LIFE+ Strands
Life+ Nature & Biodiversity
The Nature and Biodiversity 
strand of the LIFE+ funding programme co-finances best practices or demonstration projects that contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and to the implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. Funding under this LIFE+ strand depends on the scope of the project together with the means proposed to meet its objectives.
LIFE+ Nature co-finances best practice or demonstration projects that promote the conservation of species targeted under the Birds and Habitats Directives, and also assists sustainable long-term investment in Natura 2000 sites. There is a maximum co-funding rate of 50% that may be extended to 75% if the project targets priority species.
LIFE+ Biodiversity targets those projects that aim to halt the loss of biodiversity as per Commission Communication (COM (2006) 216 final) "Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 – and beyond". A simple best practice project implementation is insufficient. Proposed projects must use innovative and/or demonstration measures that enhance biodiversity in terrestrial and/or marine areas irrespective of Natura 2000 status. A maximum co-funding rate of 50% applies.
A project may only qualify as either a Nature or a Biodiversity project, and cannot obtain funding under both.
LIFE+ Environmental Policy and Governance
LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance co-finances projects that contribute to:
- The implementation of Community environmental policy,
- The development of innovative policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments,
- The knowledge base as regards environment policy and legislation, and
- The monitoring of environmental pressures (including the long-term monitoring of forests and environmental interactions).
Some priority objectives may target one or more areas of action such as climate change, water, soil, waste and natural resources among others. A maximum co-funding rate of 50% applies. These projects are required to be either demonstration or innovation projects.
This strand overlaps with certain provisions of the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) . However the CIP also finances market oriented environmental activities, whereas LIFE+ Environmental Policy and Governance primarily focuses on those projects that are submitted by public sector applicants and that are not market oriented.
LIFE+ Information & Communication
LIFE+ Information & Communication co-finances projects that implement communication and awareness raising campaigns on environmental, nature protection or biodiversity conservation issues, as well as projects related to forest fire prevention (awareness raising, special training).
Projects must ensure that there is a regular, accessible and effective flow of information on environmental matters to assist in making the right policy decisions. Another priority of this strand is the dissemination of information, raising awareness and the development of skills on environmental matters. A maximum co-funding rate of 50% applies for projects under LIFE+ Information and Communication.