Key dates for the LIFE 2025 programme

With just over a month and a half until the publication of the LIFE 2025 programme, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) announced the key dates for this year yesterday. LIFE is the only European Union instrument exclusively dedicated to climate action and the environment.

24 April 2025

On this day, the calls for the LIFE 2025 programme will be published.

From 13 to 15 May 2025

CINEA will hold its information days on the LIFE 2025 programme during these dates.

4 September 2025

This will be the deadline for submitting concept notes for Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP) and Strategic Nature Projects (SNAP).

23 September 2025

This will be the last day to submit Standard Action Projects (SAP) for circular economy and quality of life, SAPs for nature and biodiversity, and SAPs for climate change mitigation and adaptation. On the same day, it will also be the deadline for requesting Coordination and Support Action Grants (CSA) for the Clean Energy Transition sub-programme, Technical Assistance (TA) for the preparation of SIPs and SNAPs, and TA for replication. Additionally, this will be the final date for submitting LIFE Preparatory Projects addressing ad hoc Legislative and Policy Priorities (PLP).

25 September 2025 (to be confirmed)

Deadline for Specific Operating Grant Agreements (SGA OG) for NGOs.

5 March 2026

This will be the last day to submit full proposals for SNAPs and SIPs.

Brief glossary of the LIFE Programme

The LIFE Programme is the European Union’s key funding tool dedicated to environmental and climate initiatives for the 2021-2027 period. It plays a vital role in supporting the European Green Deal, which seeks to reshape the EU into a fair and thriving society with a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. The goal is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while ensuring that economic growth is not reliant on resource consumption. Additionally, the programme focuses on safeguarding and enhancing the EU’s natural assets and protecting citizens’ health and well-being from environmental and climate-related threats.

Let’s explore the essential terminology needed to better understand this programme.

Operating Grants (OG). Grants that support the operation of non-profit entities involved in the development, implementation, and enforcement of EU legislation and policies, focusing primarily on the environment or climate action, including energy transition, in line with the objectives of the LIFE Programme.

Other Action Grants (OAG). Grants for actions necessary to achieve the general objective of the LIFE Programme, including coordination and support actions aimed at capacity building, dissemination of information and knowledge, and raising awareness to support the transition to renewable energy and increased energy efficiency.

Standard Action Projects (SAP). Projects, other than Strategic Integrated Projects or Strategic Nature Projects or Technical Assistance projects, that pursue the specific objectives of the LIFE Programme.

Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP). Projects that implement, at regional, multi-regional, national, or transnational levels, environmental or climate strategies or action plans developed by Member State authorities and required by specific EU environmental, climate, or energy legislation or policy. These projects ensure stakeholder involvement and promote coordination with at least one other source of EU, national, or private funding, as well as their mobilisation.

Strategic Nature Projects (SNAP). Projects that support the achievement of the EU’s nature and biodiversity objectives by implementing coherent action programmes in Member States, aiming to integrate these objectives and priorities into other policies and funding instruments, including through the coordinated implementation of the Priority Action Frameworks adopted under Directive 92/43/EEC.

Technical Assistance Projects (TA). Projects that support capacity building for participation in Standard Action Projects, the preparation of Strategic Nature Projects and Strategic Integrated Projects, and preparation for access to other EU financial instruments or other measures necessary to prepare the scaling up or replication of results from other projects funded by the programme, its predecessors, or other programmes, to pursue the objectives set out in Article 3 of the LIFE Programme. These projects may also include capacity building related to the activities of Member State authorities for effective participation in the LIFE Programme.