remaining ...
European Commission - Press release EU invests over €390 million in 135 new climate and environment projects Brussels, 19 October 2026 The European Commission has today granted more than €390 million to 135 new projects across Europe under the LIFE programme for environment and climate action . The allocated amount represents more than half of the €579 million total investment needs for these projects. The remaining funding comes from national, regional and local governments, public-private partnerships, businesses, project partners, and civil society organisations. LIFE projects play a significant role in the EU's transition to a clean, circular and resilient economy. They contribute to better preparedness and resilience for extreme weather events and to the EU's goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. This investment will have a lasting impact on our environment, economy, industry and the well-being of all Europeans. The projects will cover all areas of the LIFE programme, mobilising: Over €223 million (of which the EU will provide over €151 million) for 29 nature and biodiversity projects to restore and protect natural habitats and conserve the species that live there. Nearly €163 million (of which the EU will provide nearly €91 million) for 36 projects which contribute to a clean, circular, energy-efficient and climate-resilient economy while improving quality of life. Over €102 million (of which the EU will provide over €61 million) for 26 projects to strengthen climate resilience through adaptation and mitigation . Over €91 million (of which the EU will provide nearly €87 million) for 44 projects aimed at accelerating the clean energy transition . Examples of projects 29 projects from 16 Member States have been selected to support nature and biodiversity . They range from the €9.2 million LIFE COCON project to restore coastal sand dunes in Belgium, to Bulgaria's Diving Ducks LIFE – a €12.6 million project to conserve globally threatened diving ducks along the Black Sea-Mediterranean flyway. Other projects will also rescue and protect rare species, such as the sand jurinea ( LIFE for Jurinea , Czechia, €10.7 million); the Saimaa ringed seal ( LIFE SOS , Finland, €11.3 million); the Pyrenean desman, also called Iberian trumpet rat ( LIFE SAVE Desman , Spain, €17.6 million); and several species of vultures ( LIFE for VULTURES , Romania, €7.6 million, Bulgaria, €5.2 million). 36 projects from 13 Member States have been selected to promote a more circular economy and quality of life . The LIFE RESHAPE-D project, with a budget of €25.8 million, will reduce flood risk in Belgium's Dender Valley by restoring natural-water management processes. In Slovakia, the €4.4 million LIFE ECOPRESSURE project aims to improve air quality and reduces microplastics release using advanced real-time tire inflation technology. In the Netherlands, the LIFE Waterhub , with a budget of €11.1 million, will demonstrate an innovative, flexible wastewater treatment system. With a budget of €2 million, the LIFE MUMs project aims to reduce women's exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals. Among the 26 projects on climate resilience and mitigation , the €10 million CARENA LIFE project in Germany will advance nature-based carbon removal techniques. In Ireland, the €4.4 million LIFE FLOW project will integrate nature-based solutions to protect against intense rainfall and storms. With €5.9 million, the LIFE POSTFIRE project will support the Mediterranean region with post-wildfires restoration. In Austria, FGasFree LIFE €1.9 million project will develop refrigerated transport free from fluorinated gases and with €3.4 million, the LIFE CCC BUILD project in Finland will turn forestry and agricultural residues into carbon-storing building materials. With a combined budget of €7.8 million, three other projects aim to advance climate policy implementation, awareness and support EU climate law compliance. 44 new multi-country projects have been selected for funding to support the clean energy transition . These cover the EU and as well as LIFE-associated countries. For example, the €15.8 million LIFE EUCF City Facility 3.0 will cover all EU countries plus Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Ukraine, providing financial and technical assistance to local authorities to invest in sustainable energy. In Portugal, the €733,218 LIFE SET-M project will support the energy renovation of buildings owned by social solidarity institutions. Both LIFE RISE DHC in Croatia and LIFE GREETIN in Denmark, each with a budget of €2.1 million, will support investment in efficient new district heating and cooling systems in several EU countries. Background For more than 34 years, the LIFE programme has co-financed more than 6,700 environmental and climate action projects across the European Union and associated countries. The 135 projects announced today were selected from a record 1,095 applications submitted under the LIFE Calls for proposals 2025 , ranging from less than €650 000 to more than €15 million. Compared to last year, the funding allocated by the LIFE programme has increased by 9%. The current LIFE programme started in 2021 and runs until 2027, with a budget of €5.43 billion. Grants financed under the LIFE Programme are managed by CINEA, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency . For more information Project summaries LIFE Programme IP/26/2184 Quote(s): "From nature-based carbon removal and flood protection to post-wildfire restoration and innovative carbon-storing building materials, these projects turn climate goals into practical solutions. They help make Europe more resilient to climate impacts, strengthen its competitiveness and reduce its dependence on external resources, while supporting the implementation of EU climate policy." Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth - 19/10/2026 "The impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and unsustainable use of resources are increasingly challenging the prosperity and wellbeing of European citizens. Today’s announcement confirms the Commission’s ongoing commitment to a sustainable future. The quality of the selected projects illustrates the level of determination and professionalism of our partners across the EU. I look forward to seeing how these projects build on them to create a resilient society." Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy - 19/10/2026 <@rel_link@> Press contacts: Anna-Kaisa ITKONEN (+32 2 295 75 01) Maëlys DREUX (+32 2 295 46 73) Ana CRESPO PARRONDO (+32 2 298 13 25) Cristiana MARCHITELLI (+32 2 298 94 07) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email
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