LIFE Programme — Environment, Climate and Nature

LIFE Programme — Environment, Climate and Nature

Funds European companies and organisations developing pilot, demonstration, or best-practice projects in climate, clean energy, environment, or biodiversity.

Eligibility · European Union

LIFE is the European Union's long-running environmental and climate funding programme (2021–2027 programming period), administered centrally by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). In Sweden, Naturvårdsverket (Swedish EPA) acts as an information and support point for Swedish applicants. Applications are evaluated and funded directly by CINEA — Naturvårdsverket does not award LIFE grants itself.

LIFE co-finances 60 to 95 percent of total eligible project costs. The most common rate is 60 percent, meaning you must secure the remaining 40 percent from other sources. Typical project budgets run from 15 to 30 million SEK (roughly 1.5–3 million EUR), but there is no official minimum or maximum budget. Very small projects are usually not competitive because they tend to lack EU-scale relevance. Project duration is typically 2 to 5 years, sometimes longer.

All legal entities in the EU can apply — companies, municipalities, research organisations, NGOs, and other bodies are all eligible. Swedish for-profit companies qualify directly. There is no requirement to be a non-profit or government body. Projects typically need a consortium of at least two organisations from different EU member states (or one organisation for some programme types), but this varies by call.

Applications open once a year, typically in spring. The 2026 round runs from 21 April to 22 September (16 September for the Clean Energy Transition sub-programme). You apply through CINEA's online portal at cinea.ec.europa.eu. The application process is substantial: plan two to three months for preparation, and consider engaging a specialist consultant. Applications are written in English. Naturvårdsverket offers expert project idea review for the Circular Economy and Climate sub-programmes — contact them before applying.

Practical notes: LIFE is competitive and selective. Your project must show it can be replicated or used by others across the EU — pure local projects rarely succeed. Pilot and demonstration projects with strong evidence of scalability tend to score well. The Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten) handles the Clean Energy Transition sub-programme queries in Sweden.