100% of the projects presented by Zabala Innovation in the LIFE 2023 Climate sub-programme have been financed

Experience, good practices and in-depth knowledge of LIFE and other European programmes reward Zabala Innovation with excellent results. In the 2023 edition of rhis EU programme dedicated exclusively to environmental issues, the consultancy managed to get the three projects presented in the sub-programme dedicated to mitigation and adaptation to climate change financed, which represents a success rate of 100%. These projects represent one fifth of all proposals funded under this line.

In the LIFE sub-programme dedicated to Circular Economy and Quality of Life, the consultancy achieved a success rate of 50%, with two of the four projects submitted being funded, while a third is on the reserve list, having scored above the established cut-off. The overall success rates were around 24% for the Climate sub-programme proposals and 21% for the Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme proposals.

“These results will mean a return for our clients of more than 14 million euros, and a total of 28 entities will benefit from them,” said Maite Zazpe, leader of the Environment knowledge area at Zabala Innovation.

Zazpe stresses that these “excellent results” demonstrate, once again, the “remarkable experience” that the consultancy firm’s teams have acquired in the LIFE programme over more than two decades. “Zabala Innovation is not only a leader in the submission of proposals, but also in the subsequent management of this type of project,” he stresses. The consultancy firm is currently supporting 15 projects for the period 2021-2027.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation sub-programme

The LIFE sub-programme focused on climate change mitigation supports demonstration projects covering key areas such as greenhouse gas reduction in energy-intensive industries, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.

In the area of climate change adaptation, this LIFE sub-programme co-finances projects addressing key issues such as climate change adaptation in cities, nature-based solutions, sustainable water management in drought-prone areas and flood and coastal management, among others.

Circular Economy and Quality of Life Sub-programme

This sub-programme covers a wide range of issues such as the recycling of electrical and electronic waste, textiles, plastics, etc., air and noise pollution, soil decontamination, reduction of chemical products, etc. with the aim of contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of EU citizens.

Nature and Biodiversity sub-programme

Projects funded under this sub-programme implement effective measures to achieve tangible improvements: area-based conservation and restoration measures (space for nature), and additional specific measures targeting species and ecosystems/habitats with measures other than area-based measures (species and habitat protection/safeguard). It supports projects that contribute to the implementation of the EU Birds and Habitats directives, and in particular the development and management of the Natura 2000 network, and the IAS Regulation, and supports achieving the objectives of the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030, part of the Green Deal.

Forthcoming dates

Last month, the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) announced the closing dates for the 2024 calls. Details of LIFE 2024 will be published on the European Commission’s funding and opportunities portal on 18 April, the launch date. CINEA will hold virtual information sessions from 23 to 26 April.

Context

LIFE was originally an acronym for the French name L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement. The programme was launched with the support of the European Parliament in May 1992. In its first phase, until 1995, the Programme helped finance 731 environmental projects.

Throughout the 1990s, LIFE helped to draw up inventories of potential Natura 2000 sites, thus forging a remarkably close link with the Natura 2000 network, which protects the most threatened habitats and species across Europe. The funds were used to develop a system for the design and adoption of management plans.

Between 1992 and 2006, LIFE invested 1.36 billion euros in 2,753 projects covering 40 countries and territories. Between 2007 and 2020, LIFE spent 5.54 billion euros.

For the period 2021-2027, the LIFE budget will reach 5.45 billion euros to cover four sub-programmes: Nature and Biodiversity, Circular Economy and Quality of Life, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Clean Energy Transition.